Jessie Renee Phillips, 31, has been remanded in custody after briefly appearing in court on Tuesday following the tragedy west of Brisbane.
Her young daughter was discovered after emergency services responded to a call and arrived at a Lowood residence about 11.10pm on Monday.
Two of Phillips' other children - both under the age of three - were inside the property at the time but were not injured, police said.
"We understand this incident has shocked the local community," Detective Inspector Michael Manago told reporters on Tuesday.
Phillips was the sole adult at the residence at the time and had alerted emergency services.
However when asked how long it took her to call for help, Det Insp Manago said police were still creating a timeline of events.
"This is an incredibly tragic situation, even more tragic given the presence of the other young children at the dwelling at the time," he said.
The other two children are in the care of family members.
Support was also being provided to first responders.
"It's always terribly tragic when someone loses their life especially someone so young in the community," Det Insp Manago said.
"It was a terribly confronting scene for those responding and we are offering them our support."
Police would not speculate on a cause of death or discuss whether there was a weapon used and said a post-mortem examination would be conducted to establish greater clarity around how the child died.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli sent his condolences to the child's family.
"My reaction is one of deep sorrow, and it's just so deeply troubling, and I want to see a full and thorough investigation,'' he told reporters on Tuesday.
''That community and the state will grieve at that, and they will feel that very deeply."
Phillips briefly appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday after being charged with one count of murder.
She was remanded in custody and is due to reappear in court next month.