Full library of educational articles and videos
The Possums Baby and Toddler Sleep Program is the original, evidence-based alternative to infant sleep training that makes the days and nights as easy as possible for your whole family by working with your baby’s evolutionary biology, not against it.
It’s built by Dr Pamela Douglas out of her 30+ peer reviewed research papers and four decades of clinical experience, and shown to work in research studies.
The Possums Baby and Toddler Sleep Program is the original, groundbreaking approach to infant sleep by Dr Pamela Douglas, transforming families’ lives since 2011. It offers an accessible, evidence-based set of programs - a library to guide you through every aspect of newborn, baby, and toddler sleep. It provides you with uniquely effective, holistic care.
Possums flips a lot of the conventional sleep advice you receive upside down. We aim to help you trust both your baby and yourself. We aim to empower you. We aim to help you grow joy in life with your baby.
Baby sleep safety
Sensory motor development
Parent mental health
Breastfeeding challenges
Crying and fussing in babies
Little people + food
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Full library of educational articles and videos
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Audio of the essential programs
Many sleep programs offer advice that doesn't align with the latest science, often leaving parents stressed and overwhelmed. The Possums Sleep Program changes that.
Created by Dr Pamela Douglas, this gentle and effective approach is built out of 25 years of research and over 30 peer-reviewed research papers. It translates the science of infant sleep into practical tools that work with your baby's natural rhythms, helping you feel confident and supported.
Updated regularly with the latest evidence, The Possums Sleep Program is more than just sleep advice—it’s a proven method to reduce stress, build trust, help your little one sleep better, and create a healthier future for your family.
Learn more about the paradigm-shifting science behind Possums.
Your baby or toddler's healthy sleep patterns — without leaving your little one to cry
Your child's secure attachment
Your mental and emotional wellbeing
Breastfeeding, or evolutionarily-aligned bottle feeding if you aren't breastfeeding
Your child's sensory-motor development
The findings of the present study provide initial evidence for the effectiveness of the Possums Sleep Intervention.
Whittingham et al (2020) 'Evaluating the “possums” health professional training in parent–infant sleep', Infant Mental Health Journal, 41(5), pp. 618-631.
...Acceptable to parents and perceived by them to align parent and infant needs, improve their quality of life, and reduce their focus on perceived infant sleep problems.
Ball et al (2018) 'The Possums Infant Sleep Program: parents' perspectives on a novel parent-infant sleep intervention in Australia', Sleep Health: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation, 4(6), pp. 519-526.
... a clear positive effect on the quality of emotional availability in the relationship, at least as perceived by mothers. As such, the intervention appears to have a positive effect on the environment that supports good sleep.
Closson et al (2020) 'Evaluation of possums sleep intervention: A pilot feasibility study', Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 10(2), pp. 15–22.
... a promising tool for promoting parental attitude and behaviour-change, that aims to adjust parental expectations and reduce negative thinking around infant sleep, promote responsive infant care in the face of infant-related sleep disruption and fatigue, and support parental well-being during the first year of parenthood.
Ball et al (2020) 'Development and evaluation of "Sleep, Baby & You"—An approach to supporting parental well-being and responsive infant caregiving', Plos One, 15(8), e0237240.
The Possum infant sleep program provided equivalent positive results on sleep parameters compared to usual care while advocating a more cued response. The critical difference was evident in sustained breastfeeding.
Öztürk, et al (2021) 'Possums-based parental education for infant sleep: cued care resulting in sustained breastfeeding', European Journal of Pediatrics, 180(6), pp. 1769–1776.
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Sleep science basics
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Sleep is under the control of the two sleep regulators, which are the body clock and sleep pressure. The body clock is set by a consistent wake-up time, and sleep pressure is built by living days full of activity and rich sensory motor nourishment – which is generally found outside the home.
Sleep science and naps
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The research tells us that babies often need a lot less daytime sleep than we think. Long blocks of sleep during the day can result in excessive night waking a few weeks down the track. Your baby will take the sleep they need during the day on the go if they really need it, in the midst of light noise and activity. We suggest focusing on creating days which you as a parent enjoys (outside the home), focused on baby’s rich sensory motor nourishment rather than naps, as this makes both the days and nights much easier.
