Sense by Meg Faure: Real Life Parenting

Meg Faure

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. Baby Kicks, Alcohol Myths, and the Vaccines That Protect Your Baby Before Birth S8 | E211

    1D AGO

    Baby Kicks, Alcohol Myths, and the Vaccines That Protect Your Baby Before Birth S8 | E211

    The Second Trimester, Real and Unfiltered with Dr. Nellie Balfour On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we sit down with Dr. Nellie Balfour for a conversation that is second trimester, real and unfiltered. Dr. Balfour is a paediatrician navigating her own second pregnancy in real time. She brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to every topic covered. This is the second episode in an ongoing real-time pregnancy series. It is honest, practical, and deeply reassuring for any expectant parent. The Second Trimester: A Different Pregnancy Entirely Nellie describes the second trimester as her favourite season of pregnancy. Energy returns. Appetite is restored. The baby bump becomes visible and joyful. For Nellie, whose nausea extended to 22 weeks, the relief of the second trimester was particularly profound. Meg and Nellie discuss the hereditary nature of hyperemesis gravidarum,and address nutritional concerns for mums who lose weight in the first trimester. Baby Kicks: What Is Normal and What to Watch For Feeling your baby move is one of the most treasured moments of pregnancy. Nellie explains that movement is typically felt between 16 and 20 weeks. In subsequent pregnancies it often occurs earlier. Placenta position plays a significant role in how strongly kicks are felt. The general guideline is to feel around 10 kicks within an hour. If movement is reduced, eating something sweet or lying on the left side usually prompts activity. Alcohol, Teratogens, and Foods to Avoid Meg and Nellie are fully aligned. Alcohol is an absolute no during pregnancy. South Africa carries the highest rates of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the world. There is no proven safe amount of alcohol at any stage of pregnancy. Tests and Scans in the Second Trimester Nellie walks listeners through the key screenings offered in the second trimester. For mothers over 35, NIPT is often completed in the first trimester. For lower-risk pregnancies, the triple or quadruple test screens for Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions. Vaccinations in Pregnancy: Protecting Your Baby Before Birth South Africa is ahead of many countries in vaccinating pregnant women. Nellie outlines three vaccines now recommended during pregnancy: RSV, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. Each of these illnesses can be life-threatening for newborns. This conversation is second trimester, real and unfiltered, and it may genuinely save lives. Illness, Toddlers, and TORCH Infections Respiratory viruses are generally manageable with hydration, fever control, and pregnancy-safe medications. The more serious TORCH category includes toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes, and syphilis. About Our Guest: Dr. Nellie Balfour is a mom and Specialist Pediatrician with a focus on neonates, newborns, and early childhood development. Dr. Nellie is passionate about empowering parents with credible, evidence-based information so they can make the best decisions for their children. You can find her and her popular Q&A sessions on Instagram at @drnelliepaeds Episode References and Links: 📱 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. https://parentsense.app/ CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE Web: megfaure.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/

    29 min
  2. The CALM Method: From Mom Guilt to Real Boundaries with Angie Weber S2 | E210

    MAY 14

    The CALM Method: From Mom Guilt to Real Boundaries with Angie Weber S2 | E210

    On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure, we sit down with Angie Weber, host of Mom Essentials, owner of The Parent Toolbox, and founder of the Divorce Support Collective, to talk about parenting with intention and what it really takes to break the cycle of yelling, guilt, and shame. Angie built her CALM framework not from a textbook but from her own lived healing journey through anxiety, depression, and PTSD. What came out of that journey is a practical, compassionate approach that is already changing families across the world. What is the CALM Approach? CALM is an acronym. Each letter is a foundational pillar of Angie's parenting framework: C - Compassionate Communication: How we speak to our children, how we truly listen, and how we build connection in a world dominated by screens.A - Awareness and Accountability: Becoming curious about behaviour rather than reactive to it. Understanding what children are communicating through their actions, and holding ourselves and our children accountable through meaningful consequences.L - Learning Emotional Regulation: Recognising emotions as they rise, and learning to process and express them in healthy ways - for parents first, and then for children.M - Mindful Modelling: Our children are watching us all the time. The goal is to shift from "do as I say, not as I do" to "do as I do."The Red Brain vs. The Green Brain One of the most practical sections of this conversation covers what to do when you are already dysregulated. Angie shares her five-point body check-in: a tool that helps parents catch themselves before they react in ways they later regret. The five points to check are: Body sensationsBody movementsThoughtsEmotionsThe five sensesPracticed consistently, this check-in becomes second nature. Gentle Parenting vs. Permissive Parenting Angie and Meg unpack one of the most misunderstood distinctions in modern parenting. Gentle parenting, at its core, includes boundaries and consequences.Permissive parenting does not.Trying to remove every obstacle and keep children happy one hundred percent of the time does them a far greater disservice than we realise. Tune In: This episode is about parenting with intention - if you are a parent who has ever gone from zero to sixty and spent the next hour drowning in guilt, this conversation is for you. Guest References: Angie Weber Website: theparenttoolbox.infoFacebook: The Parent ToolboxInstagram: The Parent ToolboxYouTube: The Parent ToolboxPodcast: Mom EssentialsResource: The Calm Family Planner — 52 weeks of guided family meetings

