Sense by Meg Faure: Real Life Parenting

Meg Faure
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 3h ago

    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 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 ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ #BabyPoo #BabyPoop #BabyConstipation #InfantDyschezia #BabyGutHealth #GutHealth #ChildhoodConstipation #BabyHealth #StartingSolids #Weaning #NewParents #ParentingTips #ParentingAdvice #BabyHealth #ParentingPodcast

    BABY POO 101: What's normal, what's not & when to worry. S9 | Ep 226

  2. Aug 27

    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 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

  3. Aug 20

    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 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  Instagram | LinkedIn | Website

  4. Aug 13

    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 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 generationsWhy parents don't need to constantly “intervene” to support their child's developmentWhy eye contact, reading, talking, feeding and everyday routines can become powerful moments of connectionWhy repair may be more important than perfectionHow the loss of the traditional “village” has changed the parenting experienceWhy 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 Instagram LinkedIn Website Parent Sense Instagram LinkedIn Website

    You Don’t Have to Be a Perfect Parent: The Power of Connection, Repair & Relational Health

  5. Aug 6

    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 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 Instagram LinkedIn Website Parent Sense Instagram LinkedIn Website

    Why Working Parents Are the Untapped Talent Every Employer Needs

  6. Jul 30

    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 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 CTGWhy an umbilical cord around the neck can restrict growth and movement in uteroHow compensated preeclampsia can go undetected until late pregnancyWhat low platelet counts can signal in newborns, and why they're taken seriouslyWhy delayed cord clamping and skin-to-skin can still happen after an emergency C-sectionWhat it's really like for a mother to leave hospital without her babyWhen the RSV vaccine is offered to newborns and why timing mattersHow combining breastfeeding, expressed milk, and formula can support a fragile newbornABOUT 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 Instagram LinkedIn Website Parent Sense Instagram LinkedIn Website

    When a Paediatrician Becomes the Patient: Dr Nellie Balfour's own NICU Story

  7. Jul 23

    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 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 mindWhat matrescence is, and why returning to work can feel like reversing that transformationHow to stop chasing "work-life balance" and what to focus on insteadWhy ambition and mom guilt can coexist without one having to winWhat HR teams and employers consistently get wrong (and right) when moms returnWhy careers don't need to be a straight line to still be good onesABOUT 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 Instagram | Website 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 Instagram LinkedIn Website Parent Sense Instagram LinkedIn Website #SenseByMegFaure #ParentSense #WorkingMoms #MomGuilt #ReturnToWork #Matrescence #WorkLifeBalance #MegFaure #NewMoms #MaternityLeave

    Ambition and Mum Guilt: The Truth About Returning to Work After Baby S9 | E220

  8. Jul 16

    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 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 Instagram LinkedIn Website Parent Sense Instagram LinkedIn Website

    The Scan That Changed Everything: A Quad Pregnancy Story | S9 | E219
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.

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