Brand New Little People

Dr. Fallon Cook breaks down the three core factors that influence nighttime sleep in babies and toddlers - leave one unaddressed and those night wakes will continue 🫩 Tune in to identify the missing factor that stands between you and better nights. ➕ Plus hear answers to 8 brilliant parent questions Need support? ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs and add on a coaching call with Dr Fallon for extra support! 🏢 Prefer an appointment? E xplore appointment options with our team of practitioners. 🔍 Search our index of parent questions here Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

In this episode, Dr Fallon shares practical parenting hacks for stress-free Book Week costumes, along with expert advice on sleep and settling challenges for babies and toddlers. 🔍 Search our index of parent questions here Books mentioned in this episode include: Ruby Red Shoes by Kate Knapp All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors by Davina Bell Under the Love Umbrella by Davina Bell Back to Sleep by Zoe Foster Blake Need support? ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs and add on a coaching call with Dr Fallon for extra support! 🏢 Prefer an appointment? E xplore appointment options with our team of practitioners. Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Is your toddler fighting their nap like it's a personal insult? Then you might be wondering if it's time to drop that final nap. In this episode Dr Fallon (PhD) shows you exactly how and when to do it. 🔍 Search our index of parent questions here Need support? ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs and add on a coaching call with Dr Fallon for extra support! 🏢 Prefer an appointment? E xplore appointment options with our team of practitioners. Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

If your little one has decided a late bedtime and a long sleep in each day is their vibe, then this episode is for you! Dr Fallon walks you through exactly how to bring bedtime and wake up time earlier – the fast way and the slow way - so you can choose what suits your child best. 🔍 Search our index of parent questions here Need support? ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs and add on a coaching call with Dr Fallon for extra support! 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic, or explore telehealth options with our team of practitioners. Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Understanding your baby or toddler's unique sleep needs is one of the most important steps you can take towards better sleep for your whole family. Join Dr Fallon (PhD) to learn about how variable sleep needs can be between babies, and learn how you can identify and cater to your child’s unique sleep needs. Plus Dr Fallon answers 20 brilliant questions submitted by Sombelle members. Here's the link to the chart referred to in this episode: https://www.thensf.org/how-many-hours-of-sleep-do-you-really-need/ Need support? ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs and add on a coaching call with Dr Fallon for extra support! 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic, or explore telehealth options with our team of practitioners. Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

For most babies and toddlers, sleep improves when they start to fall asleep in their cot. But what if you have a super sensitive baby? One who absolutely HATES their cot and will scream the moment you dare even walk in to their nursery? Luckily, there is a solution, it just takes creativity and a little bit of dedication. If you’ve struggled to settle your baby or toddler in their cot, this episode is for you. Need support? ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs and add on a coaching call with Dr Fallon for extra support! 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic, or explore telehealth options. Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

I was thinking about what I would tell my younger self. The version of me who had a newborn, or a six-month-old, or a toddler who had decided that 4:30am was a completely acceptable time to begin the day 🫩 And I realised that the things I’d actually want to tell her aren’t the research findings. They’re the softer things. The permission slips. The things nobody really says out loud. So that’s what this episode is. Three things I genuinely believe can help all parents, and I hope at least one of them lands for you. Plus I answer your questions ☺️ Let’s get into it. - Dr Fallon ❤️ Need support? ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs and add on a coaching call with Dr Fallon for extra support! 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic, or explore telehealth options. Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

If you settle your baby or toddler at bedtime, only for them to wake up less than 2 hours later, then you’re familiar with ‘false starts.’ False starts happen when babies or toddlers don’t begin their nights with a long stretch of deep sleep – they may have this deep sleep later in the night, or not at all. In episode 118, Dr Fallon and Dr Laura (PhDs & Sleep Practitioners) unpack why false starts happen, and how you can fix them. Need support? ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs and add on a coaching call with Dr Fallon for extra support! 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic, or explore telehealth options. Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

