Australian swimming champion Emily Seebohm has turned to fellow parents for help after revealing she has been struggling with her young son’s sleep.
The mum-of-one shared an emotional TikTok video in which she admitted she was close to a “mental breakdown”, asking other mothers for advice as her two-year-old son Sampson continues to wake through the night.
Seebohm welcomed Sampson with her former partner Ryan Gallagher, who appeared on season five of Married At First Sight. The couple were engaged in 2022 but confirmed their split last November after months of speculation.
While the Olympic swimmer has often spoken openly about motherhood, she said the recent sleep struggles have left her feeling overwhelmed.
“I have never had problems with Sampson’s sleep,” Seebohm said.
“He had always been a great sleeper. But recently he has decided to not be a great sleeper.”
Speaking directly to her followers, Seebohm explained her son has recently begun refusing daytime naps and resisting bedtime altogether.
She said he now only falls asleep if she lies beside him and sometimes does not go to sleep until after 9pm.
“I’m just really struggling and I’m literally going to have mental breakdowns,” Seebohm said at the end of the clip.
“I need some me time and he needs to sleep.”
@emilyseebohm I need mum help please
♬ original sound – Emily Seebohm
The swimmer’s candid post quickly drew support from other parents, many of whom shared their own experiences and advice.
One commenter suggested that Sampson’s sleep issues could be linked to splitting time between two homes.
“I don’t want to get into your personal stuff, but it could be related to going back and forth? Having different expectations at mummy’s place & daddy’s place? Maybe he just misses you and doesn’t want to sleep without you?” the commenter wrote.
Seebohm replied that while she does not co-sleep, she believes his father does.
“But hard to get on the same page so I just have to focus on here,” she explained.
Other mums reassured her that sleep disruptions are common at this age and encouraged her to keep a consistent routine.
The swimmer later shared a follow-up TikTok showing her son seeing his new “big boy bed” for the first time, a moment that appeared to offer a small sign of hope as she continues to navigate the challenges of parenting.
Image: TikTok/ Instagram
