Lisa Douglass

Lisa Douglass

Sleep Consultant
.
Under 1 year
experience
Sydney, Australia / Virtual worldwide
Tailored to each family and situation
https://www.gentlestepstoslumber.com.au/consultations

Lisa Douglass

Welcome, I’m Lisa!
​If you’re reading this while feeling completely exhausted, wondering when you’ll ever get a stretch of uninterrupted sleep again—take a deep breath. You are in the right place, and you don't have to navigate this alone.

​With over 15 years of experience working in early childhood education, I’ve spent my career surrounded by little ones and the wonderful families raising them. Over the years, I saw firsthand just how vital healthy sleep is—not only for a child’s growth, regulation, and happy development, but for the well-being of the whole family. I watched so many loving, capable parents run on empty, feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice. That passion for helping families thrive is what led me to establish Gentle Steps to Slumber.

​I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all sleep training or leaving babies to cry it out alone. Healthy sleep is so much more than just troubleshooting a bedtime routine; it’s about understanding your child’s unique temperament, developmental stage, and family rhythm.
​My approach is built on compassion, flexibility, and gradual steps. We take things at a pace that feels comfortable for you and your child, making steady, gentle adjustments that build confidence and security. I am right there alongside you to guide, encourage, and tweak our approach so it fits seamlessly into your daily life.

​I support families across Sydney's Northern Beaches and surrounding areas are who are ready for a gentler way to restore rest. Whether you’re dealing with frequent night wakings, short naps, chaotic bedtime battles, or simply feeling overwhelmed by sleep transitions, I love working with parents who want a supportive, balanced partner in their corner.
My philosophy

Whether you room-share, bed-share, or want independent sleep, there is no one-size-fits-all approach here. We’ll take gentle, customised steps together to get your whole family the restful sleep you deserve.

Credentials & Certifications

No items found.

Specialties

Toddler sleep: 1-3 years, Short naps, Frequent night wakings, Night weaning, Room sharing transitions, Co-sleeping to independent sleep, Anxiety-sensitive sleep support, Gentle / no-cry-it-out approaches, Neurodivergent children

Case Studies

Anonymized · with permission
2.5-year-old struggling with 90-minute bedtime stalling and middle-of-the-night wakings, with a baby sibling on the way.
​To support the parents' desire for a gentle approach, we established clear bedtime boundaries with choices and implemented a gradual "Camping Out" method so dad could stay in the room while fading support.
​Within two weeks, bedtime battles vanished, and the toddler achieved solid, full nights of sleep, giving the parents their evenings and energy back.
3-year-old reliant on co-sleeping and frequent night checks, plus a 3-month-old requiring heavy rocking to settle.

​To support independent toddler sleep while respecting her need for connection, we introduced pre-bedtime sensory cuddle time and a gentle "progressive reassurance" check-in plan. For the 3-month-old, we adjusted settling techniques to a comfortable, seated approach to relieve mum's back pain while keeping baby calm.

​The toddler gained the confidence to sleep independently in her own bed, and mum learned low-strain settling routines that made bedtime peaceful for both children.

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