Are you tired of being tired? I hear you. I've been on a first-name basis with the Sandman for what feels like a century. Now, after countless nights of tossing, turning, and negotiating with tiny bedtime dictators, I've discovered some sleep supplements that have transformed my restless nights into peaceful slumber.
In the realm of motherhood, a full night's sleep often feels like a mythical creature, right alongside unicorns and well-behaved toddlers. And let's face it, we could all use a little extra magic in the form of shut-eye.
In this article, I spill the beans on ten sleep supplements that have given me a fighting chance against the nocturnal antics of my beloved offspring and have, quite literally, saved the day.
From melatonin gummies that rival the sweetness of bedtime stories to chamomile capsules that whisper "calm" louder than a tantrum in a toy store, let me take you though my treasure trove of sleep-inducing goodies.
Peaceful night's sleep, here we come.
Further reading: How to get your child to sleep in their own bed.
Happy Healthy You Sleep Bundle
Sleep Bundle is a three-part sleep system, pairing MSP (Magnesium, Sleep, Pain), Happy Hormones, and Happy Calm to tackle sleep from every angle, perfect if you're a mum juggling racing thoughts at bedtime as much as sore muscles. The magnesium in MSP helps relax muscles and ease you into sleep, while Happy Hormones and Happy Calm work on calming the nervous system and easing the stress hormones that keep you tossing and turning.
Unlike a single tub-and-scoop product, this one's a bundle of three separate formulas designed to work together, so it's less "mix and drink" and more "build a full routine." It's non-sedative too, so no grogginess the next morning; it's about nudging your body back into a natural rhythm rather than knocking you out.
Many people report feeling calmer within the first few nights, with deeper improvements to sleep patterns building over 1–2 weeks of consistent use.
Stockist: Happy Healthy You
Nature's Way Sleep Ashwagandha Gummies
Don't you sometimes wish every medication came in the form of gummies? Not only are they more fun to take, but they're also reportedly easier for the body to absorb and digest. Did I mention they taste better?
If the idea of sleep gummies is to your liking, try these blackcurrant-flavoured soft gummies from Nature's Way. They're 99% sugar-free and made with ashwagandha, a popular herb for relieving stress and anxiety.
My only issue with these gummies is that they are expensive. Each bottle comes with 40 pastilles. You're supposed to take 4 pastilles 30 minutes to 1 hour each day before going to bed. That means each bottle only lasts 10 days max!
Also, note that these gummies have sorbitol and maltitol, which may have a laxative effect or cause diarrhoea. If you have an issue with these sugar alternatives, maybe skip these gummies.
Stockist: Pharmacy Online
Earth's Bounty Sleep Perfect Capsules
Not a fan of ashwagandha? Try Earth's Bounty Sleep Perfect Capsules. These vegan-friendly and gluten-free caps have valerian root, passion flower, and skullcap, also widely known in traditional medicine to induce sleep. It also has magnesium, which helps you relax.
This is 100% my favourite on this list, since it works perfectly for me. I have been sleeping so well since discovering Sleep Perfect, and I don't feel groggy in the morning. The only downside is that it's slightly more expensive than other sleep supplements. But I think the price is on point for its benefits.
Stockist: iHerb
NutraOrganics Beauty Sleep Bundle
My friends from yoga class have moved on to this one, and honestly, I get why. It's got the same beauty-sleep angle as our old Moon Milk pick, but this time it's a proper bundle: Collagen Hot Chocolate, Collagen Beauty Unflavoured, and a Whiz Stick to mix it all up.
This one comes ready to go. Whiz a scoop of Collagen Hot Chocolate into hot (or cold, if you're team iced choc) milk of choice, then stir in a serve of Collagen Beauty for a "supercharged" hit of collagen, targeted for skin, hair, nails, and gut, plus the general collagen support from the hot chocolate itself.
The magnesium in the Hot Chocolate is the real MVP here for winding down at night, it's what's behind the relaxation claims, alongside a low-sugar, naturally sweetened (monk fruit and thaumatin) recipe that still tastes indulgent. And because it's a proper drinking-chocolate ritual rather than a savoury mix, it feels like more of a treat-yourself moment before bed than a supplement.
It promises to help you relax into sleep while supporting glowing skin overnight, so like our old favourite, it's still very much an "arsenal" pick, just with a cosier, chocolatey twist.
Stockist: Nutra Organics
Nature's Way Chamomile Capsules
If you're a fan of chamomile tea, you will love these capsules that provide the same calming and anxiety-reducing effects but in a more handy form. Nature's Way Chamomile Capsules are here to the rescue for busy days when you can't brew a cup of tea.
The recommended dosage is two capsules thrice daily - or a total of 6 per day. But I pop two an hour before bedtime, and it still works wonders. I always wake up feeling fully rested and energised.
Having been using them for a couple of years, I can personally vouch for the effectiveness of these chamomile capsules. But if you want more proof, it's highly rated with over 300 5-star verified customer reviews!
Stockist: iHerb
NutraLife Magnesium Sleep
Another sleep supplement worth trying is NutraLife's Magnesium Sleep. Magnesium is a relaxing mineral that promotes the production of melatonin and serotonin to improve your mood and help you sleep.
Magnesium Sleep has 3 different forms of magnesium that help improve muscle health and neuromuscular functions. It also contains Chinese and Western herbs that effectively induce a night of restful sleep.
My eldest, who used to suffer from sleeplessness until trying magnesium, takes a capsule an hour before bedtime. She swears it boosted her sleep quality, so she has made this a part of her night routine.
Stockist: Chemist Direct
Swiish Sleep Superfood Powder
Superfood. If you've been tuned with anything health-related lately, you have undoubtedly heard of the term. Simply put, a superfood is a food rich in beneficial compounds like antioxidants and fibre.
Swiish Sleep Superfood Powder promises melatonin production, which we know is a stress-inducing hormone. You can drink it with plain water, but if you want something creamier, mix a scoop or two with 1/2 to 1 cup of warm milk. The mix already has honey and dates, but you can also add a sweetener if desired.
Its all-natural ingredients are tart cherry, banana, cherry, cacao, honey, date, ginger, turmeric, Siberian ginseng, cinnamon, and natural vanilla flavour. If you prefer products with familiar ingredients, definitely give this sleep supplement a go. Plus, even if you're not having sleep problems, the ingredients are still beneficial for your body.
Stockist: Swiish
x50 Sleepy Herbal Tea
If, like me, you'd rather have a traditional cup of tea to help calm your nerves and help you sleep, why not try x50 Sleepy Herbal Tea? This all-Aussie and caffeine-free blend has valerian root, lavender, chamomile, and linden flower.
A word of caution: don't drink this tea when you don't intend to immediately sleep. Linden flower is known to induce drowsiness, so if you're planning to drive or operate heavy machines, don't think about it.
But if you're going to sleep, steep a teaspoon of the loose-leaf blend with a cup of hot water and let sit for 3–5 minutes. Good night!
Stockist: x50 Lifestyle
Kiwi Herb Organic Valerian Oral Liquid
The products I have included in this list were created with adults in mind, but how about kids? If you have a child who needs occasional help to relieve tension during the day or sleeping at night, check out Kiwi Herb Organic Valerian Oral Liquid.
It can be used both by adults and children above 3 years old. Valerian root is known as a traditional herbal remedy for nerves and insomnia. Research shows that it's safe to use for up to six weeks. However, whether valerian root is safe for long-term use is still unknown. It's better to stick to the recommended dosage and get clearance from your doctor before administering valerian drops to your child to be safe.
Stockist: Aussie Health
Wanderlust Soulful Sleep
This time it's a swap from liquid drops to capsules with Wanderlust's Soulful Sleep, a plant-active blend of California Poppy, Passionflower, Lavender, and Hops, all backed by Western Herbal Medicine tradition for easing you into a good night's rest.
Still very much an Ayurvedic-adjacent, herbal-first pick, but the format's changed: instead of measuring out drops, it's just one capsule before bed. California Poppy and Hops work as the sleep inducers here, while Passionflower and Lavender help calm nervous tension and support overall mental wellbeing. California Poppy also doubles as a natural pain reliever, so it's a nice bonus if tense muscles are part of why you can't wind down.
No added gluten, dairy, soy, artificial colours or flavours here, and it's suitable for vegetarians and vegans too, a step up from the "bitter but bearable" liquid drops, since there's no taste to mask at all.
Stockist: Wanderlust
My final words on sleep supplements
In the realm of sleep struggles, finding the right aid can be as elusive as catching a unicorn. Yet, armed with these sleep-inducing companions, I've embraced the magic of shut-eye with newfound vigor. The nights of tossing and turning have been replaced by tranquil rest.
As I bid farewell to restless nights, I invite you to explore this arsenal of sleep-enhancing staples. May the Sandman's visits become a welcoming embrace. Here's to peaceful nights and the promise of a well-rested morning.
However, despite the availability of sleep supplements in the market, don't forget to make lifestyle changes to help improve sleep.
Avoiding caffeine and too much sugar late in the day, winding down a few hours before bedtime, maintaining an environment that is conducive for sleeping (like finding the perfect temperature and turning your room pitch dark), therapy, and finding the underlying issues behind your inability to get a good shut-eye are still safer options than being too reliant on sleep medication.
