About the Possums Approach

Dr Pamela Douglas began developing the revolutionary Possums programs in the late 1990s to tackle widespread issues of conflicting advice, over-diagnosis, and overtreatment. Offering a fresh, evidence-based approach to breastfeeding, sleep, and cry-fuss challenges, ultimately transforming how we support families!

At Possums, we are experts in infant and family care and wellbeing, supporting families through a time that can often feel confusing or overwhelming.

Using Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC), we bring together the science and evidence base of infant sleep, feeding, and development to explain why babies behave the way they do - then offer practical, flexible strategies that work with your baby, not against them.

We’re passionate about supporting families beyond birth, bridging the gap in care across the weeks, months, and years postpartum, when support is often needed most.

Our care focuses on:

  • Feeding and lactation support

  • Unsettled babies, including babies who cry and fuss a lot

  • Sleep support using biological, evidence-based approaches

  • Parent wellbeing, supporting the whole family

Grounded in evidence, we prioritise infant neurodevelopment, parental mental health, and care that is responsive, respectful, and tailored to your family. We take the time to truly understand your needs and work collaboratively with you, so you feel informed, supported, and confident.

At the heart of our work is a simple mission: to grow joy, grounded in connection.

Possums Sleep Support

The Possums approach to sleep is a responsive, cued care, evidence-informed way of supporting infant & toddler sleep challenges. It prioritises connection, the understanding of normal infant behaviour, and the biology of sleep - working with your little one’s natural sleep regulators rather than against them.

It offers an alternative to traditional sleep training by supporting sleep in a way that honours your baby’s unique needs and your family’s values. Our aim is to make days and nights feel more manageable, while protecting breastfeeding and co-sleeping if they feel right for your family. This approach helps reduce pressure, build confidence, and bring more ease into the early months.

Possums Breastfeeding & Lactation Support

Using The Gestalt method of fit and hold created by Dr Pamela Douglas and co, our approach has been shown to immediately reduce pain and infant fussing. Our team provide expert guidance and support for all feeding methods, ensuring that every parent feels confident and supported.

Cry/Fuss Support

Have you got a little one who you are concerned cries or fusses a lot? Perhaps you have concerns around Colic or Reflux. There are modifiable factors that we can support your family with to make the days and nights more manageable and joyful with your little one.

Our method to managing unsettled infant concerns has been shown to significantly reduce crying time in babies, reduce the noise and overwhelm from conflicting information and to grow joy in your every day.

How Our Consultations Work

Here at Possums, we understand that every baby and family is unique, with their own dynamics, values, and needs. That's why our consultations are designed to be comprehensive and holistic, generally lasting 60 minutes to ensure we have the time to fully explore your concerns.

Our team works across multiple domains - medical history, sleep, feeding and sensory motor needs to tailor our advice and strategies specifically to your situation.

During the consultation, we will take the time to get to know your family, listen to your concerns, and work collaboratively with you to create a plan that aligns with your values and goals.

How we do things differently…

  • At Possums, we take a holistic approach to supporting your child’s health and well-being. As trained healthcare professionals, we understand that all aspects of your little one’s development are interconnected.

    For example, in order to support your family with sleep, we also need to consider feeding and your little one’s behaviour and temperament and vice versa across all 3 consultation options.

    By taking the time to thoroughly assess and discuss all these factors, we ensure that we provide the most comprehensive and effective support for your child and family’s needs.

  • There is a 17 year gap from evidence to actually making it into practice. Our aim is to minimise this gap. There is also a desperate need for an alternate option to approach infant and toddler sleep as studies clearly show the ineffectiveness of current sleep training methods on both the babies overall sleep and maternal mental health outcomes.

    A recent study found significant improvements in several key areas:

    • Reduced crying time in babies

    • Longer durations of breastfeeding compared to the general population—89.2% versus 24.7% at 6 months

    • Improved maternal perception of their baby’s sleep challenges

    • Enhanced maternal sleep satisfaction

    These outcomes demonstrate the value of a holistic, comprehensive approach to infant and maternal care.

  • Your little one’s temperament and needs are different to any one else’s.

    Your family situation and values are different to another’s.

    You and your little one have unique anatomy to other mother-baby pairs.

    We will work with your family to create solutions that are specific to your little one and family.

  • Issues with feeding, sleep and cry-fuss behaviours are detrimental to maternal mood during the perinatal period.

    We want YOU sleeping well and enjoying the days too.

    You won’t see us promoting crying to sleep methods, spending frustrating lengths of time getting them to sleep etc. Your mental load is enormous as it is!

  • We want to be part of your village - to help you become the experts of your little one by understanding their unique set of cues and behaviours.

    These results are proof that with the right support, your whole family can thrive!

Get compassionate, tailored help for your family

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