    33 min
  3. Nothing Could Have Prepared Me for My Own Pregnancy: A Paediatrician Gets Real S8 | E209

    MAY 7

    Nothing Could Have Prepared Me for My Own Pregnancy: A Paediatrician Gets Real S8 | E209

    On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we sit down with Dr. Nellie Balfour, a specialist paediatrician who has spent years working in neonatal ICUs, as she navigates her own second pregnancy in real time. This is the first episode in a brand new series on Sense by Meg Faure, following Nellie's pregnancy journey trimester by trimester. It is raw, honest, deeply personal and utterly reassuring. What We Cover: Prenatal Depression: The conversation we are not having. Dr. Nellie opens up about experiencing prenatal depression during her first trimester — losing six kilograms, sleeping constantly, feeling hopeless, and ultimately needing medication. She explains why second-time mums are actually more vulnerable to prenatal depression than postpartum depression, why the symptoms are so often missed or dismissed, and why the stigma makes everything worse. Her advice is simple and direct: any feeling of hopelessness during pregnancy is a red flag. Talk to someone. Tell your gynaecologist. Do not wait. Medical Knowledge and Pregnancy Anxiety: Many people assume that a paediatrician would sail through pregnancy with confidence. Dr. Nellie challenges that completely. When you know every possible risk, your mind finds more to worry about — not less. Meg Faure shares her own experience of this, reminding us that motherhood is the great leveller. It does not matter whether you are a plumber or a paediatrician. The emotional journey of becoming a mother humbles everyone equally. Medication Safety in Pregnancy: Social media is full of dangerous misinformation about medication in pregnancy. Meg and Nellie set the record straight. Breech Babies and Motor Development: Dr. Nellie asks Meg a fascinating clinical question: what are the developmental implications of a breech birth? Meg explains the role of the vestibular system in orienting a baby head-down in the womb, and how a consistently breech position may affect muscle tone, balance, coordination and bilateral integration later in life. It is not a linear outcome — but it is one reason why movement in pregnancy matters, and why sensory integration therapy can make such a difference for children with vestibular challenges. Rupture and Repair: The episode closes with a concept that will stay with every parent who hears it. There is no such thing as a perfect pregnancy or a perfect mother. . About Our Guest: Dr. Nellie Balfour is a mom and Specialist Pediatrician with a focus on neonates, newborns, and early childhood development. Dr. Nellie is passionate about empowering parents with credible, evidence-based information so they can make the best decisions for their children. You can find her and her popular Q&A sessions on Instagram at @drnelliepaeds Episode References and Links: 📱 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. https://parentsense.app/ CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE Web: megfaure.com Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/MegFaure.Sense Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/

    31 min
  4. The Golden Window: When and How to Potty Train Without the Drama S8 | E207

    APR 30

    The Golden Window: When and How to Potty Train Without the Drama S8 | E207

    Introduction On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we are talking about one of the most searched, most stressed-about, and most misunderstood milestones in the toddler years: potty training. Meg Faure takes you through the science, the sensory personalities, and a practical day-by-day plan that gets most little ones out of nappies within ten days. No punishment, no pressure, no drama. Why Sensory Personality Changes Everything Not all children potty train the same way, and getting this wrong is one of the main reasons parents feel like they are failing. Meg explains the four sensory personalities and what each one means for potty training. High-filter babies, your social butterflies and settled little ones, are prone to accidents because they simply do not notice the signals. They need a scheduled approach, active play to increase body awareness, and language cues to bridge the gap. Sensitive and slow-to-warm-up babies feel everything intensely, may have anxiety around the process, and need calm, unhurried, comfortable conditions to feel safe enough to go. The Golden Window and Readiness Cues Meg introduces the four age categories for potty training and makes a clear case for why 18 to 30 months is the golden window. She walks through the physical, cognitive, and sensory readiness cues to look for, from dry nappies after naps and pulling the nappy off, to pointing, communicating, and pausing in play to register the signal. She also explains why waiting until after 30 months tends to make the process significantly harder. The One Thing Parents Set Up Wrong Before potty training even begins, you need to set up the right space. Meg covers exactly what this looks like: a calm, dedicated spot with books nearby, a stable and well-fitted potty or seat reducer, a reward jar, and, critically, a footrest. Feet flat on the floor is non-negotiable. Children cannot push out a poo and manage a swinging-legs balancing act at the same time. The 10-Day Plan: Prep Week and Potty Week Prep week is about nappy-off time, language, and dolly play. Potty week is about repetition, timing, fluids, and reward. Meg gives you a clear sequence: lots to drink, a timer set for every 45 minutes, training pants on, signals watched for, and every success met with genuine reward. She also covers troubleshooting: going out, the difference between wees and poos, children who need a nappy for poos, and how to approach night-time training when the time comes. About Our Host: Meg Faure is an occupational therapist, author of the 'Sense' series of parenting books (including Baby Sense), and the founder of the Parent Sense app. With decades of experience working with parents and babies, her mission is to bring calm, clarity, and confidence to the parenting journey. Episode References and Links: 📱 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: https://parentsense.app/ CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE Web: megfaure.com Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/MegFaure.Sense Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/ Potty Training Course: https://parentse.onelink.me/TCyx/coursesToddler

    28 min
  5. Not Broken. Differently Wired. Raising the Neurodivergent Child with Dr Itzikowitz S8 | E207

    APR 23

    Not Broken. Differently Wired. Raising the Neurodivergent Child with Dr Itzikowitz S8 | E207

    Introduction This week we have one of the most honest and tender conversations this podcast has ever held. Meg sits down with Dr Raphaela Itzikowitz Geva, specialist paediatrician, neurodevelopment expert, and founder of The Full Spectrum app. Together they explore what it truly means to raise a child whose brain works differently. Whether you are a parent who has just started to notice something, a family in the middle of a long diagnostic journey, or someone who received a label years ago and is still finding their footing, this episode is for you. What Neurodivergence Actually Means Raphaela unpacks the difference between neurodiversity and neurodivergence with clarity and compassion. Neurodiversity is simply the reality that all human brains are different. Neurodivergence is where those differences create specific challenges in navigating a demanding world. Crucially, she reframes the entire conversation: this is not about fixing an incorrect child. It is about understanding how a child processes their world so that we can support them to thrive within it. Guilt vs. Grief: Two Very Different Things One of the most powerful moments in this episode is Raphaela's distinction between guilt and grief. Guilt asks: did I cause this? Grief says: this is not what I expected, and it is hard. Raphaela explains why neurodivergence is almost never anybody's fault, and why untangling these two emotions is one of the most liberating things a parent can do. She also addresses the moment of diagnosis itself, which for many parents holds both shock and, unexpectedly, relief. Neuroplasticity and the Early Window The early brain is wiring itself in real time, and what happens in those first years matters enormously. Raphaela explains neuroplasticity in plain language and makes a compelling case for early intervention. Not because we are changing the child to fit the world, but because we are shaping the experience of the child so they can explore their world with confidence. The window is open right now, and this conversation tells you exactly how to use it. The Space Between the Notes Raphaela introduces one of the most memorable ideas in this episode: the space between the notes. The notes are the therapy sessions and clinical appointments. The space is everything that happens at home, every day, in the ordinary moments of connection and repetition. She explains the three documents every parent receives when leaving her practice: a neurodevelopmental report, an Understanding Your Child document that decodes behaviour, and a Rationalised Action Map that gives families a clear, prioritised place to start. Why You Must Listen This episode is not about adding more to your plate. It is about understanding. And understanding, as Raphaela says, is the key that unlocks a great deal of frustration. Her closing words are a gift to every parent on this journey: the journey is different. It is not less. Listen today, and share it with every parent who needs to hear it. I. EPISODE REFERENCES AND SHOW NOTES LINKS Guest: Dr Raphaela Itzikowitz Geva Specialist Paediatrician and Neurodevelopment Expert Website: docraphaela.com Instagram: @dr.raphaelaitzikowitz App: The Full Spectrum 🎙️ Enjoyed This Episode? Please like, share, and subscribe so you never miss a week of Sense by Meg Faure. 📱 Take the guesswork out of feeding, sleep, weaning, and routines. Download the Parent Sense app today and use code SENSE50 for 50% off. 👉 https://parentsense.app/