Toward independent nights
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It’s biologically normal for your baby to need your physical presence and comfort when they wake. From the beginning of time, human babies and toddlers have slept up close to their mothers’ or other loving adults’ bodies. It’s safest to sleep your baby in the same room as you are in, day or night, throughout the first six to twelve months of life. This might be in a bassinet, cot, or side-car cot. It might also be in your bed (as long as you and your family don’t have particular vulnerabilities which make this unsafe. You can find out when it’s definitely not safe to bedshare here. Safe co-sleeping also makes it easier to manage baby’s normal night waking, as you feed your baby back to sleep with the breast or bottle. It’s up to each unique family to decide when they want to stop bed sharing, and families generally find a transitionary arrangement works best.
Meeting baby's sensory motor needs
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The best way to ensure your baby goes to sleep quickly at night is by setting a regular get up time (so their body clock is set) and by making sure the days and evenings are filled with rich sensory motor nourishment and adventure, so that their sleep pressure is high enough when it’s time for bed.
Sleep science and naps
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Most commonly, babies don’t sleep because of disruptions to their circadian clock or lack of sleep pressure, not because of things like gut pain, or overtiredness or overstimulation, though you might often hear these said. For example, the circadian clock is commonly disrupted by long blocks of sleep during the day, which are promoted by sleep training approaches. We suggest working through The Possums Sleep Program to learn more.
Night-time sleep science
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The research tells us that most babies, and plenty of toddlers too, wake every couple of hours during the night and call out for their parents. This reality can be difficult for parents to hear. But families tend to adapt quickly once they realise this is a normal part of life and that what matters most is that everyone gets back to sleep quickly after waking. The research has also proven now that breastfeeding women are not getting less sleep at night. On the other hand, excessive night waking is not sustainable, and requires parents to take the steps of a reset, which are explained in The Possums Sleep Program.
The NDC programme was a lifeline for us... It changed our views and routines entirely and thereby it changed our worlds... The NDC programme brought happiness back into our lives
Marthe, Netherlands
I cannot overstate how helpful Dr Pam's teachings were for me and my family.
Lara, Australia
Thank you Pam, you've saved my sanity and gave me a sense of power in a time I felt powerless. Your work is life changing.
Hayley, Australia
Dr Pam gave me the greatest gift that anybody could ask for and that is enjoyment of the early months with my first child. This has benefited us both more than I can describe.
Fionnghuala, Ireland
You have changed my life - I am free.
Katie, Australia
Dr Pam's work is revolutionary! ... she interprets the science to give parents the confidence to observe and enjoy parenting and their babies.
Romany, Australia
I was feeling so overwhelmed and inundated by different sources of conflicting advice... (Dr. Douglas') approach to baby sleep and daytime activities was such a godsend for me in those infant months.
Sarah, Canada
Nothing prepares you for parenthood. But when you're there, full of questions about your little new person, what a lifesaver to find you! Thank you Dr Pam.
Claire, UK
I will be eternally grateful for the knowledge and skills to parent my child in the way that he needed me, rather than by outdated methods with no evidence base.
Lynda, Australia
Shortly after the birth of my son, I became completely overwhelmed with the mainstream advice I'd been given regarding sleep... When I discovered the Possums Sleep Program by Dr Pam, everything changed.
Katherine, Australia
Dr Pam's work was a breath of fresh air among all the information I was finding myself inundated with as a first time new parent
Ashleigh, Australia
Dr Pam's Possums program has completely changed my mindset regarding my baby's sleep... I'm so much more relaxed about my son's sleep. I'm sleeping better. He's sleeping better and my stress and anxiety has lessened. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.
Amelia, UK
Dr Pam's work completely transformed the way I care for my children. Her work on sleep, breastfeeding and tuning into your own values has brought so much more joy and ease into my parenting journey.
Allanah, Australia
Dr Pam's work has been transformative for me as a first time mum.
Brenna, Australia
Absolutely life changing! It just makes sense and its reassuring knowing it's based on the latest research.
Meg, Australia
Thank God a friend recommended Dr Pam to me when I was a confused, tired, and worried new mum.
Sera, Japan
The NDC philosophy provides a framework and tools to draw upon and apply to your family context. It isn't rigid and allows for individuality. An absolute blessing in the cascade of 'advice' out there, particularly on social media.
Sarah, Australia
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