NestPod: Simplifying weaning & allergies for parents

Your baby was just diagnosed with peanut allergy. You’re terrified. Then someone mentions “oral immunotherapy” and suddenly you have hope.

But before you get too excited, I need to be really clear about what OIT is and what it isn’t.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the truth about oral immunotherapy - the medical treatment that’s giving families hope, but also creating a lot of confusion and unrealistic expectations.

We’re covering:

• What OIT actually IS versus what people think it is

• How the ADAPT program works for babies under 12 months with peanut allergy

• The real commitment required (daily dosing, hospital visits, years of treatment)

• Why “safer” doesn’t mean “cured”

• Whether OIT might be right for your family

• Questions to ask your allergist before starting

• Why early intervention shows the best outcomes

The reality: OIT isn’t a magic cure. It’s a medical treatment that gradually introduces tiny amounts of peanut protein under strict supervision to increase tolerance. The goal is moving from “a crumb could be dangerous” to “accidental exposure is less scary.”

This is a significant undertaking with real benefits AND real challenges. You need to understand both before making this decision for your family.

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT:

I’m offering 10 founding member sponsorships for The Nest Allergy Membership + exclusive early access to Raffy, a new digital tool designed to be a companion for families navigating life with severe food allergies.

Raffy provides the kind of organisation and clarity you’d get from a dedicated care coordinator, but available 24/7 at home: digitising manual tracking, eliminating paperwork, and keeping everything in one place so you always know where to find what you need, with step-by-step guidance when emergencies arise.

🎯 Who should apply: Families currently doing or planning to start regular dosing of a food allergen who want to help shape tools that support consistent, daily exposure

📅 What you get:

🪺 Full founding membership access for the first month to The Nest Allergy Membership

🪺 1 week pilot program with the Raffy team

🪺 Direct input into app development

Applications open until Tuesday 27th January 11:59pm

👉 Learn more and apply: https://raffyallergy.com/waitlist

Connect with me:

Instagram: @thenestcpr

Website: thefirstaidnest.com.au

Email: [email protected]

If this episode helped you understand OIT better, please leave a rating and review - it helps other allergy families find this information!

Food challenges can feel terrifying for allergy parents.

The idea of intentionally giving your child a food they’re allergic to, in a controlled environment or not, goes against every protective instinct you have.

But food challenges are also one of the most powerful tools in allergy management. They can open up foods your child might tolerate, end years of unnecessary avoidance, and give you definitive answers instead of living in constant uncertainty.

In this episode, I break down everything you need to know about pediatric food challenges:

• Why allergists recommend them and when they make sense

• The complete timeline of what happens during a 5-6 hour hospital food challenge

• How to emotionally prepare your child without creating anxiety

• What happens if your child has a reaction during the challenge

• How to decide if a food challenge is right for your family

Whether you’re considering a food challenge, just got scheduled for one, or want to understand what they’re all about, this episode will help you feel informed and prepared instead of anxious and overwhelmed.

FREE RESOURCE:

Download my Quick Reference Reaction Guide, your printable decision tree for knowing exactly what to do when you’re not sure if it’s a reaction or how serious it is. No more midnight googling or second-guessing yourself.

🔗 https://thenestcpr.sys...

READY FOR MORE SUPPORT?

Join The Nest Allergy Membership: a supportive community of allergy parents plus monthly expert guidance, meal planning resources, social situation scripts, and everything you need to go from overwhelmed to confident.

🔗 learn more here -https://thenestcpr.sys...

Let me know in the comments: Has your child done a food challenge? What was your biggest concern going in?

SUBSCRIBE for weekly allergy parenting tips, real talk, and practical strategies for raising kids with food allergies without losing your mind.

📧 Email: [email protected]

📱 Instagram: @thenestcpr

🌐 Website: thefirstaidnest.com.au

#foodallergies #foodchallenge

Is it a rash? A red face? Vomiting? Swelling? It’s hard to know what’s normal and what’s an allergic reaction when your baby is trying new foods.

In this bite-sized episode, I break down exactly what happens during an allergic reaction in babies, and what to do when it happens.

As a paediatric nurse and allergy specialist, I’ve supported thousands of families through this. Here’s what I’ll walk you through:

👶 What early signs to look for

🚨 What to do immediately at home

🏥 When to call for help

🧠 what happens inside the body?

This episode is all about clarity, not panic, because knowing what to expect is half the battle.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

💾 Download the Quick Reference Allergy Kit (Free)

👉 thenestcpr.systeme.io/reaction-guide

🍼 The Nest Weaning Blueprint (Free)

👉 thenestcpr.systeme.io/weaning-bundle

👩‍⚕️ The Nest Feeding & Weaning Membership

A complete, nurse-led guide to safe weaning, choking prevention, and allergy food introduction.

