Gentle, Evidence Based Baby Sleep Support from Karitane
If you’ve been googling sleep training at 2am while holding a tired baby, you’re not alone.
For over 100 years, Karitane has supported Australian families through the first 2,000 days. Our sleep and settling guidance is evidence-based, and delivered by qualified Child and Family Health Professionals who work with thousands of parents and caregivers every year.
Caring for a baby who won’t sleep may be overwhelming, emotional and exhausting. It’s completely normal to look for answers.
Many parents/carers tell us they feel pressure to “train” their baby to sleep or worry they’re doing something wrong. At Karitane, we take a different approach. We don’t teach babies to sleep through crying or strict schedules. Instead, we help you to be responsive to your baby and understand your baby’s cues, their sleep cycles, their development, and how to build a gentle sleep routine that works for your family.
Together, we’ll know what to do — because every baby is different, and parents/carers should never have to learn alone.
What Parents and caregivers Really Mean When They Search “Sleep Training”
These searches often start the same way — “sleep training baby” or “sleep training newborn” — because parents/carers are often tired, overwhelmed, and looking for a solution that feels gentle and realistic.
When parents/carers type things like:
- baby sleep training
- gentle sleep training
- how to get my baby to sleep
- baby won’t sleep
- baby isn’t self-settling
what they’re really asking is: “How can I help my baby sleep better in a way that feels right for us?”
Most families simply want:
- calmer nights
- support with settling strategies
- help understanding their baby’s sleep
- reassurance that they’re not doing anything wrong
Many parents/carers are looking for gentle guidance that feels safe, responsive and aligned with their baby’s development.
The term “sleep training” often refers to helping babies fall asleep independently — a helpful skill — but it can also be associated with methods like controlled crying, which we do not recommend. These approaches don’t reflect the gentle, responsive, relationship-centred strategies most families want.
At Karitane, we focus on responsive settling — not training babies. Our aim is to support families.
What Is Responsive Settling?
Responsive settling is Karitane’s gentle, evidence-based approach to helping babies sleep — grounded in connection, consistency and emotional safety.
Parents/Caregivers often find responsive settling after searching for “sleep training newborn,” only to discover a gentler, evidence-based approach that supports connection and healthy sleep development.
Responsive settling focuses on:
- Observing, understanding and recognising your baby’s cues, tired signs and sleep cycles
- Creating a predictable, calming sleep pattern
- Offering comfort, reassurance and support as baby learns to settle
- Building secure attachment and emotional regulation
- Helping parents/caregivers feel confident and calm
Responsive settling helps babies feel safe and supported. Over time, this encourages longer sleep stretches and healthy sleep patterns — including, when developmentally ready, sleeping through the night.
All Karitane sleep information evidence based delivered by our Child and family Health professionals
How Responsive Settling Differs from Sleep Training
| Sleep Training (common perception) | Responsive Settling (Karitane) |
|---|
| Focus on independent sleep | Focus on connection & emotional safety |
| May involve crying without comfort | Responsive and nurturing |
| Rigid routines | Flexible patterns and routines based on cues |
| Quick behaviour change | Long-term wellbeing & secure attachment |
| Parent as “trainer” | Parent/caregiver as partner and comforter |
Parents/Caregivers tell us they want gentle, responsive, and supportive strategies. Responsive settling offers exactly that.
Why Your Baby May Not Be Sleeping
(And why it’s not your fault)
There are many typical developmental reasons a baby may find sleep difficult:
Feeding patterns
Growth spurts, cluster feeding or feeding challenges can affect settling.
Sleep cycles
Babies have shorter sleep cycles that may vary from 20-50 minutes.(They may wake between cycles
Developmental leaps
Rolling, crawling, teething and separation awareness may temporarily disrupt sleep.
Sleep environment
Light, temperature, noise and overstimulation may impact settling.
How baby is being put to bed
Some babies need support while learning to settle.
If you’d like to talk through what’s happening for your baby, our Child and family Health professionals can help — free:
Karitane Careline – 1300 CARING (227 464)
Gentle Sleep Tips to Try Tonight
These small, responsive steps can make settling easier:
Watch for tired signs and be responsive when you see them
- Yawning, staring, jerky movements, rubbing eyes, fussing.
