Welcome to ESSA Consulting...

ESSA Consulting provides professional sleep and settling support for babies and toddlers across Australia. We offer tailored sleep and settling strategies, in‑home support, developmental checks, and practical guidance grounded in evidence‑informed infant care. Sara and her team are all parents themselves and as an AHPRA‑registered, professionally trained and practising maternal and child health nurse with over 20 years of experience, Sara is dedicated to helping your family achieve healthier, more restorative sleep. We can also assist with developmental assessments and connect you with additional supportive services when needed, ensuring your family receives the right care at the right time.

Babies are incredible communicators - they’re constantly telling us how they feel and what they need. As parents, especially when everything is new, it can be hard to understand that language. We help you interpret your baby’s cues so you can respond in the most supportive and appropriate way for their development, wellbeing and especially their tired signs.

Every child and every family is unique. For some, small adjustments to daily routines can make a significant difference. For others, we may work together over a longer period to develop a tailored strategy that meaningfully improves your baby’s sleep. No matter what your journey looks like, we’re with you every step of the way—providing guidance, reassurance, and support whenever you need it.

We begin with an initial in‑home consultation to get to know you, your child, and your current routines. During this visit, we usually start making gentle, practical changes straight away. The consultation lasts approximately 90 minutes. We then schedule a follow‑up appointment, often online or over the phone, to review your progress, answer questions, and adjust your strategy as needed. Every child is unique, and some families benefit from additional support. In these cases, we may take a more extended approach and work with you across several appointments and develop a longer‑term sleep strategy. This is a private service with affordable fees. When you contact us, we’ll discuss your needs, your goals, and whether a longer‑term plan is appropriate, then provide a clear outline of costs. Some payments are made upfront, while other payments are arranged progressively as we move through your personalised plan.

ESSA Consulting stands apart from typical sleep and settling services because the support is delivered by a professionally trained and practising maternal health nurse with more than 20 years of clinical experience. This means every strategy, assessment, and recommendation is grounded in evidence‑based infant health care — not generic programs or one‑size‑fits‑all advice. Families receive guidance that considers the whole child: their development, temperament, feeding, environment, and health needs. This clinical background allows for early identification of developmental concerns, tailored settling plans, and safe, responsive approaches that align with best‑practice maternal and child health standards. Where many consultants focus solely on sleep routines, Sara provides a comprehensive, holistic service that blends her professional nursing expertise with practical, compassionate support. The result is safer, more effective, and more sustainable sleep outcomes for your entire family.

We work with babies, toddlers, and young children from 0–5 years, providing tailored sleep and settling guidance at every developmental stage.

Although based in Victoria (Australia), ESSA Consulting can provide nationwide support through comprehensive online services, ensuring families across Australia can access expert guidance. We are even happy to discuss in-home consultation in any Australian location, although we don't offer home stay (over-night) services.

Our initial consultation takes place in your home, where we can get to know you, your child, and your family’s routines, your home environment, your challenges, and your goals. This helps us understand what you’re hoping to achieve and how we can best support you. A follow‑up meeting is held soon after to review progress and adjust strategies as needed. If a longer‑term plan is required, we continue working alongside you for as long as you need, ensuring consistent, compassionate support throughout your journey.

ESSA Consulting generally operates primarily during standard business hours; however, we understand that family needs don’t always fit neatly into a schedule. For this reason, after‑hours and weekend appointments are also available.