Sense by Meg Faure: Real Life Parenting
- Episódios
- 237
- Publicação
- semanal
- Último episódio
- 12 nov 2026
Sobre o podcast
Real-life parenting support from pregnancy to the toddler years.
Join occupational therapist, bestselling author, and Parent Sense founder Meg Faure for expert insight and honest conversations with real moms and leading parenting scientists.
From sleep and weaning to milestones, emotions, and tantrums, this is the calm, trusted, science-backed sense you need to parent with confidence.
Episódios 237
An Honest Look at Perinatal Depression & Anxiety: The Realities of Motherhood and the Growth It Can Bring S9 | E236
Becoming a mother can be one of life's greatest joys, but it can also bring unexpected grief, anxiety and a profound loss of identity. And sometimes, the hardest part is admitting that motherhood isn't feeling …
Notas do episódio
Becoming a mother can be one of life's greatest joys, but it can also bring unexpected grief, anxiety and a profound loss of identity. And sometimes, the hardest part is admitting that motherhood isn't feeling the way you imagined it would.
In this episode, Meg Faure chats to South African actress, writer and producer Lara Toselli about her deeply personal journey into motherhood, her experience of perinatal anxiety and depression, and how it inspired her one-woman theatre production, Mother Load.
With honesty, humour and a healthy dose of perspective, this is a conversation about the parts of motherhood we don't always talk about, and a reminder that you don't have to suffer in silence.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
Why becoming a mother can bring an unexpected sense of grief and loss of identity.
How losing her own mother as a child shaped Lara's experience of becoming a mom.
Why being told to 'count your blessings' can make struggling mothers feel even more alone.
How social media and unrealistic expectations can influence our perceptions of motherhood.
Why seeking professional mental health support, including medication, is nothing to be ashamed of.
How humour can help us process difficult experiences once we're through them.
Why partners and family members need to understand the realities of perinatal mental health.
Lara's advice to mothers: be honest about how you're feeling, ask for help early and remember that nothing lasts forever.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Meet Lara Toselli: From YoTV to motherhood and the stage
01:05 The story behind Mother Load
03:25 The grief and identity shift that comes with motherhood
04:02 Becoming a mother without having a mother
05:14 Recognising the signs of perinatal anxiety and depression
08:07 The pressure of social media and perfect motherhood
10:14 Turning a deeply personal experience into a theatre production
12:31 Bringing the raw reality of motherhood to the stage
14:42 Finding humour in the darkest moments
15:11 When 'count your blessings' isn't helpful
17:28 Why professional mental health support matters
19:58 Using comedy to open up difficult conversations
20:58 The hidden realities of perinatal mental health
21:28 What is Mother Load and where can you see it?
23:10 A message of hope for mothers who are struggling
24:14 Lara's advice: seek help, allow yourself to grieve and embrace change
26:08 Losing your old identity and accepting the new you
27:16 Learning that difficult feelings are temporary
ABOUT THE GUEST
Lara Toselli is a South African actress, writer and producer, best known for presenting on YoTV for 10 years and for her role as Gabby in Tali's Wedding Diary. Her international acting credits include productions alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey.
Beyond her acting career, Lara is the creator of Mother Load, an autobiographical one-woman theatre production exploring the realities of becoming a mother, including perinatal anxiety and depression, grief, identity and the unexpected challenges of early motherhood.
Follow Lara:
Instagram: @laratoselli
Instagram: @motherload.play
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is the parenting podcast from occupational therapist, parenting expert and Parent Sense founder Meg Faure.
With more than 20 years of experience in occupational therapy and a special focus on infant regulation, sensory processing, attachment and early relationships, Meg brings together leading experts, researchers and parents to explore the science behind raising happy, healthy and resilient children.
The podcast is part of Parent Sense, a science-backed parenting solution designed to help parents understand their children and feel more confident in their parenting journey.
Download the Parent Sense app and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
How Parent Sense Is Building aiah, a Safer, Smarter AI Parenting Companion S9 | E235
What happens when decades of parenting expertise meet artificial intelligence? In this episode, Meg Faure and Tove de Chazal Gant are joined by Bertha Kgokong to take us behind the scenes of aiah, Parent …
Notas do episódio
What happens when decades of parenting expertise meet artificial intelligence? In this episode, Meg Faure and Tove de Chazal Gant are joined by Bertha Kgokong to take us behind the scenes of aiah, Parent Sense's AI parenting companion.
They unpack how the idea began, why generic AI tools aren't enough when it comes to parenting advice and how the team is building a more reliable, expert-led solution using a carefully curated knowledge base and rigorous testing.
From supporting parents at 2 am to making trusted guidance more accessible to families who might otherwise go without it, this is a conversation about the possibilities, and responsibilities, of AI in parenting.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:
How the idea for aiah began, long before ChatGPT became mainstream.
Why generic AI tools can be unreliable when answering parenting and health-related questions.
How aiah draws on a curated library of trusted parenting resources rather than the unrestricted internet.
What Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) means, and how it helps AI provide more grounded answers.
Why aiah is designed to say “I don't know” when it cannot find a reliable answer.
How the team tests and evaluates aiah's responses against Meg's expert knowledge.
How AWS Bedrock provides an enclosed environment for the AI system.
How AI could make trusted parenting support more accessible, particularly for underserved and isolated parents.
What the future of personalised AI parenting support could look like.
Why human expertise and robust safeguards remain essential as AI becomes part of family life.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introducing aiah and the story behind its development
02:00 Where the idea for an AI parenting companion began
05:00 Why generic ChatGPT wasn't enough for parenting advice
08:00 Building a trusted, curated knowledge base
11:00 What is Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)?
14:00 Why aiah needs to know when it doesn't know
17:00 Testing, evaluating and refining aiah's answers
20:00 Keeping the AI environment secure with AWS Bedrock
23:00 The potential of AI to make parenting support more accessible
26:00 The future of personalised AI parenting support
29:00 The meaning behind the name aiah
ABOUT THE GUEST
Bertha is a serial tech entrepreneur, advanced software developer and AI innovator, with 14 AWS certifications and the prestigious AWS Golden Jacket. She is the founder of MobileGPT, Skhokho, Tati Software and Skolo Online Learning, with extensive experience in building complex software solutions and making technology accessible. As the technical mind behind aiah, she brings deep expertise in AI and software development to the creation of innovative, practical technology that helps parents navigate modern parenting.
FOLLOW BERTHA
Connect with Bertha on LinkedIn.
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg Faure is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based guidance. Hosted by Meg Faure.
The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app with personalised support from pregnancy to five years including routines, nutrition and expert advice.
Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Emotional Regulation in Children: Tantrums, Self-Soothing, Play & Gentle Parenting S9 | Ep234
How do children learn to manage big emotions, and what can parents do to help? In this episode of The Sense by Meg podcast, Meg Faure speaks with Kelli McDermott, a clinical social worker specialising in infant …
Notas do episódio
How do children learn to manage big emotions, and what can parents do to help?
In this episode of The Sense by Meg podcast, Meg Faure speaks with Kelli McDermott, a clinical social worker specialising in infant and early childhood mental health from Georgetown University, about how emotional regulation develops from infancy through the toddler years.
They explore why babies need responsive caregiving, how co-regulation lays the foundation for self-regulation, and why play, language and connection are essential to helping children manage their feelings.
Discover why your child doesn't need to manage every big feeling alone, how to respond when emotions run high and why reconnecting after a tantrum can be more powerful than punishment.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
What emotional regulation really means: How it goes beyond being calm to managing energy, feelings and responses
Co-regulation before self-regulation: Why children learn to regulate their emotions through safe, supportive relationships
Why meeting your baby's needs matters: How responsive caregiving in early childhood builds the foundations for independence.
Why your toddler can do something one day and struggle the next: How temperament, sleep, hunger, frustration and developmental demands affect a child's ability to regulate.
Self-soothing and baby sleep: How to think about sleep through the lens of regulation.
The role of play and language: How stories, songs, play and naming feelings help children practise emotional skills.
Gentle parenting versus permissive parenting: Why empathy and connection can coexist with firm, appropriate boundaries.
How to respond to toddler tantrums: Why connection comes before teaching, and how to help your child feel safe enough to reconnect after a difficult moment.
When your child needs space: How to stay emotionally available without overwhelming a child who needs time to calm down.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introducing Kelli McDermott and the importance of emotional regulation
03:23 What is emotional regulation, and how does it develop?
05:34 From soothing your baby to supporting an independent toddler
07:04 Co-regulation: When children borrow our calm
09:19 Why a child's ability to regulate changes from day to day
11:08 Building the foundations of emotional regulation from birth
13:04 Self-soothing, baby sleep and what the science tells us
17:19 Sleep, family needs and the realities of modern parenting
20:47 How play helps children develop emotional regulation
23:58 Why naming feelings and building emotional vocabulary matter
27:03 Connection, empathy and helping babies feel safe
28:06 Toddler tantrums, boundaries and gentle parenting
33:07 The ABC approach: Acknowledge, Boundary, Choice
35:13 Why connection comes before correction
36:10 Reconnecting after a tantrum without reinforcing unwanted behaviour
38:22 When to offer comfort and when to give your child space
ABOUT THE GUEST
Kelli McDermott is a clinical social worker and mental health clinician who specialises in infant and early childhood mental health from Georgetown University.
Follow Kelli on LinkedIn
Want to dig deeper into regulation? Join us for the next Parent Sense Lunch & Learn for professionals on 13 November 2026.
Kelli joins Meg and Beryl Smith to unpack Regulation before Education and why co-regulation has to come first. Register here.
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCASTSense by Meg Faure is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based guidance. Hosted by Meg Faure.
The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app with personalised support from pregnancy to five years including routines, nutrition and expert advice.
Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Natural Remedies for Babies: What Parents Need to Know S9 | Ep 233
What does “natural” really mean when it comes to your baby’s health? In this episode of The Sense by Meg Faure, Meg chats to Michele Carelse, clinical psychologist turned entrepreneur and founder of Feelgood …
Notas do episódio
What does “natural” really mean when it comes to your baby’s health?
In this episode of The Sense by Meg Faure, Meg chats to Michele Carelse, clinical psychologist turned entrepreneur and founder of Feelgood Health. Michele shares how a growing need for natural health alternatives in her psychology practice inspired her to develop her own remedies, eventually building a business with more than 350 products for the whole family.