👉 thenestcpr.systeme.io/thenestmembership

🌰 The Nest Food Allergy Membership

Personalised support and education for parents managing diagnosed food allergies.

👉 thenestcpr.systeme.io/the-nest-allergy-membership

Starting solids can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re told you should introduce egg, peanut, wheat and other allergy foods early… but no one tells you how.

In this episode of NestPod, I walk you through exactly how to introduce common allergy foods to your baby, step by step, in a calm, realistic way that works even if you’re feeling anxious or unsure.

As a paediatric nurse with 25+ years of experience and an allergy specialist for over a decade, this is the method I teach parents every week.

🩵 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• When to start introducing allergenic foods (and when not to)

• How much to give the first time (and how to increase safely)

• How to introduce egg, nuts, wheat, and dairy without fear

This episode is for parents who don’t want guesswork, pressure, or conflicting advice, just a clear plan and reassurance.

🔗 Free resources mentioned:

Download the The Nest Weaning Blueprint (allergy tracker, top 9 allergen guide + choking first aid):

👉 thenestcpr.systeme.io/weaning-bundle

🎓 Want the full system?

Check out The NEST Feeding & Weaning Membership. My complete, nurse‑led guide to safe weaning, choking prevention, and allergy food introduction & private fb group.

👉🏼 thenestcpr.systeme.io/thenestmembership

📥 Another Free Resource

✅ Quick Reference Allergy Kit

Get instant access to:

👉🏼 Allergic reaction quick reference guide

👉🏼 How to spot allergy signs in babies and toddler (it’s different)

👉🏼 What to ask your doctor about introducing Food’s (a list of questions)

👉 thenestcpr.systeme.io/reaction-guide

🧡 Want more personalised allergy help?

🌰 The Nest Food Allergy Membership

For families managing diagnosed food allergies. Get nurse-led support, expert education, and a calm personalised support alongside your specialist that grows with your child.

👉🏼 thenestcpr.systeme.io/the-nest-allergy-membership

In this episode, Heidi Young, paediatric nurse and allergy specialist, shares a powerful observation from her recent time in the UK: food allergy awareness is built into everyday life.

Restaurants routinely ask about allergies.

Parents don’t have to explain or justify.

Children don’t feel like “the problem.”

Back in Australia, the experience is very different.

Heidi unpacks:

• Why food allergy shouldn’t be treated as “rare”

• The anxiety families carry into cafés, parties, and social events

• How small system changes can dramatically reduce stress and risk

• Why inclusion matters for children’s long-term confidence and wellbeing

This episode is for:

• Parents of children with food allergies

• Healthcare professionals

• Educators and venue owners

• Anyone wanting to understand what allergy families live with every day

🎁 Free Resource:

Download the Quick Reference Allergy Kit, a calm, nurse-led guide for recognising and responding to allergic reactions in babies and children 👉🏼 https://thenestcpr.systeme.io/reaction-guide

Party season can be tough when food allergies are part of your family’s life.

In this episode, I talk through:

• What actually helps when hosting children with food allergies

• How allergy parents can plan ahead without over-restricting

• Why communication matters more than “perfect” food

• How to stay calm in social settings where you don’t have full control

This episode is for parents who want their children included — and want to feel steadier doing it.

🔗 Free Quick-Reference Allergy Kit available now 👉🏼 https://thenestcpr.systeme.io/4wk-experience-allergy

Have you heard the advice to rub peanut butter or egg on your baby’s skin before feeding it to ‘test’ for allergies?

It’s common advice. It’s well-meaning. But it’s wrong and potentially harmful.

In this episode of NestPod, I explain why rubbing food on your baby’s skin isn’t just unhelpful, it can actually increase their risk of developing a food allergy. As a paediatric nurse and allergy specialist with 10+ years of experience, I break down:

🧴 What actually happens when food touches inflamed or broken skin

🧠 Why this method doesn’t tell you if a baby is allergic

🚫 How it can lead to sensitisation not prevention

✅ What to do instead when introducing allergy foods safely

💬 And why your baby’s immune system learns best through their tummy, not their skin

If you’re starting solids soon, or feel completely unsure about how to safely introduce peanut, egg, or other allergens this is a must-listen.

▶ Want my free Quick-Reference Allergy Kit for parents?

Comment QUICK or download it here: thenestcpr.systeme.io/reaction-guide

▶ Need ongoing support?

Join The Nest Food Allergy Membership for nurse-led guidance, community, and daily answers you can trust. Learn more here 👉🏼 thenestcpr.systeme.io/the-nest-allergy-membership

Babies can’t say “my throat feels funny” or “my tongue is tingling”…

so allergic reactions in infants often look completely different from what you see on the ASCIA Action Plan.

In this 9-minute episode, I break down the real-life, baby-specific signs and symptoms of allergic reactions, from mild to severe, so you know exactly what to look for, what’s normal, and what needs action.

As a paediatric allergy nurse of 25 years, I’ve supported thousands of families through the confusion of food allergies. And one thing I know for sure?

Most parents miss early signs… not because they’re careless, but because babies simply can’t communicate what’s happening.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

🤱🏼 How allergic reactions present differently in babies

👀 The subtle behavioural changes that often appear before visible symptoms

⚠️ What ASCIA’s “mild/moderate” vs “severe” actually look like in a young child

🫁 When to watch closely, and when to act fast

🍼 Why understanding these signs bring calm and confidence

Whether your baby has reacted before, you’re about to start allergens, or you’re simply feeling overwhelmed by the “what ifs”, this episode will give you clarity you can’t get from Google.

▶ Want my free Quick-Reference Allergy Kit for parents?

Comment QUICK or download it here: thenestcpr.systeme.io/reaction-guide

▶ Need ongoing support?

Join The Nest Food Allergy Membership for nurse-led guidance, community, and daily answers you can trust. Learn more here 👉🏼 thenestcpr.systeme.io/the-nest-allergy-membership

In this episode of the NestPod we talk about one of my most FAQ’s, Is my baby choking… or just gagging?

It’s one of the scariest questions a parent can face, especially when you’re starting solids and every sound makes your heart race. In this episode of NestPod, I break down the difference between choking and gagging in a way that actually makes sense (and helps you breathe again).

As a paediatric nurse, allergy specialist, and mum of two, I’ll walk you through what’s normal, what’s not, and what to do if the worst ever happens.

🩵 You’ll learn:

• What gagging really looks like (and why it’s protective)

• The silent signs of true choking

• who to listen to!

• One calming phrase to repeat when panic sets in

Parents shouldn’t be relying on luck. They should feel confident, calm, and equipped to handle the worst, even on three hours of sleep.

That’s why I started The Nest. It’s why I teach baby first aid. And it’s why I’m so passionate about helping you introduce allergy foods safely, without fear or guesswork.

🩵 If this story resonates with you, or if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by first aid, choking risks, allergic reactions, or just feeding your baby, you’re in the right place.

🎓 Take the $9 Essential Safety for Parents Course

Prevent choking and allergic reactions with this quick, practical, nurse-led class:

👉🏼 https://thenestcpr.systeme.io/essential-safety-parents

📘 Grab the FREE Weaning Safety Bundle

Includes our choking first aid guide, top 9 allergy foods list, and allergy tracker:

👉🏼 http://thenestcpr.systeme.io/bundle-optin

🥦 Get our FREE First Foods guide which tells you how to Prep those first 20 foods for safety & if they are higher risk allergy foods.

👉🏼 http://thenestcpr.systeme.io/firstfoods

Here is the Choking vs Gagging blog post I talked about 👉🏼 https://thefirstaidnest.com.au/2022/03/24/baby-gagging/

🎥 Want the full step-by-step system?

Check out The NEST Method — everything I wish every parent knew about safe weaning, choking, and allergy food intro:

👉🏼 https://thenestcpr.systeme.io/thenestmethod

📱 Follow along for more tips & support:

Instagram → @thenestcpr

TikTok → @thenestcpr

In this very first episode back after a long break of NestPod, I share the moment that changed everything, the day I saved a six-month-old baby who was choking in a park.

As a paediatric nurse and allergy specialist, I thought I’d seen it all. But nothing prepares you for performing choking first aid on a real baby, in front of a panicked parent, knowing every second counts. That experience, followed by a second incident with a 2.5-year-old in Chargrill Charlie’s was the moment I knew something had to change.

Parents shouldn’t be relying on luck. They should feel confident, calm, and equipped to handle the worst, even on three hours of sleep.

That’s why I started The Nest. It’s why I teach baby first aid. And it’s why I’m so passionate about helping you introduce allergy foods safely, without fear or guesswork.

🩵 If this story resonates with you, or if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by choking risks, allergic reactions, or just feeding your baby — you’re in the right place.

🎓 Take the $9 Essential Safety for Parents Course

Prevent choking and allergic reactions with this quick, practical, nurse-led class:

👉🏼 https://thenestcpr.systeme.io/essential-safety-parents

📘 Grab the FREE Weaning Safety Bundle

Includes our choking first aid guide, top 9 allergy foods list, and allergy tracker:

👉🏼 http://thenestcpr.systeme.io/bundle-optin

🎥 Want the full step-by-step system?

Check out The NEST Method — everything I wish every parent knew about safe weaning, choking, and allergy food intro:

👉🏼 https://thenestcpr.systeme.io/thenestmethod

📱 Follow along for more tips & support:

Instagram → @thenestcpr

TikTok → @thenestcpr