Not Just Theories

Not Just Theories
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Not Just Theories Parenting and therapy beyond the textbooks. Tired of parenting advice that sounds good but doesn’t work? This podcast is about real-life solutions you can actually use. I’m Brittany, a speech pathologist and parent. Here, we go beyond ideas and theories. I share honest stories, practical tips, and clear examples from my experience. Each episode breaks down parenting, therapy, and household strategies into easy, real-world steps. No jargon, no fluff - just useful advice that fits your busy life. If you want help that feels doable and honest, this podcast is for you. Let’s make parenting and supporting your family simpler and more real. Because life doesn't follow a theory- here's what I actually do.

  1. May 4

    E34 The Communication Toolkit: Real-Life Strategies That Actually Work

    When it comes to parenting and communication, it’s easy to go searching for the strategy that will fix everything. But in real life, one strategy is rarely enough. In this episode of Not Just Theories, I talk about the idea of a communication toolkit. A collection of strategies you can draw on flexibly, depending on your child, the situation, and the moment you’re in. Inspired by the book How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen, this episode explores how tools like: acknowledging feelings offering choices using playfulness setting limits with empathy and adjusting your expectations can all work together (rather than in isolation) I also share a real-life example of navigating a tricky phase with my own child, where I found myself using multiple tools across days and weeks, not because I was doing it “wrong,” but because that’s what responsive parenting actually looks like. This episode is about moving away from perfection and toward flexibility, reflection, and having more than one way to respond.

    30 min

  2. Apr 27

    E33 Infant Sleep (Part 8): Bringing It All Together

    In this final episode of the infant sleep series, we bring together the key ideas from the previous episodes. We revisit: • how circadian rhythms and sleep pressure shape sleep • why babies have different sleep needs • biological and medical barriers to sleep • allergies and gut discomfort • sensory processing differences • temperament and individual variation • strategies for protecting parent sleep The goal of this series has never been to provide a single “right” way to manage infant sleep. Instead, it’s about understanding the many factors that influence sleep, so families can make decisions that work for their child and their lives.

    14 min

  3. Apr 20

    E32 Infant Sleep (Part 7): Orchid or Dandelion?

    This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences. Some babies seem to sleep easily almost anywhere. Others are far more sensitive to stimulation, change, or discomfort. In this episode we explore how temperament can shape infant sleep, using the concept of dandelion and orchid children. We talk about how some babies are naturally more adaptable, while others are more sensitive to their environment. We discuss why these differences can make certain sleep approaches work well for some families but not others. This episode is about reducing parental guilt and recognising that sleep differences between babies are often rooted in temperament, not parenting choices.

    15 min

  4. Apr 13

    E31 Infant Sleep (Part 6): Maximising Parent Sleep When Your Baby Wakes Often

    This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.   When babies wake frequently, the question many parents are really asking is: How do I survive the sleep deprivation? In this episode we shift the focus from “fixing” baby sleep to protecting parent sleep. We talk about practical strategies for maximising adult rest, including sharing overnight responsibilities, managing sleep windows for adults, and rethinking the often-unhelpful advice to “sleep when the baby sleeps.” This episode is about realistic ways families can protect their own sleep and wellbeing during a stage of life that is naturally demanding.

    26 min

  5. Apr 6

    E30 Infant Sleep (Part 5): Sensory Needs

    This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.   Not all babies experience the world in the same way. In this episode we explore how sensory processing differences can influence infant sleep. Some babies seek more stimulation and movement, while others are more sensitive to noise, light, or touch. These differences can shape how easily they settle and stay asleep. We talk about how understanding your baby’s sensory needs can help you think differently about sleep environments, stimulation during the day, and why some babies struggle with approaches that work well for others.