Together, they explore what parents should know about choosing natural products, supporting babies through common ailments and sleep challenges, and navigating the growing natural health market.
Michele also opens up about the realities of motherhood and entrepreneurship, the importance of self-care and the lessons she has learnt over 25 years in business.
Whether you're a parent looking for more informed ways to approach your little one's wellbeing or an aspiring entrepreneur with an idea you can't let go of, this conversation offers plenty to think about.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
How Michele went from clinical psychologist to founder of a growing natural health business.
Why her first remedies focused on concentration, ADHD and hyperactivity in children.
What the word “natural” really means and why natural doesn't automatically mean safe or effective.
What parents should consider when reading product labels and choosing natural health products for their families.
Why babies need particular care when it comes to essential oils and herbal remedies.
How natural remedies fit into a broader approach to baby sleep, including routines, sleep hygiene and helping babies feel safe and comfortable.
What Michele's experience has taught her about juggling motherhood, family life and entrepreneurship.
Why being a “good enough” parent matters more than striving for perfection.
The entrepreneurial lessons of persistence, consistency, curiosity and being willing to reinvent yourself.
What's next for Feelgood Health as Michele looks to expand its reach in South Africa and internationally.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome: Natural health, parenting and entrepreneurship
00:42 From clinical psychologist to natural health entrepreneur
04:47 Michele's first remedies for concentration and hyperactivity
06:10 Growing Feelgood Health into a family-focused brand
07:30 Building a business while raising children
10:05 What does “natural” really mean?
14:47 Choosing natural products for babies safely
17:42 When natural remedies aren't enough: trusting your instincts and seeking medical advice
19:23 Baby sleep: a holistic approach to settling and bedtime routines
23:47 Understanding Du-Du Drops and age-specific formulations
26:09 What parents should look for on product labels
29:36 Lessons from 25 years of entrepreneurship
32:30 What's next for Feelgood Health?
34:15 Closing thoughts
ABOUT THE GUEST
Michele Carelse | Founder of Feelgood Health
Michele Carelse is the founder of Feelgood Health, a natural health brand that grew out of her clinical psychology experience working with patients seeking alternatives to conventional approaches.
Explore Feel Good Health to discover their natural health product range and learn more about the brand.
Shop now | Instagram | Facebook
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg Faure is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based guidance. Hosted by OT, author and parenting expert Meg Faure, each episode brings together expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app with personalised support from pregnancy to five years including routines, nutrition and expert advice.
Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
The Magic of Family Mealtimes: Raising Connected Kids in a Screen-Filled World S9 | E232
What if one of the most powerful things you can do for your child happens around the dinner table?In this episode of Sense by Meg, Meg Faure is joined by early childhood educator and parenting expert Sue Atkins …
Notas do episódio
What if one of the most powerful things you can do for your child happens around the dinner table?
In this episode of Sense by Meg, Meg Faure is joined by early childhood educator and parenting expert Sue Atkins to explore why family mealtimes matter far more than we might realise. From language development and emotional connection to building lifelong family rituals, they unpack how everyday moments around the table can help children feel that they belong.
They also discuss the impact of screens on mealtimes, how to navigate resistance when changing established habits, and simple ways to make eating together more enjoyable, from toddlers to teenagers.
No perfect parenting required. Just small, intentional moments that help families reconnect.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
Why family mealtimes support language, listening, turn-taking, emotional expression and a sense of belonging.
How to introduce shared mealtimes from an early age without creating pressure around food.
What screens can take away from family meals, including conversation, connection and opportunities for children to tune into their hunger.
Practical ways to make mealtimes playful, relaxed and engaging for children of different ages.
How to transition away from screens at the table without turning it into a battle.
Conversation starters that encourage children to share more than a one-word answer about their day.
Why consistent family rituals can help you stay connected to your children, even through the teenage years.
How to build better habits without guilt, perfectionism or a complete family routine overhaul.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Meet Sue Atkins: Parenting, Education and the Moments We Remember
01:37 The Golden Moments of Childhood
03:35 What Screens Take Away from Family Mealtimes
05:36 When Should Children Start Eating with the Family?
06:57 How Small Mealtime Rituals Become Lifelong Memories
09:15 Screens at the Table: What Are Children Missing?
11:51 Making Mealtimes Playful, Social and Enjoyable
12:59 Practical Mealtime Ideas for Babies, Young Children and Teens
15:49 Why Family Meals Matter During the Teenage Years
17:09 Start Small: Why Consistency Beats Perfection
18:10 How to Break the Screen-at-Mealtime Habit
20:01 From Distraction to Connection: Practical Ideas That Work
21:18 Conversation Starters That Get Children Talking
22:51 Sue Atkins' Parenting Resources and the Digital Jungle
24:35 Just One More Snake: Helping Children Navigate Screen Time
27:08 Autoplay, Online Safety and Protecting Childhood
29:00 Mindful Parenting Without the Guilt
29:58 The Takeaway: Be a Real Parent, Not a Perfect One
ABOUT THE GUEST
Sue Atkins is an experienced educator, headteacher and parenting expert with more than 22 years of teaching experience. Passionate about protecting childhood while helping families navigate an increasingly digital world, Sue creates practical resources that help parents turn research and good intentions into everyday action. Her work includes Navigating the Digital Jungle and Just One More Snake, her children's book addressing autoplay and the challenges of screen use.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝘂𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀:LinkedIn | Website | Podcast: Listen to Navigating the Digital Jungle
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance. Hosted by OT, author and parenting expert Meg Faure, each episode brings together expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
Inside Parent Sense: From a Baby App to a Global Parenting Support Platform S9 | Ep231
In this special episode of the Sense by Meg Faure, Meg takes us behind the scenes of Parent Sense. Why she created it, the problem she set out to solve, and how the business has evolved from a direct-to-parent …
Notas do episódio
In this special episode of the Sense by Meg Faure, Meg takes us behind the scenes of Parent Sense. Why she created it, the problem she set out to solve, and how the business has evolved from a direct-to-parent app into a B2B2C platform reaching parents through employers, healthcare providers, insurers and other trusted partners.
Joined by Tové de Chazal Gant and Ashleigh Bouguenon, Meg explores the gaps in modern parenting support, the idea of “care deserts”, why digital care can help fill the spaces between healthcare appointments, and how Parent Sense measures whether it is genuinely making a difference in parents’ lives.
The team also discusses trust, engagement, preventative care, maternal mental health, employee wellness and the ambitious goal of reaching one million parents.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN
Why Meg first created Parent Sense and the surprising conversation that prompted her to move from books into an app.
What “care deserts” are and why there are huge gaps between formal healthcare touchpoints.
How digital care can support parents between appointments and reach families who struggle to access traditional healthcare.
Why Parent Sense shifted from a direct-to-consumer model to a B2B2C model through trusted organisations.
How partnerships with medical insurers, employers, brands and other organisations can put parenting support directly into parents’ hands.
Why trust and safety are fundamental to Parent Sense.
Which metrics matter when measuring the impact of a parenting support platform.
How engagement data can become meaningful intelligence about parent behaviour, confidence and healthcare needs.
Why supporting parents is a long-term investment and why the benefits aren't always visible in a current financial year's budget.
What Parent Sense hopes to achieve next, including expanding employee wellness support and reaching underserved parents globally.
Meg's North Star goal of reaching one million parents.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome to a very different Sense by Meg episode
00:36 Why Parent Sense needed to exist
02:15 The problem Meg wanted to solve for parents
03:49 What are “care deserts”?
08:21 What does access for all parents really mean?
09:44 From B2C to B2B2C
12:24 Meet Ashleigh: Taking partnerships to the next level
14:00 How partnerships multiply impact
17:22 The trust circle19:24 How do you measure success?
21:50 From engagement to preventative healthcare
24:13 Turning data into intelligence
27:52 Why isn't every organisation supporting parents?
33:29 Where is Parent Sense going next?
36:09 The A-team behind Parent SenseABOUT THE GUESTS
Tové de Chazal Gant is COO & Co-Founder of Parent Sense. She has played a key role in developing Parent Sense's B2B2C model and its partnerships with medical insurers, employers and other organisations. She is passionate about using data and preventative care to improve outcomes for parents and families.
Ashleigh Bouguenon is Client, Operations & Partnerships Lead at Parent Sense. Ashleigh leads partnerships at Parent Sense, working across the business to build collaborations that benefit parents and families. She connects parents with trusted organisations, products, services and experts, while helping partners reach the families who need them most.
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCASTSense by Meg is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance. Hosted by OT, author and parenting expert Meg Faure, each episode brings together expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
Breast or Bottle: Why Your Baby’s Sensory Personality May Decide with Dr Nellie Balfour S9 | Ep230
Same mum. Same home. Same breast milk. So why did one of Dr Nellie Balfour's boys turn away from the breast within weeks, while his little brother won't let go?The answer has nothing to do with the milk, and …
Notas do episódio
Same mum. Same home. Same breast milk. So why did one of Dr Nellie Balfour's boys turn away from the breast within weeks, while his little brother won't let go?
The answer has nothing to do with the milk, and everything to do with your baby's sensory personality.
In this episode, Meg Faure catches up with paediatrician and mum of two Dr Nellie Balfour as her second baby, Uyakile, turns three months old. What unfolds is a fascinating look at feeding, development and immunity through the eyes of a doctor who is also living it at home.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN
Why slow-to-warm-up babies often pick the bottle, and why social butterflies may prefer the breast
The ingredient in breast milk your baby can't digest at all, and why scientists now believe it matters so much for gut health and immunity
The "falling in love" milestone around three months, and the simple sign that shows it's happeningWhy bringing two tiny hands together is one of your baby's first calming strategies
How Nellie's newborn stayed well while his big brother brought every bug home from school
Government vs private vaccine schedules in South Africa: what's actually different, and does the timing change?
Whether you're breastfeeding, bottle feeding or doing a bit of both, this episode will change how you see your baby's choices.
Want to know your baby's sensory personality? Find out on the Parent Sense app. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome back & meeting Dr Nellie Balfour
01:32 Three months with baby Uyakile
02:23 Combo feeding: breast and bottle
04:02 What are HMOs? Meg explains human milk oligosaccharides and their role in the baby's gut microbiome.
06:43 Why Nellie chose her formula Nellie explains what caught her attention when choosing a formula
07:33 Why some babies prefer the bottle Meg explores feeding preferences through a sensory lens and compares Nellie's two babies.
10:35 Baby milestones at three months Smiling, cooing, eye contact, following and bringing the hands to midline.
12:29 Understanding social-emotional milestones Meg explains the developmental trajectory behind early social connection.
14:48 Falling in love with your baby What happens as babies begin developing preferences for their significant people.
16:22 From connection to communication Meg explains how object permanence, pointing and early social development eventually lay foundations for language.
17:52 Why bringing the hands to midline matters How this movement can become an important calming and soothing strategy.
19:44 Immunity, illness & vaccinations Nellie shares how her baby has managed while his older brother has been exposed to bugs at school.
21:29 Government vs private vaccinations in South Africa Nellie explains the difference between the government EPI schedule and additional private vaccines.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr Nellie Balfour is a paediatrician and mother of two. She returns to Sense by Meg Faure for the 6-week update, following her earlier appearances during her pregnancy and the unexpected birth.
Follow Dr Nellie Balfour on Instagram
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance. Hosted by OT, author and parenting expert Meg Faure, each episode brings together expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
#BabyDevelopment #BabyMilestones #Breastfeeding #ComboFeeding #BottleFeeding #BabyFeeding #BabyHealth #BabyImmunity #Vaccinations #SensoryDevelopment #NewbornBaby #ThreeMonthOldBaby #ParentingPodcast
What It’s Like to Give Birth to Quadruplets + the First Weeks in the NICU
Sam Smith returns to Sense by Meg Faure to share the next chapter of her extraordinary journey: the birth of her four babies at just over 31 weeks and their first four weeks in the NICU.Sam shares the emotional …
Notas do episódio
Sam Smith returns to Sense by Meg Faure to share the next chapter of her extraordinary journey: the birth of her four babies at just over 31 weeks and their first four weeks in the NICU.
Sam shares the emotional reality of her delivery, from her waters breaking in the middle of the night to a C-section involving a team of more than 20 medical professionals, followed by the weeks in the neonatal ICU.
Joining Meg and Sam is Professor Welma Lubbe, a neonatal nursing expert and Parent Sense advisor, who explains how prem babies experience the world through their senses, the importance of skin-to-skin contact and how parents can support their babies as they develop.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
What happened when Sam’s waters unexpectedly broke at just over 31 weeks pregnant
What a planned C-section for premature quads looks like
What to expect when their babies are admitted to the neonatal ICU
Why the period between birth and being able to hold your baby can be so emotionally difficult
How skin-to-skin contact supports bonding, breastfeeding and regulation
What premature babies need from their sensory environment
Why light, sound, touch, smell and temperature matter so much for prem babies
How parents can recognise signs that their baby is becoming overwhelmed
How smell can be used to create familiarity and comfort in the NICU
How breastfeeding and expressing can work when babies are too premature to feed fully at the breast
What parents can do to prepare prem babies for the transition from tube feeding to breast or bottle feeding
What factors doctors consider before a premature baby is ready to go home
Why parents' confidence and readiness are also important parts of the transition home
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome back, Sam
01:04 Meet Professor Welma Lubbe
03:43 The night Sam’s waters broke
05:08 Arriving at hospital and preparing for delivery
07:30 The quads arrive at just over 31 weeks
08:33 Inside the operating theatre: a team of more than 20
13:33 The first days in the NICU
15:30 The emotional experience of not being able to hold your babies
18:22 Skin-to-skin, cuddles and the first breastfeeding attempts
21:55 Sam’s breastfeeding and expressing journey
26:18 Understanding the sensory world of premature babies
27:58 Using smell to comfort and prepare babies for feeding
28:28 Touch, sucking and creating a womb-like environment
30:22 Learning to read your premature baby’s signals
31:46 When illness enters the NICU journey
35:29 The incredible NICU team behind premature babies
39:01 What premature babies need before leaving hospital
ABOUT THE GUEST
Sam Smith
Sam is a Cape Town-based mum mom of five including her quadruplets. She previously joined Sense by Meg to share her pregnancy journey.
Follow Sam Smith on Instagram | @samsmithofcapetown
Professor Welma Lubbe
Prof Welma is a professor of nursing at the North-West University and a specialist voice in the field of neonates and premature babies. She is also an advisor to the Parent Sense app in the neonatal and premature-baby space.
Follow Prof Welma on LinkedIn
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is the parenting podcast from occupational therapist, parenting expert and Parent Sense founder Meg Faure.
With more than 20 years of experience in occupational therapy and a special focus on infant regulation, sensory processing, attachment and early relationships, Meg brings together leading experts, researchers and parents to explore the science behind raising happy, healthy and resilient children.
The podcast is part of Parent Sense, a science-backed parenting solution designed to help parents understand their children and feel more confident in their parenting journey.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition and expert advice.
Download the Parent Sense app and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
Why Crawling Is The “Superfood” of Baby Development S9 | Ep228
Crawling is about so much more than getting your baby from A to B. In this episode of Sense by Meg Faure, Meg and Parent Sense COO Tové de Chazal Gant dive into why crawling is such an important developmental …
Notas do episódio
Crawling is about so much more than getting your baby from A to B. In this episode of Sense by Meg Faure, Meg and Parent Sense COO Tové de Chazal Gant dive into why crawling is such an important developmental milestone and why parents shouldn’t be too quick to rush their baby towards walking.
Meg explains how crawling supports muscle tone, vestibular and proprioceptive development, bilateral coordination, fine motor skills, spatial awareness and problem-solving. They also explore how your baby’s sensory personality can influence when and how they crawl, what parents can do to encourage crawling, and what it means if a baby skips crawling altogether.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN
Why crawling is considered a developmental “superfood”
Why the sequence of sitting → crawling → walking matters
When babies typically start crawling
How crawling supports muscle tone, sensory development and coordination
How your baby’s sensory personality can influence crawling
How tummy time prepares babies for crawling
What to do if your baby skips crawling
What parents should know about baby walkers, walking rings and jumpers
How crawling may support later fine motor, spatial and problem-solving skills
Simple ways to encourage your baby to crawl through everyday play
CHAPTERS
00:00 Why is crawling a developmental “superfood”? Meg explains why crawling is much more than a milestone in itself and why so many later developmental skills are built on it.
02:18 Why crawling can be harder than sitting Why crawling is a complex developmental skill
03:42 Why parents shouldn’t rush towards walking Meg explains why crawling deserves more time and attention before your baby gets upright.
06:13 When should babies start crawling? The typical range for crawling and why the sequence of milestones may be more important than the exact age.
07:47 Crawling, the vestibular system and muscle tone How movement stimulates the vestibular system and contributes to the muscle tone babies need to work against gravity.
10:21 Proprioception: your baby’s internal body map How crawling helps babies understand where their body is in space.
12:23 Bilateral integration and brain development Why reciprocal crawling matters for coordinating the two sides of the body.
12:42 Your baby’s sensory personality and crawling How sensory-sensitive, sensory-seeking, slow-to-warm-up and settled babies may approach crawling differently.
16:42 How to encourage your baby to crawl Practical ways parents can adapt the environment and support their baby according to their sensory needs.
19:27 What if your baby skips crawling? Meg explains why some babies go from sitting to walking and what parents can do if crawling is missed.
21:49 Why are more babies skipping crawling? The impact of the Back to Sleep campaign, tummy time and the modern “container culture” on opportunities for movement.
23:50 Baby walkers, walking rings and jumpersMeg shares what parents should consider when using developmental equipment and why movement on the floor matters.
26:20 Can crawling affect later skills?How crawling may support fine motor control, bilateral integration, spatial awareness and problem-solving.
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG FURE PODCAST
Sense by Meg is the parenting podcast from occupational therapist, parenting expert and Parent Sense founder Meg Faure.
With more than 20 years of experience in OT and a special focus on infant regulation, sensory processing, attachment and early relationships, Meg brings together leading experts, researchers and parents to explore the science behind raising happy, healthy and resilient children.
The podcast is part of Parent Sense, a science-backed parenting solution designed to help parents understand their children and feel more confident in their parenting journey.
Download the Parent Sense app and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
Have we been asking the wrong questions about screen time all along? S9 | Ep227
Technology is everywhere in family life, but does that mean it has to be all-or-nothing?In this episode, Meg speaks to Rachel Barr, researcher at Georgetown University, about what 25 years of research tells us …
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Technology is everywhere in family life, but does that mean it has to be all-or-nothing?
In this episode, Meg speaks to Rachel Barr, researcher at Georgetown University, about what 25 years of research tells us about young children, technology and learning. They unpack why not all technology is created equal, the impact of technoference on parent-child connection, how algorithms are designed to keep us watching and why some screen experiences can be more supportive of learning than others.
Rachel also shares practical ways parents can use technology more intentionally, from creating family media plans and finding natural “off-ramps” to using joint media engagement to support language and learning.
Most importantly, this conversation moves away from rigid rules and parenting guilt towards something more realistic: making a plan that works for your family and revisiting it as your family changes.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
Why not all technology is created equal
What technoference is and how phones, notifications and background TV can interrupt parent-child interactions
How background television can disrupt children's play, even when they aren't actively watching it
What an “off-ramp” is and why natural stopping points can make transitions easier
Whether using screens to calm a child can affect their developing self-regulation skills
How to create a flexible family media plan
What joint media engagement is and why parental involvement can make such a difference
What to look for when choosing content for young children
Rachel's one guiding principle for technology during the first 1 000 days: make a plan and revisit it
CHAPTERS
02:59 Is all technology created equal?
05:28 What is technoference?
07:18 How phones and background TV can disrupt play
13:10 Designing technology with an “off-ramp”
15:04 Screens, tantrums and using technology to calm children
19:47 Do tech detoxes actually work?
20:35 Creating a family media plan
24:20 Moving beyond rigid screen-time rules
27:28 Technology, language development and joint media engagement
30:26 Why parental involvement can transform screen learning
35:14 What makes good content for young children?
36:52 Why highly stimulating content can be harder to process
38:07 Rachel's one technology guideline for the first 1,000 days
Dr. Rachel shared her ultimate resource guide including infographics, research and suggested content for your little ones especially with us. Download it HERE
ABOUT THE GUEST
Rachel Barr is a researcher at Georgetown University who has spent more than 25 years studying how babies and young children learn, particularly in relation to media and technology.
Her research has explored children's learning from television and touchscreens, video chat, parent-child interactions and the ways families use technology. She is particularly interested in how parents and caregivers can support young children's learning and development in an increasingly digital world.
In this conversation, Rachel brings a research-led but refreshingly nuanced perspective to a topic that can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and guilty.
Follow Rachel Barr on LinkedIn
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG FURE PODCASTSense by Meg is the parenting podcast from occupational therapist, parenting expert and Parent Sense founder Meg Faure.
With more than 20 years of experience in OT and a special focus on infant regulation, sensory processing, attachment and early relationships, Meg brings together leading experts, researchers and parents to explore the science behind raising happy, healthy and resilient children.
The podcast is part of Parent Sense, a science-backed parenting solution designed to help parents understand their children and feel more confident in their parenting journey.
Download the Parent Sense app and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
BABY POO 101: What's normal, what's not & when to worry. S9 | Ep 226
Let’s talk about the topic every new parent becomes obsessed with: poo. From those first sticky meconium nappies to breastfed baby poo, formula-fed stools, starting solids and the dreaded constipation, there’s …
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Let’s talk about the topic every new parent becomes obsessed with: poo.
From those first sticky meconium nappies to breastfed baby poo, formula-fed stools, starting solids and the dreaded constipation, there’s a lot for parents to decode.
In this episode of Sense by Meg, Meg Faure is joined by paediatric dietitian Lucy Jackman, founder of The Happy Tummy Dietitian, to unpack what’s normal, what’s not, and when your baby or child’s poo might need closer attention.
Together, they explore everything from green, frothy or mucus-filled stools to blood in the nappy, infant dyschezia, true constipation, food allergies, hydration, fibre, toilet positioning and practical ways to help your little one develop healthy bowel habits.
If you’ve ever found yourself staring into a nappy wondering, “Is THIS normal?”, this episode is for you.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN
What normal baby poo looks like at different stages
What green, frothy, mucus-filled or bloody stools can mean
How breastfed and formula-fed poo differ
What changes when your baby starts solids
The difference between infant dyschezia and constipation
The signs of true constipation and when to seek help
How food, fluids and fibre can support healthy bowel movements
Practical ways to manage constipation and establish good toilet habits
Whether teething really affects your baby’s poo
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Why parents obsess over poo
01:10 – Your baby’s first poo: meconium
03:20 – What’s normal for breastfed babies?
07:50 – Mucus and blood: when to worry
13:50 – Formula-fed baby poo
16:00 – Poo after starting solids
18:20 – Straining vs constipation
20:40 – Signs of true constipation
23:00 – Cow’s milk allergy and constipation
24:20 – Breaking the constipation cycle
26:40 – Foods, fluids and fibre
28:30 – Toilet habits and positioning
30:10 – Laxatives and treating constipation
32:00 – Does teething change poo?
ABOUT THE GUEST
Lucy Jackman is a registered paediatric dietitian based in London, where she leads two specialist services at Great Ormond Street Hospital: motility and neurogastroenterology, focusing on disorders of the gut-brain interaction, and complex GI allergies, including eosinophilic esophagitis and eosinophilic GI disease.
Alongside her NHS work, Lucy runs The Happy Tummy Dietitian and sits on the Allied Health Professionals Committee for ESPGHAN, contributing to educational materials and position papers.
Follow The Happy Tummy Dietitian:Website: https://www.thehappytummydietitian.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehappytummydietitian/
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG FURE PODCAST
Sense by Meg is the parenting podcast from occupational therapist, parenting expert and Parent Sense founder Meg Faure.
With more than 20 years of experience in occupational therapy and a special focus on infant regulation, sensory processing, attachment and early relationships, Meg brings together leading experts, researchers and parents to explore the science behind raising happy, healthy and resilient children.
From pregnancy and newborn sleep to feeding, development, behaviour, technology and family wellbeing, Sense by Meg turns expert knowledge into practical guidance that parents can actually use.
The podcast is part of Parent Sense, a science-backed parenting solution designed to help parents understand their children and feel more confident in their parenting journey.
Download the Parent Sense app and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
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#BabyPoo #BabyPoop #BabyConstipation #InfantDyschezia #BabyGutHealth #GutHealth #ChildhoodConstipation #BabyHealth #StartingSolids #Weaning #NewParents #ParentingTips #ParentingAdvice #BabyHealth #ParentingPodcast
30 Weeks Pregnant with Quadruplets: Preparing for the NICU, Feeding & Breast Milk | S9 | Ep225
Sam Smith is back on Sense by Meg, and this time she’s 30 weeks pregnant with quadruplets.After previously sharing her extraordinary pregnancy journey, Sam joins Meg Faure and paediatric dietitian Kath Megaw to …
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Sam Smith is back on Sense by Meg, and this time she’s 30 weeks pregnant with quadruplets.
After previously sharing her extraordinary pregnancy journey, Sam joins Meg Faure and paediatric dietitian Kath Megaw to talk about navigating the final weeks of a high-risk multiple pregnancy, getting enough nutrition when there simply isn’t much room to eat, and preparing for what comes next.
Kath shares practical guidance on protein, calories, smoothies and supplements during the third trimester, before unpacking what Sam can expect when her four babies arrive and enter the NICU. They discuss TPN, donor breast milk, colostrum, establishing breast milk production, skin-to-skin contact and the important role Sam can play in her babies’ feeding journey.
With Sam now at 30 weeks, the focus is on reaching the next milestone while preparing emotionally and practically for the birth of four premature babies.
If you enjoy this episode, please give us a 5-star rating!
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN
How to increase calories without having to eat significantly larger meals
What to look for when choosing a protein powder during pregnancy
How nutrition can support placental health and fetal growth
Why protein is particularly important during pregnancy, especially with multiple placentas and growing babies
What TPN (parenteral nutrition) is and why it may be used in the NICU
How donor breast milk can support premature babies while a mother establishes her own milk supply
The role of colostrum in the early days after birth
How mothers can contribute to their babies’ NICU journey through breast milk and skin-to-skin contact
How mums can look after their own nutrition while establishing breast milk production
What Sam is preparing for as she gets closer to the planned birth of her four babies
CHAPTERS
00:47 How is the quadruplet pregnancy going?
05:50 Eating during a quadruplet pregnancy
13:37 Can nutrition influence baby’s growth?
15:49 Preparing for the NICU
18:33 What happens when premature babies enter the NICU?
20:15 TPN, breast milk & early feeding
23:02 A mother’s role in the NICU
24:42 Colostrum & establishing breast milk
26:18 Nutrition and breast milk production
28:34 What’s next for Sam?
ABOUT THE GUEST
Sam Smith is a Cape Town-based mum who is currently pregnant with quadruplets. She previously joined Sense by Meg to share her pregnancy journey and returns at 30 weeks to talk honestly about the physical realities of carrying four babies, preparing for the NICU and getting ready for life with four newborns alongside her toddler, Teddy.
Follow Sam Smith on Instagram: @samsmithofcapetown
𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘄Kath Megaw is a paediatric dietitian and a specialist voice in infant nutrition. She is the CEO of Nutripaeds Follow along on Instagram: @nutripaeds
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is the parenting podcast from occupational therapist, parenting expert and Parent Sense founder Meg Faure.
With more than 20 years of experience in occupational therapy and a special focus on infant regulation, sensory processing, attachment and early relationships, Meg brings together leading experts, researchers and parents to explore the science behind raising happy, healthy and resilient children.
The podcast is part of Parent Sense, a science-backed parenting solution designed to help parents understand their children and feel more confident in their parenting journey.
Download the app here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
What I Didn't Expect: A Paediatrician's First 6 Weeks with Her Own Baby | S9 EP224
What is really happening at six weeks with your baby and what can you expect from this important stage?In this episode of Sense by Meg Faure, Meg checks in with paediatrician Dr Nellie Balfour as she continues …
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What is really happening at six weeks with your baby and what can you expect from this important stage?
In this episode of Sense by Meg Faure, Meg checks in with paediatrician Dr Nellie Balfour as she continues to navigate life with her second baby, Uyakile. At six weeks old, he is already showing some fascinating differences from his older brother, from his temperament and sleep to his social engagement.
Nellie shares what it feels like to be a second-time mum, why she feels more confident this time around and how experience has changed the way she responds to the inevitable challenges of newborn life.
Meg and Nellie explore the six-week developmental window, including early smiles, tummy time and eye contact. They also dive into the fascinating idea of sensory personality, comparing Nellie's firstborn's slow-to-warm-up temperament with her new baby's more settled and potentially social nature.
It's an honest, reassuring snapshot of life with a six-week-old and another beautiful chapter in Nellie's real-time journey through pregnancy, birth and early motherhood.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:
Why being a second-time mum can feel very different from the first time
What babies may be doing developmentally around six weeks
When babies typically begin showing their social smile
Why tummy time, eye contact, head lifting and visual tracking matter
How temperament and sensory personality can begin to emerge
The difference between a slow-to-warm-up baby, a settled baby and a potential social butterfly
What breastfeeding can look like when exclusive breastfeeding isn't possible
The emotional side of breastfeeding and stopping breastfeeding
What happens during a typical six-week paediatric check-up
Why growth curves matter more than focusing on a single weight
How Nellie's experience as both a paediatrician and a mother shapes her parenting journey
CHAPTERS
01:00 Why the second baby feels differentNellie explains why she feels more confident and less anxious this time around.
03:20 The six-week fussiness phase Is Uyakile fussy? Nellie compares his temperament and sleep with her firstborn.
05:50 The six-week smile When does the social smile appear and is that early smile really a smile?
07:15 Tummy time, head control and eye contact The early developmental milestones Uyakile is already showing.
08:00 Two brothers, two very different temperaments Why Nellie thinks one child may be a slow-to-warm-up baby while the other could become a social butterfly.
09:00 Understanding sensory personality Meg explains how sensory sensitivity, fussiness and social engagement can relate to temperament.
13:00 Breastfeeding, formula and mixed feeding Nellie shares honestly about feeding her second baby and managing her milk supply.
15:25 The emotional side of breastfeeding Why stopping breastfeeding can feel like a genuine loss and why the “lasts” of motherhood can be emotional.
