Logo - The Possums baby and toddler sleep program.Logo - The Possums baby and toddler sleep program.
menu-icon-libraryfull programsmenu-icon-audioaudio program
what is the possums sleep program?building this program from the scienceresearch that shows it workstestimonials from parents
speak to dr pam
login-iconlogin

Welcome back!

Forgot password
sign up
search

Search programs

Sleep Emergency icon

Sleep Emergency


  • Read here first if you are in a toddler sleep emergency
  • Is your toddler having trouble sleeping because of gut pain?
  • Make sure your toddler starts each day at the same time when you're in a sleep emergency
  • If you're breastfeeding and in a toddler sleep emergency, consider asking another loving adult to take over for a time
  • If you are in a sleep emergency and your toddler doesn't breastfeed, ask another loving adult to take over for a couple of nights (at least)
  • When you're in a sleep emergency and lying awake even though your toddler is asleep

Next article

Sign up now
  • Sleep Emergency
  • S3: Toddler sleep emergency (12-36 months)

If you are in a sleep emergency and your toddler doesn't breastfeed, ask another loving adult to take over for a couple of nights (at least)

Dr Pamela Douglas22nd of Jul 202323rd of May 2024

asian toddler sleeping

These six topics in the It's an emergency section of The Possums Sleep Program are a place to start if you're in a toddler sleep crisis. To really turn things around over the next couple of weeks, so that the days and nights are as enjoyable as possible, and you're no longer so utterly exhausted and sleep-deprived, please go to the whole of The Possums Toddler Sleep Program, starting here. Or you might like to go to the Brief & simple version first, starting here.

If you are the primary carer of a toddler, and you find yourself in a sleep emergency, have another loving adult take over in the nights, if you possibly can. Then you – as the primary carer – would need to sleep in a quiet place, perhaps with earplugs in so that you cannot hear the toddler.

Your small person probably won't like changes in the night, telling you this with crying and screaming. However, you might have now decided it is time to teach your toddler something new in the night - that night time love comes from someone else, too. You may be surprised at how quickly your little one adapts to her other parent or loving adult, who will still be cuddling and soothing and singing your toddler back to sleep.

Regardless of who does night wakes going forward at night, it’s still important to deal with the underlying problems that have resulted in your toddler waking excessively at night in the first place. This means working through The Possums Toddler Sleep Program over the next couple of weeks.

If you have a toddler and you have been using the bottle in the night, this may not be the time to wean from the bottle. We don’t want to add to your family’s challenges right now. But it is certainly a time, if you possibly can, to have another loving adult take over for at least a few nights and hopefully more, while you experiment with this program.

It's also a time to focus on workability, not perfection.

Finished

share this article

Next up in Toddler sleep emergency (12-36 months)

When you're in a sleep emergency and lying awake even though your toddler is asleep

worried woman

These six topics in the It's an emergency section of The Possums Sleep Program are a place to start if you're in a toddler sleep crisis. To really turn things around over the next couple of weeks, so that the days and nights are as enjoyable as possible, and you're no longer so utterly exhausted and sleep-deprived, please go to the whole of The Possums Toddler Sleep Program, starting here. Or you might like to go to the Brief & simple version first, starting here.

It's awful to find yourself lying awake in the night, desperate for sleep, knowing your toddler might…

Keep reading
logo-possums
decoration

About us

AboutCode of ethicsSpeak to Dr Pam

Programs

Browse sleep programsAudio programsGet advice

Help & Support

FAQsContact us

Legal

Privacy policyTerms & conditions

Get sleep tips and Possums updates straight to your inbox

Receive tips, updates, offers and more from Possums. We respect your privacy, and we'll never spam you. Unsubscribe anytime.

Dr Pam logo

© Dr Pamela Douglas 2025

Visit to learn more about the Possums project