Realistic expectations for infant and toddler sleep

Many parents find infant and toddler sleep challenging and it’s common to wonder whether they need to do more to support healthy sleeping patterns.

Unfortunately, most sleep advice is provided by people without qualifications in normal infant sleep and behaviour. Therefore, while well-intentioned, this advice may not reflect current scientific evidence, or consider how brain development influences sleep, leading to unrealistic expectations.

When a child does not meet these expectations, it is easy to believe they have a sleep problem which can cause unnecessary family stress. Understanding normal infant sleep can reduce stress and overwhelm, and support close, loving relationships.

Our resource is aimed at helping parents to understand normal infant sleep, and how to support their family’s sleep.