21:30 The six-week paediatric check-up What parents can expect from the appointment, including vaccinations, growth, feeding and developmental checks.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr Nellie Balfour is a paediatrician and mother of two. She returns to Sense by Meg Faure for the 6-week update, following her earlier appearances during her pregnancy and the unexpected birth.
Follow Dr Nellie Balfour on Instagram
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance. Hosted by OT, author and parenting expert Meg Faure, each episode brings together expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
Meg Faure
Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Parent Sense
You Don’t Have to Be a Perfect Parent: The Power of Connection, Repair & Relational Health
What if raising a thriving child isn't about getting parenting right, but about connection?In this episode Meg Faure speaks to paediatrician and professor of paediatrics at Georgetown University, Dr David …
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What if raising a thriving child isn't about getting parenting right, but about connection?
In this episode Meg Faure speaks to paediatrician and professor of paediatrics at Georgetown University, Dr David Willis, about early relational health. The powerful role that connection, attachment, co-regulation and meaningful moments play in a baby's development.
They also unpack some of the challenges facing modern parents, including the loss of the village, information overload, technology and the pressure to be a “perfect” parent.
Most importantly, Dr David offers a deeply reassuring message to parents who feel they have already made mistakes:
It is never too late to repair.
Relationships are built through thousands of small moments that don't need to be perfect, they simply need to happen.
And when things go wrong, there is always another opportunity to reconnect.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN
- Why modern parents may be experiencing more pressure than previous generations
- Why parents don't need to constantly “intervene” to support their child's development
- Why eye contact, reading, talking, feeding and everyday routines can become powerful moments of connection
- Why repair may be more important than perfection
- How the loss of the traditional “village” has changed the parenting experience
- Why parents should spend less time trying to know everything and more time being with their baby
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr David W. Willis
Dr David Willis is a paediatrician, developmental-behavioural paediatrician and leading voice in the field of early relational health.
He is a professor of paediatrics and psychiatry at Georgetown University and leads Nurture Connection, an impact network focused on advancing early relational health and strengthening connections between children, families and communities.
Follow Dr David Willis on LinkedIn.
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance. Hosted by OT & author Meg Faure, each episode brings expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported.
The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Parent Sense
Why Working Parents Are the Untapped Talent Every Employer Needs
What if the biggest talent pool businesses are overlooking isn't graduates or overseas recruitment, but working parents?In this eye-opening episode, Meg Faure sits down with Denise Heavey, founder of Mentorhood …
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What if the biggest talent pool businesses are overlooking isn't graduates or overseas recruitment, but working parents?
In this eye-opening episode, Meg Faure sits down with Denise Heavey, founder of Mentorhood Jersey, to unpack the cost of outdated workplace models. From the motherhood penalty and fatherhood forfeit to rebuilding the lost village, this conversation challenges everything we think we know about work, parenting and success.
Meg and Denise discuss why traditional workplace structures no longer serve modern families, how flexible work benefits both employers and employees and why parenting develops some of the strongest leadership skills imaginable.
Whether you're a parent returning to work, an employer building a team or someone passionate about family wellbeing, this episode will change your perspective.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
✔ Why parents are the world's largest hidden workforce
✔ How becoming a parent actually makes you a stronger employee and leader
✔ Why flexible work is about better job design, not lower standards
✔ The importance of rebuilding the "village" for modern parents
✔ Practical first steps for rebuilding confidence before returning to work
ABOUT THE GUEST
Denise Heavey is the founder of Mentorhood Jersey, an organisation dedicated to helping parents successfully return to work while advocating for more family-friendly workplaces.
Denise works with employers, government and community organisations to redesign work around modern family life. Through workshops, career coaching and advocacy,
Follow Denise Heavey on LinkedIn
If you’re in Jersey, join the Mentorhood Support Group on Facebook:
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance. Hosted by OT, author and parenting expert Meg Faure, each episode brings together expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Parent Sense
When a Paediatrician Becomes the Patient: Dr Nellie Balfour's own NICU Story
Dr Nellie Balfour is a paediatrician and spent years telling anxious parents their babies were safe in the NICU. But when it was her own son on the monitor, and the numbers she understood too well it was a …
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Dr Nellie Balfour is a paediatrician and spent years telling anxious parents their babies were safe in the NICU. But when it was her own son on the monitor, and the numbers she understood too well it was a whole different experience.
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we welcome back Dr Nellie Balfour to share the birth story of her second son. It's a story about when a paediatrician becomes the patient, and what happens when medical expertise collides with a mother's fear.
Nellie's pregnancy took a sharp turn after week 34. Her baby wasn't growing as expected, and daily monitoring eventually revealed fetal distress. What followed was an emergency caesarean and a birth weight far smaller than anyone had anticipated.
Nellie speaks candidly about what it meant to leave hospital without her baby, and how being a doctor made that harder, not easier. We also unpack the emotional toll of a high-risk delivery and how this experience is reshaping her own bedside manner as a paediatrician.
Nellie shares her experience with the rare honesty of someone who has sat on both sides of the NICU glass.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
- What fetal distress actually means and how it's detected on a CTG
- Why an umbilical cord around the neck can restrict growth and movement in utero
- How compensated preeclampsia can go undetected until late pregnancy
- What low platelet counts can signal in newborns, and why they're taken seriously
- Why delayed cord clamping and skin-to-skin can still happen after an emergency C-section
- What it's really like for a mother to leave hospital without her baby
- When the RSV vaccine is offered to newborns and why timing matters
- How combining breastfeeding, expressed milk, and formula can support a fragile newborn
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr Nellie Balfour is a paediatrician and mother of two. She returns to Sense by Meg Faure to share the birth story of her second son, following her earlier appearance during her pregnancy. Her professional experience in the NICU gave her a unique, and at times harder, vantage point on her own son's care.
Follow Dr Nellie Balfour: @drnelliepaeds
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance. Hosted by OT, author and parenting expert Meg Faure, each episode brings together expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition and expert advice.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Parent Sense
Ambition and Mum Guilt: The Truth About Returning to Work After Baby S9 | E220
Ambition and mom guilt can live in the same brain at the very same time.On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we sit down with Madge Booth, host of the Moments podcast, who recently joined the Parent …
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Ambition and mom guilt can live in the same brain at the very same time.
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we sit down with Madge Booth, host of the Moments podcast, who recently joined the Parent Sense team, to unpack why so many moms feel like they're failing at work and at home simultaneously.
We challenge the idea that moms can ever find a neat work-life balance and highlight that the traditional nine-to-five model was built before moms were such a big part of the workforce.
Meg shares the story of finding out she was pregnant with her third child the same week she launched Baby Sense.
The conversation moves into what employers get wrong when mothers return from leave and how the whole process needs far more humanity than most workplaces currently offer.
This episode gives working moms permission to let go of the guilt, and gives employers a picture of what real support looks like.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
- Why the traditional nine-to-five was never built with mothers in mind
- What matrescence is, and why returning to work can feel like reversing that transformation
- How to stop chasing "work-life balance" and what to focus on instead
- Why ambition and mom guilt can coexist without one having to win
- What HR teams and employers consistently get wrong (and right) when moms return
- Why careers don't need to be a straight line to still be good ones
ABOUT THE GUEST
Madge Booth is a working mom, media professional and the creator of The MOMents Podcast. After a decade in women’s magazines, she moved into marketing and recently joined the Parent Sense team.
She started The MOMents Podcast for working moms figuring out life, while walking the tightrope between her career and her family.
Follow the MOMents Podcast
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance. Hosted by OT, author and parenting expert Meg Faure, each episode brings together expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition and expert advice.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Parent Sense
#SenseByMegFaure #ParentSense #WorkingMoms #MomGuilt #ReturnToWork #Matrescence #WorkLifeBalance #MegFaure #NewMoms #MaternityLeave
The Scan That Changed Everything: A Quad Pregnancy Story | S9 | E219
One in 500 000 pregnancies happens without fertility treatment and results in quads. Sam Smith is living that statistic right now, 23 weeks pregnant with four babies she never expected. On this week's episode …
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One in 500 000 pregnancies happens without fertility treatment and results in quads. Sam Smith is living that statistic right now, 23 weeks pregnant with four babies she never expected.
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we sit down with Sam Smith, who is 23 weeks into a spontaneous quad pregnancy, alongside returning guest Tasha, our resident multiples nurse. Sam and her partner Jan already have a toddler son, Teddy. They were hoping for one more baby. Instead, an eight week scan revealed four.
Sam walks us through that first scan in detail. She describes watching her doctor's expression change as he kept counting. Twins became triplets. Triplets became quads. There was no IVF involved.
Sam's honesty about the first trimester, the sleepless nights after the diagnosis, and the sheer physical discomfort of carrying four babies makes this one of the most human conversations we've had on the podcast.
If you've ever wondered what a spontaneous quad pregnancy actually looks like day to day, this episode answers it.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
How a routine eight week scan turned into a quad diagnosis, and what that moment felt like for Sam and her partner Jan.
The difference between monochorionic (shared placenta) and dichorionic twins, and why it matters for risk.
What twin to twin transfusion is and why the 24 week mark is a milestone in multiples pregnancies.
How delivery planning works for quads, including hospital selection by gestational week and NICU team size.
Practical breastfeeding strategies for multiples: pumping, donor milk, tandem feeding, and combination feeding.
Why "getting help" isn't a compromise, it's the plan, according to multiples nurse Tasha.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Sam Smith is currently 23 weeks into a spontaneous quad pregnancy, expecting four babies with no fertility treatment involved. She lives in Cape Town with her partner Jan and their toddler son, Teddy. Sam is sharing her pregnancy in real time, from the shock of the diagnosis through to preparing for delivery and life with five children under three.
Follow Sam's journey on Instagram: @SamSmithofCapeTown
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance. Hosted by OT, author and parenting expert Meg Faure, each episode brings together expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition and expert advice.
FOLLOW US
Meg Faure
Parent Sense
The Dual Legacy: What Every Parent Should Know About Money and Values | S9 | E218
Most parents think legacy means a will they'll sort out one day. Certified financial planner from Meta Heights Capital, Lerato Mahasha says that's only half the story.Meg and Lerato talks to about the "dual …
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Most parents think legacy means a will they'll sort out one day. Certified financial planner from Meta Heights Capital, Lerato Mahasha says that's only half the story.
