Teaching babies to sleep is safe and improves parental wellbeing
Good sleep is important for health and immunity, and these techniques are helping babies achieve the sleep they need to grow and develop well, along with decreasing symptoms of maternal depression.
Our research and resources ensures parents can choose from proven strategies to put their babies to bed safely and with confidence.
Good sleep is important for health and immunity, and these techniques are helping babies achieve the sleep they need to grow and develop well, along with decreasing symptoms of maternal depression.
Our research and resources ensures parents can...
Good sleep is important for health and immunity, and these techniques are helping babies achieve the sleep they need to grow and develop well, along with decreasing symptoms of maternal depression.
Our research and resources ensures parents can choose from proven strategies to put their babies to bed safely and with confidence.
What's the child health challenge?
Sleeping problems are common in babies with over one-third having trouble settling to sleep at the start of the night, waking overnight, or both.
Sleep-deprived new parents can become exhausted and postnatal depression is twice as likely in mums who say their babies’ sleep is a problem for them than in those whose infants sleep well.
A diversity of opinions and advice can leave parents feeling confused, guilty, afraid, and inadequate.
Our research
In our research, we found that from about six months of age, babies can be taught to fall asleep by themselves and not cry out for mum or dad when they wake during sleep using the strategies of ‘controlled comforting’ or ‘camping out.’
Our research at the Centre for Community Child Health, MCRI, showed these techniques were effective and safe for well infants aged six months or older. Our Kids Sleep Study, which followed up with the families five years later, found that the strategies caused no long-term harm to the development, health, or wellbeing of the children.
Publication
Hiscock H, Bayer J, Gold L, Hampton A, Ukoumunne OC, Wake M. Improving infant sleep and maternal mental health: a cluster randomised trial. Arch Dis Child. 2007 Nov;92(11):952-8. doi: 10.1136/adc.2006.099812. Epub 2006 Dec 7. PMID: 17158146; PMCID: PMC2083609.
Helping families sleep better
Our evidence-based sleep intervention program is now embedded in Victoria’s free Maternal and Child Health Service as an eight-month intervention and is available online to health professionals and parents throughout Australia and internationally. These resources ensure parents can choose from proven strategies to put their babies to bed safely and with confidence.
Sleep with Kip ™
MCRI’s proven infant sleep strategies are reaching more families through practical resources.
In July 2022, MCRI launched the Sleep with Kip™ storybook series, translating decades of research into engaging stories that help children and caregivers build healthy sleep habits (news).
In April 2023, a partnership with Cotton On Kids extended the reach of Sleep with Kip™, making evidence‑based sleep strategies more accessible for families.
More resources
Sleep newsroom
Multi-pronged plan to address childhood obesity crisis
New study tracks effects of world first social media ban on teens
Upskilling pharmacists in child health care
Students’ blood pressure checked at school to help lower heart disease risk
MCRI partners with Cotton On Kids to support a good night’s sleep
Professor Harriet Hiscock & research team included in “Ten of the Best”
Simple nasal spray significantly reduces snoring and breathing difficulties in children
Sleep with Kip: Bedtime stories incorporate scientifically proven sleep strategies
MIST+ trial
Poor mental and physical health in pregnancy linked to infant sleep problems
