Baby Sleep (0-12 months)
Sleep training often makes baby or toddler sleep worse
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Conflicting and ineffective advice causes avoidable problems for parents and infants. We help resolve breastfeeding, sleep, and crying baby challenges by aligning with evolutionary biology and treating early life as a connected ecosystem. Our heart-connected care supports your emotional wellbeing and your little one's healthy attachment and development, avoiding unnecessary interventions.
Built from 30+ research papers; shown effective in 10 university studies.
Conflicting and ineffective advice causes avoidable problems for parents and infants. We resolve breastfeeding, sleep, and crying challenges by aligning with evolutionary biology and treating early life as a connected ecosystem. We support your emotional wellbeing and your little one's healthy attachment and development, avoiding unnecessary interventions.
Built from 30+ research papers; shown effective in 10 university studies.
For ParentsExplore The Possums Programs
For ProfessionalsUpskill at The NDC Institute
10,000+ families helped since 2011. Backed by science and by 1,000+ health providers internationally.
Possums is a social enterprise delivering paradigm-shifting care for parents and their infants through The Possums Programs, known scientifically as Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC).
Developed by Dr Pamela Douglas from nearly four decades of research and clinical experience, Possums translates the latest research about breastfeeding, feeds, sleep, sensory motor development, cry-fuss problems, and perinatal and infant mental health into internationally leading education for parents, health professionals, providers and educators.
Possums flips much of the usual advice parents receive upside down, in favour of evolutionarily aligned, wraparound care that avoids overmedicalisation and unnecessary intervention. Since 2011, Possums has been at the cutting edge of innovation, shaping practice and transforming family life worldwide.
The Possums (or NDC) framework, has been published in more than 30 peer reviewed research papers by Dr Pamela Douglas. This work began by systematically evaluating the available scientific evidence across the Possums domains. Using best practice implementation science, The Possums Programs have translated that evidence into education and clinical care, and are constantly updated and refined as new findings emerge.
University-led research evaluations, 10 so far, have all found beneficial outcomes for parents and practitioners using NDC (The Possums Programs).
The findings of the present study provide initial evidence for the effectiveness of the Possums Sleep Intervention…
Whittingham et al (2020) `Evaluating the “possums” health professional training in parent–infant sleep`, Infant Mental Health Journal, 41(5), pp. 603-613.
…the approach was found to be acceptable to parents and perceived by them to align parent and infant needs, improve their quality of life, and reduce their focus on perceived infant sleep problems.
Ball et al (2018) 'The Possums Infant Sleep Program: parents' perspectives on a novel parent-infant sleep intervention in Australia', Sleep Health: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation, 4(6), pp. 519-526.
… A clear positive effect on the quality of emotional availability in the relationship, at least as perceived by mothers. As such, the intervention appears to have a positive effect on the environment that supports good sleep.
Closson et al (2020) `Evaluation of possums sleep intervention: A pilot feasibility study`, Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 10(2), pp. 15–23.
… A promising tool for promoting parental attitude and behaviour-change, that aims to adjust parental expectations and reduce negative thinking around infant sleep, promote responsive infant care in the face of infant-related sleep disruption and fatigue, and support parental well-being during the first year of parenthood.
Ball et al (2020) `Development and evaluation of "Sleep, Baby & You"—An approach to supporting parental well-being and responsive infant caregiving`, Plos One, 15(8), e0237240.
The Possum infant sleep program provided equivalent positive results on sleep parameters compared to usual care while advocating a more cued response. The critical difference was evident in sustained breastfeeding.
Öztürk, et al (2021) `Possums-based parental education for infant sleep: cued care resulting in sustained breastfeeding`, European Journal of Pediatrics, 180(6), pp. 1769–1776.
These encouraging results support the hypothesis that the gestalt approach to fit and hold increases intra-oral breast tissue volume by eliminating conflicting vectors of force.
Perrella et al (2022), ‘A brief gestalt intervention changes ultrasound measures of tongue movement during breastfeeding: case series’, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(94).
Preliminary evaluation demonstrates decreased duration of evening and night-time crying and improved maternal mood 3-4 weeks after intervention.
Douglas et al (2013), ‘Preliminary evaluation of a primary care intervention for cry-fuss behaviours in the first 3-4 months of life (‘The Possums Approach’): effects on cry-fuss behaviours and maternal mood’, Australian Journal of Primary Health, 21, pp:38-45
Findings of this study are consistent with access to NDC/ Possums services being efficacious for infants’ crying, maternal perception of their baby’s sleep problems, maternal sleep satisfaction, maternal experiential avoidance and maternal risk of postnatal depression… These preliminary findings suggest that NDC/Possums programs are effective and are relevant to public health, clinical practice, and health professional education settings.
Crawford et al (2022), ‘An evaluation of Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC/Possums Programs) in the First 12 Months of Life’, Matern Child Health Journal, 26, pp.110-123
Mothers in this study found that NDC supported them to balance a range of different occupations flexibly, including leisure and social occupations and occupations to care for themselves.
Crawford et al (2023), ‘New perspectives on responsive infant care: A qualitative study of the ways in which Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) shapes mother-infant co-occupations’, Journal of Occupational Science, 31, pp.337-353.
For parentsEarly life care is dominated by conflicting advice, much of which does not align with the latest science. Many parents find the advice they receive doesn’t help or even worsens stress and distress. They are regularly led towards costly treatments, approaches that make life harder rather than easier, and interventions which aren’t any more helpful than the passage of time.
Possums changes this. We provide evidence-based approaches which help parents work out what is happening in their own situation and what they might like to change first, because every family and every child is unique. We aim to prevent problems before they appear, and to help resolve them quickly and protect families from unnecessary interventions, distress, or pain when they do.
For professionalsIf you work with parents and their babies or toddlers facing challenges in early life, Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC, Possums) offers you a groundbreaking genuinely evidence-based framework to use in everyday practice.
The NDC Institute translates the science into world-class online accreditation, resources, clinical tools and education for health professionals, providers and educators who want to deliver care that is both scientifically rigorous and deeply heart-centred.
Because of its clinical effectiveness, parents increasingly seeking out NDC Accredited Practitioners, who are qualified to deliver the Possums or NDC programs. To date, 10 university-led research evaluations have found NDC improves outcomes for families and practitioners.
I was about to give up breastfeeding before I found out about NDC and the Gestalt breastfeeding approach… I saw a lactation consultant who told me they couldn’t help because his latch was good... I tried the methods recommended by Dr Pam and instantly noticed a difference… I now have a 3 month old who’s happily breastfeeding.
Emma
Possums/NDC approach to sleep, based on the neurobiology of babies/children, is a voice of sanity, a lifeline to parents, in our Western world of ‘sleep school’ philosophy that goes against how babies and parents are wired including their natural instincts.
Alison
When I discovered The Possums Sleep Program by Dr Pam, everything changed… For me, it meant the end of postnatal depression and the beginning of truly bonding with my son.
Katherine
Dr Pamela Douglas is an inspiring colleague… Dr Douglas has made a contribution second to none in Australian general practice in exploring effective strategies by which primary health care providers might support distraught parents of our youngest citizens troubled by early feeding and sleep difficulties… I am in awe.
Michael Fasher
Finding Pam and her work has been the biggest “Aha” moment of my entire career. What I am learning has transformed the experience of countless mothers and their babies… Families love it because it makes sense and it works!
Gerda Blough
Thank God a friend recommended Dr Pam to me when I was a confused, tired, and worried new mum. In one visit, Dr Pam sorted out my “fit and hold” and my breastfeeding pain was over. This was after seeing various breastfeeding consultants with no luck for weeks!… I read her book and joined her program and it changed my life.
Sera
Possums, also known as The Possums Programs or Neuroprotective Developmental (NDC), is the paradigm shifting approach to infant sleep, breastfeeding, feeds, lactation, parent & infant mental health + wellbeing, sensory motor development, and baby & toddler cry-fuss challenges. Possums has been built by Dr Pamela Douglas over her life as a doctor, researcher, breastfeeding medicine physician, and educator.
There is no difference. In a nutshell, Possums is the commonly used name and Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) is the scientific name for the same thing. Similarly, The Possums Programs also refer to The NDC courses and programs. We tend to use Possums for parents and as a shorthand amongst health professionals, but in research publications, for example, we often refer to the programs as Neuroprotective Developmental Care.
All of Neuroprotective Developmental Care (Possums) is deeply embedded in the research. The NDC evidence base has been published by Dr Pamela Douglas and her teams in 30 peer-reviewed articles in international journals. Many of these articles are systematic reviews or meta-narrative reviews of all available evidence. Ten are evaluations showing the benefits of the programs. Learn more here.
Possums is the first set of infant care programs to interpret extensive interdisciplinary research through the lenses of complexity science, evolutionary biology, and holistic generalist practice, and to integrate emerging scientific fields including circadian medicine, mechanobiology, and nature therapy into infant care, pioneering these new approaches.
Since 2011, Possums has had growing international influence in shaping infant care, distinguished by its foundation in best practice implementation science and its commitment to scientific rigor through peer-reviewed research, iterative development, and transparent evaluation.
Possums uniquely positions breastfeeding as integral to all aspects of infant care, acknowledging the way breastfeeding, feeds, infant sensory motor needs, cry-fuss and sleep problems, and parental emotional wellbeing and mental health interact together for best possible infant development and family wellbeing. Possums inclusively supports non-breastfeeding parents, carers, and babies with evidence-based, evolutionarily-aligned alternatives. This holistic integration and inclusivity has set Possums apart from organisations which identify with a single issue (such as breastfeeding).
The Possums evidence-based approaches avoid the unnecessary medicalisation, paramedicalisation, and overtreatment which are so frequent in the care of families whose babies cry a lot and of breastfeeding mothers and their babies.
We support parents with infants from birth until the end of toddlerhood (0-3 years).
If you’re a parent, prevention is always ideal. So if possible, we recommend becoming familiar with the programs in pregnancy, at least by viewing or participating in When Baby Comes Home, our before birth program. The more you can take in before baby arrives the better – but in real life, of course, most parents really only get started with the programs once they’re looking for solutions to issues that have arisen. You’re welcome to start at any time.
If you’re a professional, our programs are online designed to be self-paced, and you can start upskilling as soon as it works for you.
Yes, absolutely. It’s never too early or too late to start experimenting with Possums.
Yes. These are international programs, already being accessed by parents and professionals from all around the world.
The NDC Institute (NDCI) is Possums’ online professional education centre, offering courses, upskilling, and certification in NDC for health professionals, providers and educators.
The NDC Institute offers a range of professional courses, tailored to meet educational needs across the spectrum of those providing services to parents and infants. Registered health professionals have the option of becoming NDC Accredited and of participating in weekly Live Network Hours. The specific educational needs of medical doctors are met through doctors-only Live Network Hours, held each month. The NDC Lactation Fellowship offers the highest level of upskilling for doctors (Stream 2) and registered health professionals (Stream 1) who have a special interest in breastfeeding and lactation. The NDC Lactation Modules offer the deepest possible dive available in this field, and are available for the general public to access.
The NDC Accreditation pathway is as follows:
Possums is a certified Australian social enterprise. Our mission is to improve early life care in our domains using evidence-based, clinically effective tools, and to increase the accessibility of this care worldwide. Possums is a labour of love, proudly independent and accountable to families and outcomes, not commercial or institutional pressure.