Meg and Lerato talks to about the "dual legacy": the assets you leave behind and the values that go with them. Lerato explains why families over-index on money and leave values to "someday."
They cover which debts to kill first, why retirement usually beats education savings and the biggest money mistake parents make in a child's first five years. Lerato also breaks down what happens to your children and your estate if you die without a will, and how to actually choose a guardian.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
- What the "dual legacy" is, and why most families only plan for half of it
- The first financial move to make, even on a tight budget
- Retirement or education savings: which comes first
- The biggest money mistake parents make in the first five years
- What happens to your children and estate if you die without a will
- Simple ways to pass down values through stories and family traditions
ABOUT THE GUEST
Lerato Mahasha is a Certified Financial Planner at Meta Heights Capital, helping families build financial strategies alongside wills, trusts and estate planning.
REACH OUT TO META HEIGHTS CAPITAL
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ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance. Hosted by OT, author and parenting expert Meg Faure, each episode brings together expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition and expert advice.
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From Couple to Co-Parents: The Psychological Shift Every New Dad Goes Through | S9 | E217
When a baby arrives, the spotlight falls on the mother. Her body, her recovery, her bond with the baby. But there's a quieter transformation happening on the other side of the room. A man is becoming a father …
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When a baby arrives, the spotlight falls on the mother. Her body, her recovery, her bond with the baby. But there's a quieter transformation happening on the other side of the room. A man is becoming a father, and almost nobody is asking how he's doing.
Meg Faure sits down with psychologist Dr Ange Nespola to talk about what dads actually go through in those first weeks and months. The identity shift, the loss of connection to their partner, the pressure to hold it together and the postnatal depression that often gets missed entirely.
In This Episode You'll Learn
- Why becoming a dad is a major identity transformation, not just a support role
- What "primary maternal preoccupation" is, and what it means for a father's place in the family system
- Why marital satisfaction drops for most couples in the first year
- How to bring dad into hands-on caregiving without pushing him out
- Why so many dads feel like a third wheel, especially during breastfeeding
- The real numbers on paternal postnatal depression, why it looks different to maternal depression and why it's so often missed
- How to navigate the division of labour without turning it into a tally
- A practical approach to splitting night shifts that doesn't leave both parents sleep deprived
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr Ange Nespola is a psychologist who works with couples navigating the transition to parenthood, drawing on both clinical practice and her own recent experience as a mother of two.
Follow Dr. Ange
EPISODE REFERENCES
- Gottman Institute research on marital satisfaction after childbirth
- D.W. Winnicott's concept of primary maternal preoccupation,
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg Faure is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance through pregnancy, babyhood and the toddler years. Hosted by Occupational Therapist, author and parenting expert Meg Faure. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app. Download HERE
FOLLOW US:
Meg Faure:
Parent Sense:
#NewFatherhood #PostnatalDepressionInDads #MarriageAfterBaby #ParentSense #EvidenceBasedParenting
Grief, Love, and the Woman You Left Behind: Meg Faure on Motherhood's Hidden Transition S8 | E216
On this week’s episode of Sense by Meg Faure, we explore the identity shift nobody prepares you for. Meg Faure hands the hosting mic to Madge Booth - founder of the MOMents podcast for working mums - and the …
Notas do episódio
On this week’s episode of Sense by Meg Faure, we explore the identity shift nobody prepares you for. Meg Faure hands the hosting mic to Madge Booth - founder of the MOMents podcast for working mums - and the conversation that follows is one of the most honest this podcast has ever held.
What Is Matrescence?
Matrescence is the term for the transition from woman to mother. Meg compares it directly to adolescence - with its hormonal upheaval, neurological rewiring, and complete identity reorganisation. The difference is that adolescence unfolds over years. Matrescence happens within hours of giving birth.
Research shows that grey matter in the maternal brain changes fundamentally after birth and stays changed for up to two years. It doesn’t mean cognitive loss - it means the brain’s energy is being redirected towards keeping a new human alive. Primary maternal preoccupation is real, biological, and entirely normal.
Grief and Love at the Same Time
One of the most powerful themes in this conversation is the grief that lives alongside love. Meg is direct: you can adore your child completely and at the same time mourn the woman you used to be. The woman who could leave the house without a nappy bag. Who went to the toilet alone. Who had full cognitive agency over her own life.
Returning to Work: The Juggle Nobody Acknowledges
The majority of mothers return to work within months of giving birth. Meg unpacks what happens in that transition: the expectation to step back into your old professional mould, while carrying a permanent cognitive load that never fully switches off. At least until your children reach their mid-twenties, she says, there is never a minute of the day that you don’t know where they are.
Who Is Most Vulnerable?
Some women face a harder transition. Meg identifies key risk factors: inadequate support structures, a history of anxiety or depression, fertility struggles or birth trauma, and the intergenerational patterns psychologist Fraiberg called ‘ghosts in the nursery’.
Five Ways to Hold On to Yourself
- Meg offers five practical anchors for navigating this transition - especially for those without close family support:
- Name it. Knowing that matrescence is real is the first act of self-compassion. When it feels like a mess, name it. You don’t have to have it perfect.
- Keep one anchor to your pre-baby self. One yoga class a week. One date night. One thing that is just yours.
- Build your village. Whether it’s Paddle and Prams, Stroller Strides, or Baby Hub in Cape Town - find your community and invest there.
- Lower the bar deliberately. Say no to things. Let the laundry wait. Drop the balls that don’t matter.
You Are Not Less. You Are Becoming More.
The identity shift nobody prepares you for is also the one that quietly prepares you for everything that comes next. Meg’s closing words carry the whole episode: you have not lost yourself. You are being rewritten. The invisible developmental leap happening inside you - at the precise moment everyone is asking about the baby and not about you - is not weakness. It is the most significant transition of your adult life.
The parts of you that feel like they’re falling apart are quietly building something extraordinary. In the mess and the magic of this moment, you are not less. You are becoming more.
ABOUT TODAY’S GUEST HOST
Madge Booth is a mum of two with a background in women’s magazines and marketing. She is the founder and host of MOMents - a podcast for smart, tired, ambitious women ready to change the conversation around motherhood and work. Find MOMents wherever you get your podcasts.
APGAR Scores, Delayed Cord Clamping and Hospital Bag Essentials with Dr Nellie Balfour S8 | E215
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure, Meg sits down with Dr. Nellie Balfour - a paediatrician who is 35 weeks pregnant with her second child - to talk through everything you need to know about what …
Notas do episódio
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure, Meg sits down with Dr. Nellie Balfour - a paediatrician who is 35 weeks pregnant with her second child - to talk through everything you need to know about what happens the moment your baby is born. This is episode three of their real-time pregnancy series, and it's one of the most practical and reassuring conversations the show has produced.
Dr. Nellie is having an elective C-section at 38 weeks. She's packed the bag, she's thought through the birth plan, and she brings both her medical knowledge and her personal experience as a second-time mum to every part of this conversation.
Sensory Personalities-Who Is This Baby?
Meg and Nellie open with the question every third-trimester parent is really asking: who is this little person? Nellie's baby has been doing somersaults all pregnancy, and Meg explains what that might mean in terms of sensory personality. She walks through the four sensory types - settled, slow to warm up, social butterfly, and sensitive - and what each means for how you parent in those early months.
The Hospital Bag -What You Actually Need
Nellie unpacks her hospital bag in detail. For a C-section specifically, the focus shifts almost entirely to postnatal comfort rather than labour preparation. Her list covers maternity essentials from the Carrywell range, a front-button nightie over pyjama pants (the elastic irritates the scar), breast pads for when the milk arrives on day two or three, a breastfeeding pillow, flip flops for the shared shower, and the one item people consistently forget: a phone charger.
She also covers the baby bag: two nappy sizes because estimated weights from ultrasounds aren't always accurate, unscented wipes, cotton wool with surgical spirits for the umbilical stump, swaddles, beanies, and a dummy.
Delayed Cord Clamping, First Baths, and the Delivery Room
Nellie explains delayed cord clamping in plain terms: by waiting 30 to 60 seconds before clamping, blood transfers from mum to baby, reducing the risk of anaemia and jaundice. It happens in elective C-sections and, where safe, in emergency sections too.
Then Meg asks Nellie to step fully into her paediatrician role and describe exactly what happens the moment your baby is born - what she's looking for when baby is passed to her in the delivery room. Nellie walks through the full newborn check: why a cry matters (it confirms oxygen is moving through the lungs), why blue skin is normal at first, what a floppy baby signals, and how the head-to-toe examination works. Clear, calm, and genuinely demystifying.
This episode won't change what happens in your delivery room, but it will mean you understand it. That's worth a lot.
About Today's Guest
Dr. Nellie Balfour is a paediatrician currently 35 weeks pregnant with her second child. She has been documenting her pregnancy journey in real time on the Sense by Meg Faure podcast across three episodes - first trimester, second trimester, and now the third. Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnelliepaeds/
Episode References and Links
📱 Parent Sense App — your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off. https://parentsense.app/
Connect with Meg Faure
Web: megfaure.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/
Your Baby's Feeding Masterclass: What Every Parent Needs to Know (But Nobody Tells You) S8 | E214
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we sit down with renowned Clinical Paediatric Dietitian Kath Megaw for the ultimate baby and toddler feeding masterclass. We cover everything from the newborn milk …
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On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we sit down with renowned Clinical Paediatric Dietitian Kath Megaw for the ultimate baby and toddler feeding masterclass. We cover everything from the newborn milk phase right through to the picky toddler years, giving you practical, science-backed answers to the feeding questions that keep parents up at night.
Is My Baby Getting Enough? The Newborn Milk Phase
In those brutal first few weeks, nearly every parent wonders whether their baby is getting enough milk. Kath shares the three objective signs to look for: weight gain, adequate wet nappies, and regular stools. She explains why a crying baby is not a reliable indicator of hunger, and sets out a clear, reassuring weighing schedule for new parents.
The Weaning Window: When Is the Right Time?
The question of when to start solids is one of the most confusing areas of early parenting. Kath cuts through the noise with a three-part framework: the science (look for supported sitting and neck control, and wait past 17 weeks), your cultural context, and your own gut instinct. She is clear that solids are for teaching and joy, not for fixing sleep, reflux, or poor growth.
Gagging vs Choking: What Every Parent Must Know
Gagging is loud, active, and protective. Choking is silent, limp, and rare. Kath explains the crucial difference so clearly that parents will never react the same way again. She offers practical guidance for anxious parents and explains why an engaged, calm parent is the single best protection against choking at mealtimes.
The Picky Toddler: What Is Normal and What To Do
Toddler fussiness is developmentally normal. Kath explains why toddlers resist variety, the role of routine and timing in appetite, and why filling gaps with non-nutritious foods can backfire. She also clarifies the milk-to-food balance for toddlers, recommending that milk account for no more than 25% of their total daily nutrition.
Myth Busting: Allergen Introduction
Kath busts one of the most persistent myths in baby feeding: the three-day wait rule between new foods. Current evidence supports introducing allergen foods as quickly as every 24 to 48 hours. She explains exactly what an IgE reaction looks like and what parents should watch for in the first two hours after introduction.
About Our Guest
Kath Megaw is a Clinical Paediatric Dietitian with over 25 years of experience and the founder of Nutripaeds. She is a consultant to the Parent Sense App and has co-authored six bestselling books including Feeding Sense, Weaning Sense, Allergy Sense, and her most recent release Mindful Meals (2025). She sits on international working groups for neonatal nutrition and the ketogenic diet.
Find Kath at nutripaeds.co.za | Instagram: @kath_megaw_paed_dietitian
Episode References and Links
📱 Parent Sense App — Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it at parentsense.app and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
Connect with Meg Faure
Web: megfaure.com
Instagram: @megfaure.sense
You're Not Failing: The Truth About Parenting Mistakes and Resilience S8 | E213
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we explore one of the most liberating truths in parenting science: rupture and repair. Meg is joined by guest co-host and Parent Sense COO Tove de Chazal Gant to …
Notas do episódio
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we explore one of the most liberating truths in parenting science: rupture and repair. Meg is joined by guest co-host and Parent Sense COO Tove de Chazal Gant to unpack why getting it wrong is not the problem. What matters most is what happens next.
The Myth of the Perfect Parent
The pressure to stay calm and parent perfectly is built on a false foundation. Social media shows curated highlights, not real life. Misinformation from unqualified voices sets impossible standards. Meg is clear: no human parent consistently hits the gold standard, and that is not just okay. It is actually by design.
What Rupture Really Means
A rupture is simply a break in connection. It happens when you snap, when you cannot respond quickly enough, or when your attention is pulled elsewhere. Using Ed Tronick's Still Face Experiment, Meg explains what happens in a baby's nervous system in these moments and points out that understanding this is not meant to create guilt. It is meant to show why what comes next matters so much.
The Science of Repair
This is where the episode becomes truly transformative. Rupture and repair, experienced repeatedly, writes a neurological story for the child: relationships are safe, disconnection is temporary, and the person who loves me will always come back. This is actively building resilience, emotional intelligence, and the capacity for real relationships in adulthood.
The Four Steps of Effective Repair
Meg outlines a practical four-step process. First, come back: return your full presence through eye contact and touch. Second, name it: say sorry and give context. This models accountability and teaches children that ruptures can be repaired. Third, reconnect: reading a book or sitting together is enough. Fourth, do not over-apologise or over-explain. One sincere apology and a moment of warmth is all that is needed.
Why Perfect Parenting Harms Children
Children raised without rupture are underprepared for the real world. They struggle with peer conflict, frustration, and imperfect relationships. Donald Winnicott's "good enough parent" theory underpins this: getting it right 30% of the time and repairing the rest is genuinely sufficient for secure attachment and healthy development.
On Guilt
Guilt does not change behaviour. It simply causes suffering. Remorse that drives repair is healthy. Carrying guilt for years over moments long since healed is not. Feel it, repair it, and release it.
About Today's Guest Co-Host
Tove de Chazal Gant is an entrepreneur, COO of Parent Sense, and mother of three. Having navigated the NICU and raising a child with a rare genetic condition, she brings deep personal insight alongside business-scaling expertise. She also chairs Happy Heroes, a charity for children with additional needs. Connect with Tove: linkedin.com/in/tove-de-chazal-gant
Episode References and Links
📱 Parent Sense App — routines, nutrition, and expert advice from pregnancy onwards. Use code SENSE50 for 50% off: https://parentsense.app/
Connect with Meg Faure Web: megfaure.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/
Why Less is More: Advice for New Mums with guest Tove de Chazal Gant
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we explore the fourth trimester with honesty, warmth, and practical wisdom. This conversation is proof that less is more, and your baby will thrive when parents feel …
Notas do episódio
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we explore the fourth trimester with honesty, warmth, and practical wisdom. This conversation is proof that less is more, and your baby will thrive when parents feel genuinely supported. Meg Faure is joined by Tove de Chazal Gant, COO of Parent Sense and seasoned mum of three, who takes the hosting seat and asks the questions every new parent is actually thinking.
The First Six Weeks: You Are Not Failing
The first six weeks are brutal. Meg says it plainly. Feeding cycles feel relentless, sleep is fractured, and the baby seems to do very little and yet everything at once. Just keeping your baby alive is ticking every single box. Nothing more is required.
Milestones: Windows, Not Deadlines
Milestones happen across wide ranges of normal. One late milestone is not a red flag. What matters is the sequence and trajectory. Consistent delay across a developmental bucket, or a gut feeling that something is off, is when parents should seek support. The Parent Sense app lists milestones with ranges in the play section.
Sensory Overload: The Times Square Effect
A newborn goes from the perfectly regulated womb directly into overwhelming sensory input. Meg compares it to landing on Times Square after living on a quiet savannah. Signs of overload include looking away, falling asleep, grimacing, and inconsolable crying. Tove shares her daughter Nova's story: born six weeks premature, Nova's development stalled not from inability but from a noisy home environment. Turning off background noise made all the difference.
Less Is More, and Your Baby Will Thrive
The heart of this episode. Less social pressure, less stimulation, less obligation. The only stimulation that genuinely matters is quiet eye contact, serve and return connection, and touch through massage, swaddling, and carrying. Your baby has 45 minutes of awake time between sleeps. Being alive in the world is enough.
Regulating Yourself to Regulate Your Baby
Babies cannot self-regulate. Parents must co-regulate. Meg offers two practical tools: square breathing (six seconds in, hold, out, hold, repeated three times) and using feeding as a mindfulness moment. Even five seconds of intentional presence at the start of a feed can shift your physiological state.
Listen Now
This episode is essential for every parent in the fourth trimester. Meg Faure reminds us that less is more, and your baby will thrive in an environment of calm, connection, and realistic expectation. Download the Parent Sense app for daily guidance through every stage of your parenting journey.
About Tove de Chazal Gant
Tove de Chazal Gant is an entrepreneur, the COO of Parent Sense, and a mother of three. Having navigated the NICU and raising a child with a rare genetic condition, she brings profound personal insight and business-scaling expertise to her role. She also chairs Happy Heroes, a charity for children with additional needs. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tove-de-chazal-gant
Connect with Meg Faure Web: megfaure.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/megfaure Parent Sense App: parentsense.app
Baby Kicks, Alcohol Myths, and the Vaccines That Protect Your Baby Before Birth S8 | E211
The Second Trimester, Real and Unfiltered with Dr. Nellie BalfourOn this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we sit down with Dr. Nellie Balfour for a conversation that is second trimester, real and …
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The Second Trimester, Real and Unfiltered with Dr. Nellie Balfour
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we sit down with Dr. Nellie Balfour for a conversation that is second trimester, real and unfiltered. Dr. Balfour is a paediatrician navigating her own second pregnancy in real time. She brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to every topic covered. This is the second episode in an ongoing real-time pregnancy series. It is honest, practical, and deeply reassuring for any expectant parent.
The Second Trimester: A Different Pregnancy Entirely
Nellie describes the second trimester as her favourite season of pregnancy. Energy returns. Appetite is restored. The baby bump becomes visible and joyful. For Nellie, whose nausea extended to 22 weeks, the relief of the second trimester was particularly profound. Meg and Nellie discuss the hereditary nature of hyperemesis gravidarum,and address nutritional concerns for mums who lose weight in the first trimester.
Baby Kicks: What Is Normal and What to Watch For
Feeling your baby move is one of the most treasured moments of pregnancy. Nellie explains that movement is typically felt between 16 and 20 weeks. In subsequent pregnancies it often occurs earlier. Placenta position plays a significant role in how strongly kicks are felt. The general guideline is to feel around 10 kicks within an hour. If movement is reduced, eating something sweet or lying on the left side usually prompts activity.
Alcohol, Teratogens, and Foods to Avoid
Meg and Nellie are fully aligned. Alcohol is an absolute no during pregnancy. South Africa carries the highest rates of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the world. There is no proven safe amount of alcohol at any stage of pregnancy.
Tests and Scans in the Second Trimester
Nellie walks listeners through the key screenings offered in the second trimester. For mothers over 35, NIPT is often completed in the first trimester. For lower-risk pregnancies, the triple or quadruple test screens for Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions.
Vaccinations in Pregnancy: Protecting Your Baby Before Birth
South Africa is ahead of many countries in vaccinating pregnant women. Nellie outlines three vaccines now recommended during pregnancy: RSV, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. Each of these illnesses can be life-threatening for newborns. This conversation is second trimester, real and unfiltered, and it may genuinely save lives.
Illness, Toddlers, and TORCH Infections
Respiratory viruses are generally manageable with hydration, fever control, and pregnancy-safe medications. The more serious TORCH category includes toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes, and syphilis.
About Our Guest:
Dr. Nellie Balfour is a mom and Specialist Pediatrician with a focus on neonates, newborns, and early childhood development. Dr. Nellie is passionate about empowering parents with credible, evidence-based information so they can make the best decisions for their children. You can find her and her popular Q&A sessions on Instagram at @drnelliepaeds
Episode References and Links:
📱 Parent Sense App — Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE
Web: megfaure.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/
The CALM Method: From Mom Guilt to Real Boundaries with Angie Weber S2 | E210
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure, we sit down with Angie Weber, host of Mom Essentials, owner of The Parent Toolbox, and founder of the Divorce Support Collective, to talk about parenting with …
Notas do episódio
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure, we sit down with Angie Weber, host of Mom Essentials, owner of The Parent Toolbox, and founder of the Divorce Support Collective, to talk about parenting with intention and what it really takes to break the cycle of yelling, guilt, and shame.