    28 min

  6. Mar 30

    E29 Infant Sleep (Part 4): When Gut Discomfort Disrupts Sleep

    This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.   In Part 4 of the infant sleep series, we explore a biological factor that can significantly affect sleep but is often overlooked in mainstream sleep advice: food allergies and gut discomfort. Sometimes when babies are waking frequently, feeding constantly, or struggling to settle, the issue isn’t a sleep habit at all. It’s discomfort. In this episode of Not Just Theories, I talk about how food allergies (particularly cow’s milk protein allergy or CMPA) can show up in babies, and why these patterns are often missed or dismissed as reflux, colic, or “normal fussiness.” We discuss possible signs that may appear together, including: mucus or blood in stools frequent or runny stools beyond the newborn stage reflux and feeding discomfort back arching and persistent fussiness frequent feeding for comfort disrupted sleep I also share personal experiences from both of my children, including the reality of navigating strict elimination diets while caring for a newborn, and the practical and social challenges that can come with removing major food groups postpartum. This episode is general education, not medical advice. If you’re concerned about your baby’s symptoms, feeding, or sleep, it’s important to discuss these patterns with your GP or another qualified health professional before making dietary changes.

    22 min

  7. Mar 23

    E28 Infant Sleep (Part 3): Medical Reasons Babies Struggle With Sleep

    This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences. In Part 3 of the infant sleep series, we explore something that often gets missed in sleep conversations: medical and biological factors that can interfere with sleep. Most infant sleep advice focuses on routines, schedules, and sleep associations. But sometimes the issue isn’t behavioural at all...it’s that something in a child’s body is making sleep genuinely harder. In this episode of Not Just Theories, we look at some of the underlying factors that can affect infant sleep, including reflux, feeding challenges, sleep-disordered breathing, iron deficiency, allergies, eczema, and other sources of physical discomfort. The goal of this episode isn’t to diagnose or alarm parents, but to help you recognise when persistent sleep struggles might be worth exploring with a health professional. We also talk about how to approach these conversations with your GP or child health provider, and how understanding possible biological barriers can shift the focus from “fixing sleep behaviour” to supporting your child’s overall wellbeing. This episode is general education, not medical advice. If you’re concerned about your child’s sleep or health, please speak with your GP or relevant healthcare professional.

    22 min

  8. Mar 16

    E27 Infant Sleep (Part 2): Why Some Babies Just Need Less Sleep

    This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.   In Part 2 of the infant sleep series, we zoom out from schedules and talk about something that often gets overlooked: individual sleep needs. Not all babies need the same amount of sleep. When your baby happens to fall on the lower end of the sleep spectrum, trying to follow typical schedules can quickly become frustrating for everyone involved. In this episode of Not Just Theories, I talk about the reality of low sleep needs babies, why sleep averages don’t tell the whole story, and how understanding your child’s individual sleep needs can help you distribute sleep across the full 24-hour day in a way that actually works for your family. We explore how to observe patterns in your baby’s sleep, how to think about total sleep across the day and night, and how parents can make small adjustments that support both their child’s biology and their family’s practical needs. This episode isn’t about rigid routines or “fixing” your baby’s sleep. It’s about understanding your child, letting go of one-size-fits-all expectations, and creating a sleep rhythm that works in real life. Links: https://www.facebook.com/beyondsleeptrainingproject/# https://www.facebook.com/groups/1844822782469496 https://littlesparklers.org/   Sleep Needs Chart: https://www.americanscientist.org/sites/americanscientist.org/files/2015391244210994-STREPchanges_1.png

    25 min
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About

Not Just Theories Parenting and therapy beyond the textbooks. Tired of parenting advice that sounds good but doesn’t work? This podcast is about real-life solutions you can actually use. I’m Brittany, a speech pathologist and parent. Here, we go beyond ideas and theories. I share honest stories, practical tips, and clear examples from my experience. Each episode breaks down parenting, therapy, and household strategies into easy, real-world steps. No jargon, no fluff - just useful advice that fits your busy life. If you want help that feels doable and honest, this podcast is for you. Let’s make parenting and supporting your family simpler and more real. Because life doesn't follow a theory- here's what I actually do.

Information

  • Creator
    Not Just Theories
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Not Just Theories