If 5am wake-ups are a regular occurrence in your house, you are not alone, and more importantly, you are not stuck. Early rising is one of the most common sleep complaints we hear from parents, and one of the most misunderstood. Many parents assume their little one is just wired that way, but in most cases there's a clear reason it's happening, and a fix. In this episode, Dr Fallon and Dr Laura (PhDs & Sleep Practitioners) walk you through the most common causes of early waking, the mistakes that can accidentally lock in that 5am start, and the practical steps you can take to shift things in the right direction. Need support? ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs and add on a coaching call with Dr Fallon for extra support! 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic, or explore telehealth options. Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Waking your child from a nap might feel counterintuitive - especially if you were up half the night with them! But sometimes a long day nap only increases the chances of another tricky night - at some point, we have to put the brakes on this cycle. In this episode of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon (PhD, Sleep Practitioner) explains when and why your baby or toddler should be woken from their naps. Need support? ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs and add on a coaching call with Dr Fallon for extra support! 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic, or explore telehealth options. Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

You know the feeling: your baby is finally asleep, but your brain is just getting started 😓 In this episode, Dr. Fallon Cook & Dr. Laura Conway (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) dive into something that keeps so many parents awake long after bedtime - the mental load of sleep. We’re talking about the 2am maths equations, the endless planning, and the invisible second shift that runs on a loop in your head. Join us as we name it, unpack why it hits so hard, and share practical strategies for sharing the load so you can actually rest when your little one does. Need support? ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs and add on a coaching call with Dr Fallon for extra support! 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic, or explore telehealth options. Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

If you’ve ever heard the phrase, 'Sleep begets sleep' and wanted to throw a book across the room, this episode is for you! Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) tackle one of parenting's most exhausting curveballs: the low sleep needs baby or toddler. Let’s ditch the guilt, drop the pressure to 'fix' them, and dive into real-world strategies to help you, and your low sleep needs child, thrive! Need support? ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs for immediate support. 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic 🙋‍♀️ See Dr Fallon in our Telehealth clinic Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Inside the womb, your baby’s world is a constant hum of blood flow, digestion, and a heartbeat that thumps like a drum. It’s no wonder most babies find white noise soothing – it sounds like home! From calming a crying infant to blocking out the doorbell during nap time, white noise is a simple tool can be a game-changer for the whole family. In this episode, Dr Fallon (PhD, Sleep Practitioner) breaks down exactly how to use white noise to support your little one’s sleep, without the common mistakes. Need support? 🙋‍♀️ See Dr Fallon in our Telehealth clinic 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs for immediate support. Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Everyone says that a good bedtime routine is super important for children. But has anyone ever told you why? Or how to set up a great bedtime routine for your little one? In this episode, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) dive right in, so you can learn what’s happening in your child’s brain when you begin their bedtime routine, how to set up a great bedtime routine for your baby, toddler, or older child, and what to do if bedtime, feels more like heading in to battle, than the relaxing wind down you hoped it would be. Need support? 🙋‍♀️ See Dr Fallon in our Telehealth clinic 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs for immediate support. Give us some love! ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! 📲 Follow us on instagram | Facebook | TikTok 💖 Tell your mates about us Subscribe 🔽 ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

If you're a sleep-deprived parent, you've probably wondered what really happens when you seek help. In this episode, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) walk you through their entire assessment process - the step-by-step approach that allows them to tailor support for your baby or toddler and maximise your chances of success. If you're exhausted and looking for answers, this episode is essential listening. You'll uncover the key clues that can make sleep and settling easier for your family. 🙋‍♀️ See Dr Fallon in our Telehealth clinic: https://www.infantsleep.com.au/appointments 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic, Malvern: https://www.infantsleep.com.au/melbourne ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs for immediate support. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Listen on Spotify ❤️ Listen on Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Parent questions have been coming through thick and fast during the xmas and new year holidays so on parent request, in this episode Dr Fallon & Dr Laura dive in to how to adjust nap lengths, how to choose a settling approach for a new baby when you already have a toddler in the house, how to reduce the number of overnight feeds, and what to do when your baby only settles for one parent. Plus, we discuss our big plans for 2026, including a huge expansion of our clinic services so more families can enjoy easier settling and more restful nights with their little one. 🙋‍♀️ See Dr Fallon in our Telehealth clinic! For the first time in 2 years, Fallon is seeing new families: https://www.infantsleep.com.au/appointments 🏢 Local to Melbourne? Visit Dr Laura for an in-person appointment at Victorian Children's Clinic, Malvern: https://www.infantsleep.com.au/melbourne ✅ Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs for immediate support. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Listen on Spotify ❤️ Listen on Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Dr Fallon and Dr Laura share personal stories about their own Christmas celebrations, offer practical tips for managing holiday stress, and emphasise the importance of self-care. Learn how to navigate family dynamics, set realistic expectations, and embrace new traditions. Additionally, they answer listener questions about sleep challenges and parenting strategies. ✅ Need additional support? Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs , where we have an entire chapter dedicated to helping you resolve sleep pressure difficulties. Or visit our wonderful sleep clinic , via Telehealth or in person if you're local to Melbourne. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Listen on Spotify ❤️ Listen on Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

