Tresillian nurse one of the oldest professions in the world
What Is a Tresillian Nurse?
When parents feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn, especially in the early weeks and months of their child’s life, many in Australia turn to Tresillian — a trusted, century-old organisation known for helping families settle babies and navigate early parenting challenges. But what exactly is a Tresillian nurse, and how do they differ from a regular nurse, midwife, or maternal child health professional?
In this article, we’ll walk you through the role of a Tresillian nurse, what qualifications they hold, what services they offer, and how they support families. Whether you’re a new parent considering help, or a nanny agency vetting candidates with “Tresillian experience,” understanding this role is invaluable.
Who or What Is Tresillian?
Tresillian is one of Australia’s oldest and most respected early parenting services. Founded in 1918, it began as a mothercraft training organisation and has evolved into a national service helping families with babies and toddlers up to three years old.
They offer support with:
• Sleep and settling issues
• Feeding (breast or bottle)
• Toddler behaviour
• Parental mental health and emotional wellbeing
• Establishing daily routines
• Coping with multiple children or complex care needs
Tresillian works closely with families via residential stays, day programs, virtual consultations, helplines, and outreach services — often referred by GPs, maternal health nurses, or hospitals.
What Is a Tresillian Nurse?
A Tresillian nurse is a registered nurse or midwife who has undergone additional specialist training in early parenting, sleep and settling, infant development, and family support. They are not just general nurses — they are deeply skilled in infant and toddler care, particularly around sleep and feeding issues that are common in the first few years.
These nurses work at Tresillian centres, often in residential settings, helping families who stay for 4–5 days to reset routines, learn new strategies, and gain confidence.
Key Qualifications:
• Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Midwife
• Often holds postgraduate qualifications in Child and Family Health or Maternal and Child Health
• Additional Tresillian training in parenting support models (including responsive parenting, attachment theory, and behaviour guidance)
What Do Tresillian Nurses Actually Do?
Here’s what a typical day might look like for a Tresillian nurse:
1. Assessing Baby’s Needs
They’ll first spend time understanding the baby’s feeding patterns, sleep routines, health history, temperament, and the family’s specific concerns. This includes everything from feeding difficulties to constant night waking.
2. Supporting Parents
Much of the work involves supporting the parents, not just the baby. Many mothers arrive sleep-deprived, anxious, and unsure. A Tresillian nurse provides a calm, practical, and non-judgmental presence — walking parents through new strategies, helping them settle emotionally, and restoring confidence.
3. Guiding Sleep and Settling Techniques
Tresillian is best known for its gentle, responsive sleep training methods — not “cry it out” approaches. Nurses coach parents in techniques such as:
• Tuning in to baby’s cues
• Creating realistic routines
• Offering comfort while encouraging independent sleep
• Recognising overtiredness and early signs of sleep readiness
4. Monitoring Progress
Throughout the family’s stay or phone consultation, the nurse keeps track of how the baby is responding, adjusting techniques, and debriefing with parents regularly.
5. Working in a Multidisciplinary Team
Tresillian nurses don’t work alone. They collaborate with:
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Paediatricians (where required)
• Family support workers
This ensures the care is holistic, especially when mental health, domestic stress, or complex family needs are part of the picture.
What Makes Tresillian Nurses Different?
Unlike hospital-based nurses focused on clinical care, or maternal child health nurses focused on milestones and check-ups, Tresillian nurses fill a very unique gap:
• They work with the whole family, not just the baby
• They are deeply experienced in behavioural and developmental patterns
• They provide in-the-moment coaching, not just advice
• They support emotional wellbeing alongside practical care
• They help parents take back control in what often feels like chaos
It’s hands-on, emotionally sensitive, and intensely practical work.
What Does “Tresillian Experience” Mean on a Nanny’s Resume?
You may see candidates list that they have “trained at Tresillian,” “worked under a Tresillian nurse,” or even “completed a sleep/settling course” with them.
Important distinctions to note:
• Unless they are a registered nurse or midwife, they are not a “Tresillian nurse”
• Some nannies or maternity nurses attend parent courses or online webinars — this gives them exposure but not certification
• A nanny who has worked in a household that followed Tresillian-style routines may understand the methods but not be professionally trained
If you’re an agency or parent looking to verify this kind of background, it’s worth asking:
• Was it formal Tresillian training or just a workshop?
• Did they work under a nurse in a clinical setting?
• Can they explain the core philosophy of Tresillian?
Can Families Access a Tresillian Nurse Directly?
Yes — but there’s a process.
In most cases, parents are referred by their GP, midwife, or maternal child health nurse. However, Tresillian now offers self-referrals in many parts of Australia, especially via telehealth or day stay programs.
There’s also a Tresillian Parent Helpline (24/7) where nurses answer calls and guide families through sleep and settling strategies — all over the phone.
Many services are free under Medicare or funded by the NSW Government, depending on your location.
Final Thoughts
A Tresillian nurse is more than a healthcare provider — they’re a lifeline for exhausted, overwhelmed, or unsure parents navigating the most emotionally charged period of their child’s life. With a rare blend of clinical training and emotional support, they walk alongside families with care, clarity, and calm.
At our agency, we recognise the value of this approach. While we don’t claim to replace Tresillian, we look for nannies and newborn carers who share these same principles: responsiveness, warmth, respect for the child’s cues, and calm confidence.
If you’re a parent considering a nanny or maternity nurse, and you’ve had help from Tresillian in the past — let us know. We’ll do our best to match you with someone who understands and complements the approach you already trust.
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