Former Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm has issued a heartfelt plea on social media, revealing she is teetering on the edge of a 'breakdown' over her young son's sleep difficulties. The 33-year-old athlete and mother of one opened up in a recent TikTok video, detailing the struggles her two-and-a-half-year-old boy, Sampson, is facing with settling into a consistent sleep routine.
'I'm Literally Going to Have Mental Breakdowns'
In the emotional clip, Emily Seebohm confessed that she has 'never had problems with Sampson's sleep' until recently, describing him as previously a 'great sleeper' who has now decided to change his habits. She admitted to needing some 'me time' and expressed her deep frustration, stating, 'I'm just really struggling, and I'm literally going to have mental breakdowns.'
Sleep Routine Challenges and Co-Parenting Concerns
Emily further explained that Sampson rarely falls asleep before 9pm and has started refusing daytime naps, often requiring her presence to drift off. 'He either wants me there or lying with him... that seems to be the only way he can go to sleep,' she shared. The Brisbane-based mother also revealed that she co-parents Sampson with her ex, former Married at First Sight groom Ryan Gallagher, a situation that some followers suggested might be impacting the toddler's ability to settle at night.
Followers flooded her message box with advice, with one dad suggesting Sampson could be 'over tired,' while another recommended dropping the nap and moving bedtime earlier to 6pm. Several comments pointed to the potential effects of co-parenting, with one user noting, '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?'
Recent Backlash Over Family Christmas Photo
This plea comes shortly after Emily Seebohm faced criticism online for a family Christmas photo featuring her new boyfriend, Brandon Caust. The image, posted to Instagram over the festive holiday, showed Sampson sitting on Brandon's lap, which prompted a troll to comment, 'I actually find this disrespectful to your son's father. Sure, have a photo together, but have your boy sit on your lap.'
Emily was quick to defend her decision, replying, 'Thanks for the feedback, but my son chose where he wanted to sit. It's not about anyone apart from him.' When the same troll added, 'Oh, I thought you were the adult and should teach your son about feelings and appearances,' she did not offer a second reply but later posted on Instagram Stories with the caption 'Wow, some people' alongside a facepalm emoji.
Relationship Timeline and Public Scrutiny
Emily Seebohm was engaged to Ryan Gallagher in March 2023, with their split confirmed in November 2025. Just weeks later, she publicly announced her romance with Brandon Caust, an indoor cricketer she met while filming the reality show The Challenge Australia. This rapid transition has placed her personal life under increased public scrutiny, adding to the pressures she faces as a mother navigating sleep issues and co-parenting dynamics.
The emotional toll of these challenges is evident in her recent social media posts, highlighting the broader struggles many parents face with sleep routines and blended family situations. Emily's openness has sparked a wave of support and advice from her followers, underscoring the importance of community in managing parental stress.
