Family Health by Mini First Aid

Birth plans: what really matters and what happens if things don't go to plan?

For many expectant parents, writing a birth plan can feel like one of the most important parts of preparing for labour. But what exactly should you include? How detailed does it need to be? And what happens if your labour takes an unexpected turn?

In this episode of Family Health by Mini First Aid, Kate is joined by experienced midwife Lesley Bland from My Expert Midwife to explore how birth plans can help parents feel informed, confident and prepared, while understanding that birth can sometimes be unpredictable.

Lesley explains why she prefers to think of a birth plan as a set of birth preferences, helping parents communicate what matters most while allowing flexibility if circumstances change. Together, Kate and Lesley discuss the role of the midwife, how decisions are made during labour, and why clear communication is one of the most powerful tools in creating a positive birth experience.

Whether you're expecting your first baby or preparing to welcome another child, this episode offers practical advice to help you approach birth with confidence and realistic expectations.

In this episode we discuss:

• What a birth plan is and why it is better thought of as birth preferences
• What to include in your birth plan
• Creating the birth environment that feels right for you
• Pain relief options and how decisions may change during labour
• The important role of your birth partner
• Why flexibility is just as important as planning
• How midwives support parents emotionally as well as medically
• What happens if your labour doesn't go according to plan
• Why communication and informed consent are central to maternity care

To find your nearest Mini First Aid class or browse our range of trusted first aid products, visit www.minifirstaid.co.uk. 

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email [email protected]

My Expert Midwife combines the knowledge and experience of registered midwives with practical advice, antenatal education and award-winning products developed to support parents through every stage. If you are looking for trusted support through pregnancy, birth and those early weeks with your baby, discover more at My Expert Midwife.

This podcast is brought to you by Mini First Aid, the UK's leading family first aid provider. Whether you're preparing for a new baby, stocking up at home or equipping a workplace, you'll find trusted first aid kits, defibrillators, burns care, eyewash and everyday essentials at https://minifirstaidshop.co.uk/

Family Health Podcast listeners can also get 10% off Mini First Aid own-brand products online with code PODCAST10 until the end of October 2026.

Febrile seizures can be one of the most frightening things a parent witnesses, yet they’re surprisingly common, affecting 1 in 20 children.

In this episode, Kate is joined by NHS paediatrician Dr Lillie Parker to explain what febrile seizures are, why they happen, and how to respond calmly and confidently if your child has one.

Reassuring, informative, and essential listening for parents, grandparents and anyone who looks after young children.

Dr. Lillie Parker is an NHS paediatrician with almost a decade of experience caring for children and young people, from preterm babies to young adults up to18 years old. A graduate of Southampton University (BMBS BMedSci) and a certified member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, she is dedicated to providing expert, compassionate care. Her Instagram page offers parents and carers a reliable source of health advice amidst the overwhelming noise of unregulated information online. Her mission is to create a supportive community and empower parents to confidently manage their children’s health using trusted, evidence-based advice and information.

Connect with Dr Lillie Parker on Instagram

NHS Guidance for Febrile Seizures

Teddy Cold Gel Pack

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email [email protected]

Series 5 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children. 

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals.

If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected. If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

If you’ve ever found yourself pacing the floor at 3am, rocking a baby who refuses to sleep or sharing your bed with a wriggly five-year-old, you are not alone!

In this episode of Family Health by Mini First Aid, Kate chats to Jenna Wilson, co-founder of Little Dreams Consulting and expert in baby and child sleep. Jenna shares practical, no-nonsense advice on everything from newborn sleep patterns to dealing with toddlers who won’t stay in bed, and even what to do if your 10-year-old still creeps into your room every night.

Whether you're preparing for a new arrival or desperate for a decent night’s sleep, this episode is full of calm, supportive guidance to help you make small changes that can have a big impact.

We cover:

• What’s normal for newborn sleep
• How to manage the four-month sleep regression
• When children might realistically “sleep through”
• Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
• Tips for moving to a big bed
• Sleep challenges in older children
• How to protect everyone’s sleep when a new baby arrives

It’s never too late to make sleep better for your whole family - listen now!

Connect with Jenna Wilson

Find out more about Little Dreams Consulting

Read the blog about bedtime and the October clock change

Follow Little Dreams Consulting on Instagram and Facebook

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email [email protected]

Series 4 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children. 

 The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected. 

 If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

In this episode, Kate chats to fitness expert and winner of The Apprentice 2024, Rachel Woolford. Together they unpack the do’s and don’ts of exercising during pregnancy and after giving birth.

Whether you're newly pregnant, navigating postpartum recovery, or supporting someone who is, this episode is filled with down-to-earth advice and reassurance. 

From finding the right kind of movement, to managing mental health, and even what to do with the baby while you work out.

A must-listen for mums, mums-to-be, and anyone who wants to move their body in a way that feels good.

Listen now for:

• Realistic pre & postnatal fitness tips
• Mental health support through movement
• Advice for C-section recovery
• Finding confidence in your changing body
• How to make exercise part of your life – even with a baby in tow

Connect with Rachel on Instagram

Find out more about Rachel’s fitness studio North Studio

Watch Rachel win The Apprentice

Read the NHS guide to your post-pregnancy body

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email [email protected]

Series 5 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children. 

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected. 

If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

In this episode of Family Health by Mini First Aid, we’re joined by Adelle Fishlock, Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon at Leeds Children’s Hospital and familiar face from the BBC series Saving Lives in Leeds.

Adelle gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens when a child is brought into hospital with a suspected broken bone. From playground falls to complex surgery, she explains how her team works to assess, treat, and support young patients and their families.

Adelle also opens up about her own emotional experience when her young son needed surgery, a powerful moment that reshaped how she supports the families in her care.

We also talk about:

• How to spot the signs of a broken bone
• What to do before you reach medical help
• Where to go: 999, A&E or minor injuries?
• Why vitamin D and warm-ups matter more than you think

Whether you're a parent, carer or health-conscious listener, this is an episode not to miss.

Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe for more expert-led family health advice.

NHS guide to broken arms or wrists

NHS guide to a broken leg

Find out more about the BBC Series featuring Adelle Fishlock: Saving Lives in Leeds

Watch all episodes Saving Lives in Leeds

Find your nearest A&E department

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email [email protected] 

Series 5 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children. 

 The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected. If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

Many parents don't realise children's eye tests aren't routinely included in standard development checks. It's a postcode lottery and the onus often falls on parents to make sure their children's eye health isn't overlooked.

In this, we speak to Senior Optometrist Dr Nigel Best from Specsavers, who shares expert insights on children's vision, including:

✔️ When to book your child's first eye test
✔️ Why waiting for problems to appear might be too late
✔️ The surprising link between outdoor time and short-sightedness

If you're a parent, carer, or work with children, this is a vital listen. Early eye care can make a world of difference.

Doctor Nigel Best joined Specsavers as a resident optometrist in 1993 after graduating from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. 

Nigel has worked closely with editorial teams across the optical industry. He was formerly a member of the ‘Optometry in Practice’ editorial board and has published a number of papers in peer-reviewed journals. 

In recognition of his work in the industry, Nigel was awarded a Fellowship of the British Contact Lens Association in 2009, followed in 2010 with a Fellowship of the American Academy of Optometry. 

Alongside his Professional Services role Nigel works as an expert witness for in clinical negligence cases.

Visit Specsavers website

Find out more about Specsavers Children’s Eye Tests

NHS guidance on Children’s Eye Tests

All about Astigmatism

All about Myopia (short-sightedness)

All about long-sightedness

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email [email protected]

Series 5 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children. 

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected. 

If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

How do you raise an adventurous eater and stay sane doing it?

In this episode, we’re joined by nutritional consultant Melanie Hadida to talk all things family food. From baby-led weaning to batch cooking and supermarket meltdowns, Melanie shares her personal journey, including feeding newborn twins during lockdown, and her top tips for creating positive food experiences at home.

We cover:

• Practical ways to introduce flavourful, nutritious foods from the start
• Tackling fussy eating without turning mealtimes into a battleground
• Easy, budget-friendly meals the whole family will enjoy
• How getting kids involved in the kitchen can transform their eating habits

If you’re feeling stuck in a food rut or just need a little reassurance, this episode is packed with relatable stories and expert advice to help you feed your family with confidence.

Melanie is a nutritional consultant and twin mum. She is the founder and owner of Spice & Green, a small specialty food business creating unique products with herbs and spices. She offers one-on-one nutritional consulting services and cooking workshops focusing on hormonal health, pregnancy and postpartum nutrition and cooking with young families.

Connect with Melanie on Instagram

Visit Melanie’s website Melanie Hadida Nutrition

Boob to Table - fun nutritious meal & snack ideas for babies and the family

Find the Chef Knife Set for Kids

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email [email protected]

Series 5 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children. 

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected. 

If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

Bumps, knocks and tumbles are all part of childhood. But head injuries can feel scary, especially if you’re not sure what to look out for. 

In this episode, Kate is joined by Dr Lillie Parker to chat all things head bumps – how to spot a serious injury, what to do in those first few minutes, and how to keep kids safe as they explore the world around them.

Dr. Lillie Parker is an NHS paediatrician with almost a decade of experience caring for children and young people, from preterm babies to young adults up to18 years old. A graduate of Southampton University (BMBS BMedSci) and a certified member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, she is dedicated to providing expert, compassionate care. Her Instagram page offers parents and carers a reliable source of health advice amidst the overwhelming noise of unregulated information online. Her mission is to create a supportive community and empower parents to confidently manage their children’s health using trusted, evidence-based advice and information.

Connect with Dr Lillie Parker on Instagram

See the NHS guidance on Head Injuries & Concussion

Child Brain Injury Trust - After Concussion Return to Normality (ACoRN) leaflet

NHS Healthier Together - Head Injury Advice

Read the Mini First Aid blog on Head Bumps 

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email [email protected]

Series 5 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children. 

 The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected. 

 If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

Food allergies in children have doubled in the last 10 years.

In our latest episode, Kate is joined by Dr Helen Evans-Howells, GP and allergy specialist, to tackle the myths and fears around allergies and anaphylaxis. 

From weaning worries to understanding when to use an auto-injector, Helen shares her expert advice and her personal experience as a parent navigating allergies. 

A must-listen for any parent, carer, or teacher wanting to feel more confident about allergy safety.

Dr Helen Evans-Howells qualified with honours from Southampton University in 2005 and then trained as a GP. Helen became interested in allergy due to her own experiences of managing a child with milk and nut allergies. She undertook the Masters in Allergy at Southampton University and qualified with distinction in 2018.

After working with the allergy team in Southampton Hospital for 4.5years, Helen now runs a private allergy clinic for children and adults (www.drhelenallergy.co.uk) which provides virtual and face to face allergy consultations.

Helen was the previous chair for the primary care group of British Society of Allergy and is now a trustee for the Anaphylaxis UK Charity and Chair of their Clinical and Scientific panel.

Visit Dr Helen Allergy website

Connect with Dr Helen Evand-Howell on Instagram

Find out more about the work of Allergy UK

Find out more about the work of Anaphylaxis UK 

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email [email protected]

Series 5 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children. 

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected. 

If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

When Anna’s little girl, Cleo, developed a high temperature, she did what so many of us would do - Calpol, cuddles, and wait and see. But what unfolded was every parent’s worst nightmare. Cleo had sepsis.

In this episode of the Family Health podcast, Anna bravely shares their story of missed signs, gut instinct, and the terrifying rollercoaster that followed. 

She opens up about how she and her husband had to fight to be heard, how Cleo’s life was saved, and why Anna is now on a mission to raise awareness as an ambassador for the Sepsis Trust.

This is an episode every parent, grandparent, and carer needs to hear. Knowing the signs of sepsis could save a life.

Connect with Anna here on LinkedIn

Find out more about the work of The UK Sepsis Trust and check out their support resources.

Learn the signs and symptoms of sepsis in adults and children

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email [email protected]

Series 5 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children. 

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected. 

If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.