When you wake your child at the same time each day, you’re giving their circadian rhythm a clear signal that helps shape predictable naps and easier bedtimes. It’s not easy to get up on time after a tricky night, but in today’s episode Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) unpack why it’s worthwhile, and share how to make it work for your family. ✅ Need additional support? Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs , where we have an entire chapter dedicated to helping you resolve sleep pressure difficulties. Or visit our wonderful sleep clinic , via Telehealth or in person if you're local to Melbourne. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Listen on Spotify ❤️ Listen on Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube

Does bedsharing have benefits for infant development or attachment? The quick answer is no. Systematic reviews (the highest form of scientific evidence) consistently show that bedsharing is associated with: 1️⃣ Longer breastfeeding duration 2️⃣ Increased risk of death 3️⃣ More frequent night waking Bedsharing might be your preference, and that's ok, but it's important to understand both the risks, and the reality - babies who sleep in cots are just as well attached to their parents, as those who share a bed with their parents. Drs Fallon & Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) dive head first in to the scientific literature on bedsharing, so you can make an informed decision for your little one ✅ Need additional support? Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs , where we have an entire chapter dedicated to helping you resolve sleep pressure difficulties. Or visit our wonderful sleep clinic , via Telehealth or in person if you're local to Melbourne. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Listen on Spotify ❤️ Listen on Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube If you choose to bedshare please follow the RedNose guidelines for safer cosleeping: https://rednose.org.au/safe-sleep-and-safer-pregnancy/newborn-to-1-year/co-sleeping-with-your-baby/ REFERENCES: Das, Rashmi Ranjan , Sankar, M. Jeeva , Agarwal, Ramesh , Paul, Vinod Kumar , Is “Bed Sharing” Beneficial and Safe during Infancy? A Systematic Review , International Journal of Pediatrics, 2014 , 468538, 16 pages, 2014 . https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/468538 Baddock, et.al. The influence of bed-sharing on infant physiology, breastfeeding and behaviour: A systematic review, Sleep Medicine Reviews, Volume 43, 2019, Pages 106-117, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2018.10.007 . Horsley T , Clifford T , Barrowman N, et al. Benefits and Harms Associated With the Practice of Bed Sharing : A Systematic Review . Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(3):237–245. doi:10.1001/archpedi.161.3.237 A Morneau, A Vallieres, 0949 Should Parents and Children Share the Same Bed? A Systematic Review of the Consequences of Bedsharing on Sleep and Child Development, Sleep , Volume 43, Issue Supplement_1, April 2020, Pages A360–A361, https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.945 Wolf et. al., (2025). Mother–Infant Bed-sharing Is Associated with Increased Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review. Breastfeeding Medicine, 20 (4).

If your baby or toddler has false starts, split nights, or they are hard to settle to sleep, then there is a very good chance your little one has a sleep pressure difficulty. The good news? These problems are easily fixed by taking a close look at the daily rhythm. When sleep pressure challenges are resolved, the door to easier settling and quieter nights, swings wide open. This episode is Dr Fallon & Dr Laura's guide to identifying and fixing sleep pressure difficulties. ✅ Need additional support? Join our Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs , where we have an entire chapter dedicated to helping you resolve sleep pressure difficulties. Or visit our wonderful sleep clinic , via Telehealth or in person if you're local to Melbourne. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Listen on Spotify ❤️ Listen on Amazon Music 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube