For 20 years, The Sleep Store has offered free sleep support to New Zealand and Australian families - starting in person, then by email and DM, and for the last 10+ years, through our Facebook groups. We were actually offering sleep support online before Facebook even existed!
After a lot of thought, we made the difficult decision to pause our Facebook Sleep Groups at the end of August 2026. The way families access sleep advice has changed hugely since we started. Back then, we were one of the only places online offering this kind of support — now there are sleep apps, websites, social accounts and consultants of every kind, and families can find the community that suits them best.
Our library of hundreds of free articles on all aspects of sleep and settling will continue to be accessible for you, and we will keep updating these with relevant information for you and your family. We also offer sleep and settling tips through our social media channels.
Below we have listed out some more helpful links to resources:
Facebook Groups:
Many mums find due date groups the most helpful as families are all going through similar stages and are usually very supportive. Other popular Facebook groups include:
- Mums Collective - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1094611990575140
- Mum Hub - https://www.facebook.com/groups/themumhub
- New Zealand Mums - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2182871995270771
- Mummy Matters - https://www.facebook.com/groups/108007792615289
Some other useful resources:
- Plunket Sleep Support Service - Plunket now have the Plunket Sleep Support Service - Free video call service nurses who are specially trained to help with sleep and settling pēpi. You can book a sleep support session by calling PlunketLine free on 0800 933 922 24/7, website bookings coming soon. Plunket nurses will provide some initial support over the phone and book you an appointment. The focus is on gentle responsive sleep support rather than sleep training. https://www.plunket.org.nz/child-development/sleep/online-sleep-support/
- https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/.../safer-sleep-information/ - Excellent safe sleep information from the UK
- https://rednose.org.au/resources-category/safe-sleep-and-safer-pregnancy/ - Excellent safe sleep information from Australia.
- https://littlemiraclestrust.org.nz/ - Advice and support for families with premature babies.
- https://www.andbreathefirstaid.co.nz/ - Useful family first aid information and training including online courses.
When considering using a paid sleep consultant :
We recommend always reading reviews and asking in other mums groups for recommendations to find a sleep coach or consultant that works for your family, your sleep challenge and how urgently you need sleep.
Next we urge you to ensure any free or paid sleep advice includes safe sleep as a priority. Avoid any business that shows images of tummy sleeping or beds with pillows or other décor. Safe Sleep starts with clear safe messages. No sleep advice for newborns should suggest tummy sleeping or adding things like pillows or wedges to the cot. Swaddling advice should recommend stopping swaddling when baby shows signs of rolling.
Note that sleep consultants are businesses so charge for their advice and plans, however some do offer a free group to promote their business.
We firmly believe that over time it is OK to need more sleep yourself - for your own mental and physical health, safety when driving, parenting and enjoying life. Does the consultant you are considering respect that you need more sleep or are they more focused on your finding ways to endure your sleep deprivation?
Our Sleep Coaches:
Our wonderful, highly experienced sleep coaches are available for private consultations. We have worked with both Maria and Annette for many years and their advice and support is excellent
- Annette – Serene Sleep – focused on older babies, toddlers and beyond - https://www.serenesleep.co.nz/
- Maria – https://www.littlehush.co.nz/ - focused on older babies
Newborn Support
We highly recommend these wonderfully experienced experts in the 4th trimester period. They can offer you support across all areas of your journey into parenthood including settling support and help with feeding including lactation consulting.
Cathy from Holistic Baby – Postnatal midwife, lactation and newborn settling – I have known Cathy for over 20 years and she is widely regarded as an expert in the newborn space. https://www.holisticbaby.co.nz/
Libby - Libby is a highly experienced nurse, midwife, lactation consultant and childbirth educator - https://libbyandco.co.nz/- Gentle sleep consultants
Gentle sleep consultants – For paid sleep support & paid plans for families that are not looking for any type of sleep training and a totally no-cry approach. We have not worked with these businesses and do not know them personally so cannot specifically endorse them but some customers have recommended them - please do your own research if you want this type of paid sleep service.
Free Sleep Information
Here’s another link to our huge library of sleep and settling articles which available fre of charge to everyone: