Have you ever wondered if you’re doing something wrong because your baby won’t sleep the way you were told they “should”?

Because it’s not just the broken sleep.

It’s the pressure. The timelines. The numbers. The feeling that everyone else has it figured out, and you somehow missed the memo.

This episode is part of The Science of Motherhood Summer Series, where Dr Renee White revisits some of your favourite conversations, the ones that made you feel calmer, more informed, and less alone.

In this replay, Renee is joined by Dr Laura Gainche Ph.D., a Family Sleep Educator with a background as a neuroscientist and sleep scientist. Through her Scienceforallwomen platform, Laura helps parents turn sleepless into more blissful nights using science and connection, and supports families to find their own unique way to parent at night.

Together, Renee and Laura unpack how modern sleep expectations have been shaped, why the “12-hour night” has become such a powerful benchmark, and what the research actually shows about normal baby sleep. It’s a conversation that offers science, yes, but also permission to breathe out and stop treating night waking like a personal failure.

Together they explore:

Why the “12-hour night” expectation sets so many families up to feel like they’re failing
What sleep research actually shows about normal baby sleep and night waking
Why the “best” approach at night depends on your family, not one set of rules
How fear-based sleep messaging can fuel guilt and self-doubt
What it can look like to find your way at night, with science and connection

If baby sleep has been making you question yourself, this conversation is a steadying one. Share it with a parent who needs the reminder that they’re not broken, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next replay.

Resources & Links

📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_

🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services

🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies

📲 Connect with Dr Laura Gainche on Instagram: @scienceforallwomen

This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia’s first doula village.

Disclaimer

The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional’s advice.