In this week's episode of First Time Mum's Chat I'm talking about the importance of sleep to you as a parent. Yes, I'm focusing on you instead of your little one because you won't be at your best and able to be there 100% for your child if you are sleep deprived.

Don't underestimate the importance of sleep because it refreshes your mind and repairs your body. During this episode I'll be sharing tips and ideas to support yourself to ensure you do not succumb to sleep exhaustion and/or sleep deprivation.

If you're fighting feelings of misery, hopelessness and despair and your little one is difficult to get to sleep, awake for hours at night, waking frequently or fighting sleep then this episode of First Time Mum's Chat is just for you!

I'm chatting with sleep coach, mom-mentor, podcast host and mother of 5, Meredith Brough who shares her expertise on holistic sleep methods. Meredith has taken the best things out of the sleep training world and then totally meshed them in with the holistic world and has been referred to by her clients as the "Baby Sleep Whisperer".

You'll hear Meredith share:-

• How she specialises in helping high needs, very challenging babies sleep well using a very peaceful loving approach, utilising tear free methods.
• What to look out for in your child that could indicate signs of a sleep disorder.
• Tips and advice for a parent who is transitioning their child into their own room.
• Tips on how to build sleep pressure for kids with conditions such as autism who often don't like to be touched or cuddled.

And much, much more...

Your journey as a mum is often a stressful one, right! Well imagine to add to the stress and overwhelm of your new parenting journey, discovering that one of your children has Celiac disease! This is what mum of 2, registered nurse and natural health professional, Laura Tate faced in her parenting journey and she quickly needed to find ways to structure a life that met her family's health needs.

During our chat, you'll hear Laura talk about her journey and the challenges she and her family faced, very much from the coal face and how she structured a life to accommodate them all including:-

• Tips and symptoms to look out for to help identify whether your little one has G.I. (gastrointestinal tract) issues.
• Suggestions on a range of celiac friendly flours and ingredients that are must haves for your larder for their diet.
• The massive adjustment that you need to make in your home environment to ensure that they cannot ingest gluten.

And much more...

When it comes to building a bond with your little one, then a great way for you to do this is by introducing them to the water early on. In this week's episode I'm chatting with Jo Wilson. Jo is the founder of the child-development program in water; Aqua Sensory, and is a Developmental Play Practitioner, Aquatic Tutor and author.

Jo is passionate about what she does and during our chat, you'll hear her share some great tips and insights including:-

• Why you need to ensure that 100% of your attention is on your little one whilst they are in the water and why multitasking mustn't occur.
• Tips on how to tell when your baby is ready to explore the water further.
• Why it's extremely important to understand your baby's cues and behaviors so you can pick up on their subtle cues.

And much more...

A lot of the parents that I talk to via my baby massage classes, ask me whether everything is going as it should with their little one's development. I've been on the lookout for an expert to talk to who knows their stuff when it comes to baby development and in this week's episode of First Time Mum's Chat, I'm chatting with Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Munira Adenwalla.

Munira talks about how she helps babies to be able to get in and out of positions so they are comfortable with their bodies and explains how she contributes to their development by helping with all the little movements required to get up to sitting, standing and eventually crawling and walking.

During our chat you'll hear us talk about:-

• Why it's so important not to rush your baby to be doing their developmental milestones and let them take their own time.
• How a pediatric occupational therapist can help when babies are not meeting their developmental milestones or when your gut feeling is telling you that something isn't right.
• How a pediatric occupational therapist helps babies that are struggling with coming into sitting and crawling positions and to be more comfortable, relieving tension in their bodies.

And so much more....

This week on First Time Mum's Chat I'm talking about comfort and pain relief in birth with birth and postpartum doula, Janet Purcell.

Janet shares some excellent tips from her wealth of experience and if you are pregnant or in the family planning stages, then I highly recommend listening. You'll hear her share:-

• How devices such as TENS machines, birthing combs and acupressure balls help trigger non-painful stimuli to help distract your brain away from focusing on your uterus.
• How to use the force of gravity to make the whole birthing process easier and more comfortable.
• Suggestions on what your birth environment should look like and why it's so crucial to get this right.
• The importance of choosing the right birth partner to ensure you get that all important 100% unconditional support when you're giving birth.

And so much more...

In this week's episode, I'll be focusing on the topics of healthy eating and raising your children in a healthy nurturing environment.

You'll hear me talk about:-

• The dangers of feeding your family processed food and caffeinated drinks.
• Ways to encourage more family time and to avoid screen time during meal times.
• Why role playing is so vital when it comes to setting your children on the road to a lifetime of healthy eating.
• How you can avoid and reduce the risk of overeating and obesity by encouraging healthy eating habits.

And so, so much more...

Potty training doesn’t fail because the method is wrong — it fails because most parents aren’t shown how to use it properly.

In this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, I’m joined by certified potty training consultant Kaley Medina to unpack why the popular 3-day potty training method often breaks down for parents — and what actually makes it work.

If you’re feeling unsure about when to start, worried about getting it wrong, or overwhelmed by conflicting advice, this conversation will give you clarity and confidence before you begin.

In this episode, we cover:

• The two main potty training approaches — and which one works faster
• The most common mistake parents make during the first 3 days
• The best age range to start potty training
• Why rewards and sticker charts can backfire
• How to reduce stress and set your child up for long-term success

🎧 Listen now and learn how to approach potty training with less pressure and more confidence. Check out the show notes at https://www.mybabymassage.net/podcast/136.

Matrescence which is the process of becoming a mother, is a difficult time for many women and occurs each and every time we have a child! For many of the mums I speak with, it often leads to feelings including disconnect, grief and self-doubt.

For many this is a highly challenging time as bodies, hormones and brains change.This week's guest, Kirryn Lee, is a Matrescence Mentor, Energy Coach, mother of two and host of the Matrescence Awakening podcast.

During our chat you'll hear Kirryn talk about:-

• The importance of putting yourself first as well as looking after you, so you can be fully there for your family.
• How she helps moms connect again to who they are in this new season of their life.
• The importance of releasing friendships that no longer serve you so you are ready to welcome in new friendships and connections.

And much more...

I've spoken with a number of wonderful women on First Time Mum's Chat who help women during their fourth trimester including lactation consultants and doulas and this week's guest, Dr. Cindy Rubin is a general pediatrician, international board certified lactation consultant and breastfeeding medicine specialist.

Dr. Cindy has taken the step to operate her practice outside the US insurance system so that she can provide quality care without the clock constantly ticking!

During our chat you'll hear Dr. Cindy talk about:-

• The many benefits of having a pediatrician who visits your home during the 4th trimester which for many moms is a particularly challenging time.
• An explanation on the causes of biting during breastfeeding and ways to help ease this.
• What she offers parents in the Chicagoland area during the first 6 weeks after your little one is born.

And much more...