A dozen mothers have reportedly tried to kill themselves on Christmas Island after deciding their children would have more chance of making it to Australia without them.

Fairfax Media has spoken with three independent sources who have confirmed the women tried to end their lives, saying their children would be better off in life if they were dead.

"Their thinking is that if the babies have been born in Australia, they cannot be sent anywhere else, including Manus Island or Nauru," the president of the Christmas Island Shire Council, Gordon Thompson, said.

"It's a shocking conclusion to come to, but that's the state of helplessness in the centre at the moment."