Create a calming sleep routine
- Once you recognise some tired signs you might start preparing baby for bed. Over time your baby may start to recognise the cues you are doing in preparation for bed;
- You might try a loose swaddle if not rolling yet, a sleep suit with arms out if they are rolling, calming music/ a cuddle/ dim the lights/close the blinds, a bath
- A predictable bedtime helps baby feel safe.
Place baby on their baby to sleep, at the bottom end of the cot, following safe sleep guidelines. Place baby down drowsy, not asleep.
- This helps them learn to fall asleep in their safe sleep space.
Start off small
- Try some soothing words, Gentle patting, soft “shh-shh” sounds or light rocking.
- Try rhythmic gentle soothing
Keep the sleep environment simple
- Dim lights, comfortable temperature, quiet space, safe cot.
Be kind to yourself
- Parental rest matters too. Exhaustion makes everything harder.
A Safe and Soothing Sleep Environment
A supportive environment helps babies settle more easily. Try checking:
- Room temperature comfortable
- Dim lighting (avoid blue lights at night)
- Cot free from toys, pillows or bumpers
- Baby placed on their back
- Quiet room or soft consistent sound
- Wrap or sleeping bag appropriate for age
Learn more in our Baby Sleep hub.
Sleep Guidance by Age and Stage
Newborns (0–12 weeks)
Newborn sleep can be unpredictable — and that’s normal.
Tips:
- Be responsive and look for feeding cues and offer feeds when baby is hungry. Small frequent feeds are normal Offer frequent feeds
- Try a flexible feed–play–sleep rhythm
- Hold baby until drowsy
- Use gentle patting, gentle rocking or soft singing
- Try wrapping until baby begins to roll
Newborn settling support: Karitane Virtual Home Visits
3–4 Months: Understanding Sleep Cycles
Babies this age begin linking sleep cycles, but still need support.
Typical sleep:
- 14–15 hours across 24 hours
- 3–5 wakes overnight
- Short daytime naps (30–90 min)
Try:
- Predictable bedtime routine
- Noticing early tired cues
- Calming environment
- Responsive resettling between cycles
6 Months: Supporting Longer Stretches
By around six months, some babies may begin sleeping through the night, but many will still wake for feeds or comfort.
Try:
- Continue being responsive to your baby feeding cues
- Some babies will now have more predictable times they settle for bedtime
- Place baby down awake but calm
- Gentle “shh-pat” settling
- Give your baby Reassurance if your baby is upset/distressed
If learning to settle is challenging, we can help.
Sleep & Settling Webinars
Sleep & Settling Events
9 Months: Separation Awareness & Night Waking
Babies this age may experience:
- Sleep regressions
- Separation anxiety
- Increased night waking
Try:
- Calm reassurance
- Gentle resettling
- Keeping night interactions low-key
Learn more: Karitane Parenting Centres
Toddlers & Beyond
(My 2-year-old still isn’t sleeping through the night)
This is more common than you think.
Try:
- Calm, predictable bedtime
- Reassurance if upset/distressed
- Gently returning them to bed
- Staying until calm if needed
If things feel tough, support is here: Residential Stay Program
Real Parent Stories
“Tzachi was waking up to 13 times a night and sleeping for only 20 minutes at a time during the day. I was so lost and desperate. Karitane genuinely changed our life.”
→ https://karitane.com.au/parent-story/yael-and-menachem/
You’re not alone — and you don’t need to wait until things feel impossible.
When to Seek Extra Support
Reach out if you feel:
- exhausted or overwhelmed
- unsure what your baby needs
- anxious about their crying or sleep
- like nothing is working
Asking for support early, helps you to get the support when you need it most.. Reaching out is an act of strength.
Karitane Sleep Support Services
We offer responsive, evidence-based, sleep support for families:
Free Careline
Talk to a Karitane nurse for guidance.
https://karitane.com.au/service/careline-services/
Virtual Home Visits
Personalised settling help from home.
https://karitane.com.au/service/virtual-home-visits/
Parenting Centres
Day programs offering hands-on support.
https://karitane.com.au/service/parenting-centres/
Residential Stay
Intensive support for more complex sleep needs.
https://karitane.com.au/service/residential-service/
Sleep & Settling Webinars and Events
Learn from our expert Child and Family Health Nurses.
https://karitane.com.au/parents/parenting-webinars/
https://karitane.com.au/events/categories/sleep-and-settling/
You’re doing an incredible job — even on the days it feels hard.
We’re here when you need us.
