Intensive, gentle support for parents struggling with sleep, feeding or toddler behaviour
When exhaustion, unsettled sleep or feeding challenges start to take over daily life, you don’t have to keep pushing through alone. Karitane’s Residential Parenting Service gives NSW families a 2–4 night stay in a supportive, nurturing environment where you receive intensive, wraparound help from our child and family health professionals.
Whether you’re struggling with sleepless nights, feeding difficulties, toddler behaviour, or feeling overwhelmed or anxious — we’re here with you every step of the way.
This service is free for Medicare card holders and is also available as a Virtual Residential Parenting Service if you can’t attend in person.
What is the Karitane Residential Parenting Service?
Our 2–4 night residential stay provides 24-hour support, guidance and encouragement from a multidisciplinary team including child and family health nurses, psychologists, social workers, paediatricians and psychiatrists.
Together, we partner with you to navigate challenges such as:
- Frequent night waking
- Difficulties settling your baby
- Feeding challenges (breastfeeding or bottle)
- Introducing solids
- Establishing or adjusting routines
- Unsettled behaviour
- Toddler tantrums or big emotions
- Parental exhaustion, overwhelm, anxiety or postnatal depression
- Adjusting to life as a new parent
- Supporting the wellbeing of the whole family
During your stay, we’ll work with you to set goals tailored to your family’s needs, share practical strategies, and support you as you put them into practice — day and night.
Who is the service for?
Our Residential Parenting Service supports families with children from birth to 5 years of age who are experiencing more complex or persistent parenting challenges and benefit from intensive support.
Families come to us when they feel:
- Their baby or toddler’s sleep is severely disrupted
- Feeding feels stressful or inconsistent
- Their child’s behaviour feels overwhelming
- They’re unsure what else to try
- They want to understand their child’s cues and needs
- Their own wellbeing is being impacted
No problem is “too small” or “not serious enough”. If it’s affecting you or your child’s wellbeing, we’re here to help.
What happens during your stay?
You and your child stay in our Early Parenting Centre located at Campbelltown Hospital, with support available day and night.
Your stay includes:
Individualised assessments
We listen to your concerns and take time to understand your family goals. Together, we create a plan that suits your baby or toddler’s needs and works for your family.
24-hour support
Team members work alongside you during feeds, settling periods, routines, and overnight.
Responsive sleep & settling guidance
We teach gentle, evidence-based strategies that follow your child’s cues and support healthy sleep habits — never controlled crying.
Feeding support
Our experienced team helps with breastfeeding, mixed feeding and feeding. You’ll learn what to expect and how to feel more confident at home.
Routine and daily rhythm planning
We help you understand your child’s needs and establish predictable, flexible routines that support sleep and wellbeing.
Toddler behaviour support
If your toddler is struggling with big feelings, tantrums, aggression or separation anxiety, we provide strategies grounded in connection, development and emotional safety.
Mental health support for parents
Specialist support is available if you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure — including help with postnatal depression or anxiety.
Group education sessions
Connect with other parents and learn about sleep, feeding, development, behaviour and wellbeing in a supportive group setting.
Partner and family involvement
Partners are encouraged to stay or visit frequently. Families with more than one child can be accommodated.
Post-stay follow-up
Follow-up support is available through our Karitane Careline and we are always here to support you on your parenting journey.
What kinds of challenges can we help with?
Sleep difficulties
If your baby or toddler is waking often, finding it hard to settle, or only sleeping in your arms, we’ll work alongside you to support your child’s sleep in a way that feels right for your family.Feeding
We can help with breastfeeding challenges, low supply concerns, , mixed feeding or transitioning to solids.
Toddler behaviour
We support families with tantrums, aggression, big feelings, sleep resistance, and difficulties with routines.
Parental overwhelm & postnatal mental health
You don’t have to navigate these feelings alone. Our team can help you understand what’s going on and support you with practical strategies and therapeutic care.
Where is the Residential Parenting Service located?
Karitane Early Parenting Centre – Campbelltown
Located within Campbelltown Hospital (Queen St), our residential unit provides:
- Private family rooms
- 24-hour clinical and emotional support
- Space for partners to stay
- First Nations friendly environments
- Group rooms for education and connection
- Culturally inclusive care
Virtual Residential Parenting Service
If you can’t attend in person, our Virtual Residential Parenting Service provides the same evidence-based guidance and support through video coaching from your home.
You can read more about our virtual options for help here.
