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!

We are passionate about supporting families through a time of immense change and growth. While so much focus is placed on preparing for birth, the support often feels like it stops once the baby arrives. We’re here to change that - bridging the gap with care that continues into the weeks, months and even years postpartum, when families need it most.

Our approach is grounded in four core pillars:

  1. Evidence-based practice

  2. Protecting infant neurodevelopment

  3. Supporting maternal mental health - and truly, the wellbeing of the whole family

  4. Fostering moments of joy in a time that can feel overwhelming

Families often describe the Possums approach as revolutionary. We take the time to truly 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 - so you feel informed, supported, and confident on your parenting journey.

What makes our service truly unique is the continuity of care we provide - from lactation support to guidance through crying/fussing concerns and sleep challenges. We tailor our support to the unique needs of your family, offering care that’s not only evidence-based but deeply respectful and compassionate.

We believe every family has the right to understand all of their choices when it comes to parenting. Our role is to help you navigate those choices with confidence and clarity - so your early parenting experience can be one of connection, trust, and joy.

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, 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 60-minute 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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