Angie built her CALM framework not from a textbook but from her own lived healing journey through anxiety, depression, and PTSD. What came out of that journey is a practical, compassionate approach that is already changing families across the world.
What is the CALM Approach?
CALM is an acronym. Each letter is a foundational pillar of Angie's parenting framework:
- C - Compassionate Communication: How we speak to our children, how we truly listen, and how we build connection in a world dominated by screens.
- A - Awareness and Accountability: Becoming curious about behaviour rather than reactive to it. Understanding what children are communicating through their actions, and holding ourselves and our children accountable through meaningful consequences.
- L - Learning Emotional Regulation: Recognising emotions as they rise, and learning to process and express them in healthy ways - for parents first, and then for children.
- M - Mindful Modelling: Our children are watching us all the time. The goal is to shift from "do as I say, not as I do" to "do as I do."
The Red Brain vs. The Green Brain
One of the most practical sections of this conversation covers what to do when you are already dysregulated. Angie shares her five-point body check-in: a tool that helps parents catch themselves before they react in ways they later regret.
The five points to check are:
- Body sensations
- Body movements
- Thoughts
- Emotions
- The five senses
Practiced consistently, this check-in becomes second nature.
Gentle Parenting vs. Permissive Parenting
Angie and Meg unpack one of the most misunderstood distinctions in modern parenting.
- Gentle parenting, at its core, includes boundaries and consequences.
- Permissive parenting does not.
Trying to remove every obstacle and keep children happy one hundred percent of the time does them a far greater disservice than we realise.
Tune In: This episode is about parenting with intention - if you are a parent who has ever gone from zero to sixty and spent the next hour drowning in guilt, this conversation is for you.
Guest References: Angie Weber
- Website: theparenttoolbox.info
- Facebook: The Parent Toolbox
- Instagram: The Parent Toolbox
- YouTube: The Parent Toolbox
- Podcast: Mom Essentials
- Resource: The Calm Family Planner — 52 weeks of guided family meetings
Nothing Could Have Prepared Me for My Own Pregnancy: A Paediatrician Gets Real S8 | E209
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we sit down with Dr. Nellie Balfour, a specialist paediatrician who has spent years working in neonatal ICUs, as she navigates her own second pregnancy in real time …
Notas do episódio
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we sit down with Dr. Nellie Balfour, a specialist paediatrician who has spent years working in neonatal ICUs, as she navigates her own second pregnancy in real time. This is the first episode in a brand new series on Sense by Meg Faure, following Nellie's pregnancy journey trimester by trimester. It is raw, honest, deeply personal and utterly reassuring.
What We Cover:
Prenatal Depression: The conversation we are not having.
Dr. Nellie opens up about experiencing prenatal depression during her first trimester — losing six kilograms, sleeping constantly, feeling hopeless, and ultimately needing medication. She explains why second-time mums are actually more vulnerable to prenatal depression than postpartum depression, why the symptoms are so often missed or dismissed, and why the stigma makes everything worse. Her advice is simple and direct: any feeling of hopelessness during pregnancy is a red flag. Talk to someone. Tell your gynaecologist. Do not wait.
Medical Knowledge and Pregnancy Anxiety:
Many people assume that a paediatrician would sail through pregnancy with confidence. Dr. Nellie challenges that completely. When you know every possible risk, your mind finds more to worry about — not less. Meg Faure shares her own experience of this, reminding us that motherhood is the great leveller. It does not matter whether you are a plumber or a paediatrician. The emotional journey of becoming a mother humbles everyone equally.
Medication Safety in Pregnancy:
Social media is full of dangerous misinformation about medication in pregnancy. Meg and Nellie set the record straight.
Breech Babies and Motor Development:
Dr. Nellie asks Meg a fascinating clinical question: what are the developmental implications of a breech birth? Meg explains the role of the vestibular system in orienting a baby head-down in the womb, and how a consistently breech position may affect muscle tone, balance, coordination and bilateral integration later in life. It is not a linear outcome — but it is one reason why movement in pregnancy matters, and why sensory integration therapy can make such a difference for children with vestibular challenges.
Rupture and Repair:
The episode closes with a concept that will stay with every parent who hears it. There is no such thing as a perfect pregnancy or a perfect mother. .
About Our Guest:
Dr. Nellie Balfour is a mom and Specialist Pediatrician with a focus on neonates, newborns, and early childhood development. Dr. Nellie is passionate about empowering parents with credible, evidence-based information so they can make the best decisions for their children. You can find her and her popular Q&A sessions on Instagram at @drnelliepaeds
Episode References and Links:
📱 Parent Sense App — Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE
Web: megfaure.com
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/MegFaure.Sense
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/
The Golden Window: When and How to Potty Train Without the Drama S8 | E208
IntroductionOn this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we are talking about one of the most searched, most stressed-about, and most misunderstood milestones in the toddler years: potty training. Meg Faure …
Notas do episódio
Introduction
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we are talking about one of the most searched, most stressed-about, and most misunderstood milestones in the toddler years: potty training. Meg Faure takes you through the science, the sensory personalities, and a practical day-by-day plan that gets most little ones out of nappies within ten days. No punishment, no pressure, no drama.
Why Sensory Personality Changes Everything
Not all children potty train the same way, and getting this wrong is one of the main reasons parents feel like they are failing. Meg explains the four sensory personalities and what each one means for potty training. High-filter babies, your social butterflies and settled little ones, are prone to accidents because they simply do not notice the signals. They need a scheduled approach, active play to increase body awareness, and language cues to bridge the gap. Sensitive and slow-to-warm-up babies feel everything intensely, may have anxiety around the process, and need calm, unhurried, comfortable conditions to feel safe enough to go.
The Golden Window and Readiness Cues
Meg introduces the four age categories for potty training and makes a clear case for why 18 to 30 months is the golden window. She walks through the physical, cognitive, and sensory readiness cues to look for, from dry nappies after naps and pulling the nappy off, to pointing, communicating, and pausing in play to register the signal. She also explains why waiting until after 30 months tends to make the process significantly harder.
The One Thing Parents Set Up Wrong
Before potty training even begins, you need to set up the right space. Meg covers exactly what this looks like: a calm, dedicated spot with books nearby, a stable and well-fitted potty or seat reducer, a reward jar, and, critically, a footrest. Feet flat on the floor is non-negotiable. Children cannot push out a poo and manage a swinging-legs balancing act at the same time.
The 10-Day Plan: Prep Week and Potty Week
Prep week is about nappy-off time, language, and dolly play. Potty week is about repetition, timing, fluids, and reward. Meg gives you a clear sequence: lots to drink, a timer set for every 45 minutes, training pants on, signals watched for, and every success met with genuine reward. She also covers troubleshooting: going out, the difference between wees and poos, children who need a nappy for poos, and how to approach night-time training when the time comes.
About Our Host:
Meg Faure is an occupational therapist, author of the 'Sense' series of parenting books (including Baby Sense), and the founder of the Parent Sense app. With decades of experience working with parents and babies, her mission is to bring calm, clarity, and confidence to the parenting journey.
Episode References and Links:
📱 Parent Sense App – Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off: https://parentsense.app/
CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE
Web: megfaure.com
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/MegFaure.Sense
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/
Potty Training Course: https://parentse.onelink.me/TCyx/coursesToddler
Not Broken. Differently Wired. Raising the Neurodivergent Child with Dr Itzikowitz S8 | E207
IntroductionThis week we have one of the most honest and tender conversations this podcast has ever held. Meg sits down with Dr Raphaela Itzikowitz Geva, specialist paediatrician, neurodevelopment expert, and …
Notas do episódio
Introduction
This week we have one of the most honest and tender conversations this podcast has ever held. Meg sits down with Dr Raphaela Itzikowitz Geva, specialist paediatrician, neurodevelopment expert, and founder of The Full Spectrum app. Together they explore what it truly means to raise a child whose brain works differently. Whether you are a parent who has just started to notice something, a family in the middle of a long diagnostic journey, or someone who received a label years ago and is still finding their footing, this episode is for you.
What Neurodivergence Actually Means
Raphaela unpacks the difference between neurodiversity and neurodivergence with clarity and compassion. Neurodiversity is simply the reality that all human brains are different. Neurodivergence is where those differences create specific challenges in navigating a demanding world. Crucially, she reframes the entire conversation: this is not about fixing an incorrect child. It is about understanding how a child processes their world so that we can support them to thrive within it.
Guilt vs. Grief: Two Very Different Things
One of the most powerful moments in this episode is Raphaela's distinction between guilt and grief. Guilt asks: did I cause this? Grief says: this is not what I expected, and it is hard. Raphaela explains why neurodivergence is almost never anybody's fault, and why untangling these two emotions is one of the most liberating things a parent can do. She also addresses the moment of diagnosis itself, which for many parents holds both shock and, unexpectedly, relief.
Neuroplasticity and the Early Window
The early brain is wiring itself in real time, and what happens in those first years matters enormously. Raphaela explains neuroplasticity in plain language and makes a compelling case for early intervention. Not because we are changing the child to fit the world, but because we are shaping the experience of the child so they can explore their world with confidence. The window is open right now, and this conversation tells you exactly how to use it.
The Space Between the Notes
Raphaela introduces one of the most memorable ideas in this episode: the space between the notes. The notes are the therapy sessions and clinical appointments. The space is everything that happens at home, every day, in the ordinary moments of connection and repetition. She explains the three documents every parent receives when leaving her practice: a neurodevelopmental report, an Understanding Your Child document that decodes behaviour, and a Rationalised Action Map that gives families a clear, prioritised place to start.
Why You Must Listen
This episode is not about adding more to your plate. It is about understanding. And understanding, as Raphaela says, is the key that unlocks a great deal of frustration. Her closing words are a gift to every parent on this journey: the journey is different. It is not less. Listen today, and share it with every parent who needs to hear it.
I. EPISODE REFERENCES AND SHOW NOTES LINKS
Guest: Dr Raphaela Itzikowitz Geva
Specialist Paediatrician and Neurodevelopment Expert
Website: docraphaela.com
Instagram: @dr.raphaelaitzikowitz
App: The Full Spectrum
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