    38 min
  6. Is Your Child Seen? The One Thing Kim Kleidon Says Every Parent Gets Wrong S8 | E 206

    APR 16

    Is Your Child Seen? The One Thing Kim Kleidon Says Every Parent Gets Wrong S8 | E 206

    Introduction On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we explore the question at the heart of connected parenting: Is Your Child Seen? The One Thing Kim Kleidon Says Every Parent Gets Wrong. Meg sits down with Kim Kleidon, former ABC Radio broadcaster, storytelling coach, and host of What We Teach Our Children. Kim has spent years distilling the wisdom of over 75 conversations with parents, educators, and researchers worldwide. What Children Need Most Kim's answer is simple: children need to feel seen. Not entertained, not scheduled. Just genuinely noticed. She says five minutes of real presence, eye to eye, interested and engaged, matters more than hours of planned activity. That quality of attention is what children carry with them. It shapes their emotional resilience and their sense of self. Phones, Presence, and Being Seen Kim shares a striking insight from her interviews. Children today feel they are competing with their parent's phone. What they often see is the top of a parent's head. This has real consequences for neurological and emotional development. Meg adds that unseen children find ways to be seen. In toddlers, that means tantrums. In teenagers, it can mean defiance or self-expression that surprises parents. Stories and the Bedtime Hack Kim is a passionate advocate for storytelling as a parenting tool. A rhythmic, calming story at bedtime helps a child's brain transition into sleep. It also builds language, connection, and emotional intelligence. Meg introduces book sharing, a research-backed approach using wordless picture books. Parents narrate and connect the story to their child's own experience. Studies show it strengthens language, connection, and emotional self-awareness. Stop Over-Scheduling Kim's most repeated message across 75-plus conversations: stop trying to control everything. Children do not need to be learning or entertained at every moment. Boredom is not a problem. It is where creativity begins. Free play and unstructured time are not gaps in development. They are the very soil in which it grows. Why You Must Listen Is Your Child Seen? The One Thing Kim Kleidon Says Every Parent Gets Wrong is not a conversation that adds to your plate. It quietly removes what was never necessary. Kim closes with one powerful practice: ask your child directly, how can I serve you better? The answers, she says, will change everything. Listen today and share it with every parent you know. GUEST : Kim Kleidon Website: KimKleidon.com Podcast: What We Teach Our Children Available on: Spotify, Amazon, Pocket Casts, iHeartRadio BOOKS BY KIM KLEIDON Huggle Snuggle Cuddle Flutter by Butterfly Grandpa's Garden 🎙️ Enjoyed This Episode? If this episode brought you clarity, calm, and confidence — please like, share, and subscribe so you never miss a week of Sense by Meg Faure. 📱 Download the Parent Sense App Take the guesswork out of feeding, sleep, weaning, and routines. Download the Parent Sense app today and use code SENSE50 for 50% off. 👉 https://parentsense.app/

    41 min
  7. The Twin Mum Truth: Crawling, Colds & the Feeding Window You Can't Afford to Miss S8 | E205

    APR 9

    The Twin Mum Truth: Crawling, Colds & the Feeding Window You Can't Afford to Miss S8 | E205

    On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we dive into the real, raw, and rewarding world of twin parenting at 11 months. Meg is joined by twin mum and South African TV personality Zoë Brown, and Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant Tasha Perreard. Together they cover crawling milestones, the feeding window of opportunity, immune support for daycare babies, and the coming nap transition. 🧸 Crawling: What's Normal & What Helps Zoë's boys are army crawling but not yet on hands and knees. Meg shares the towel hammock hack — roll a towel into a sausage, support baby's chest over it, and help them find that four-point kneeling position. Core strengthening activities like kicking balloons also help. If crawling hasn't happened by 12 months, seek support from an NDT-trained physiotherapist or occupational therapist. And remember — never encourage bum shuffling. 🍽️ The Feeding Window of Opportunity Now is the golden window to build adventurous eaters — before toddler fussiness sets in. By 12 months, babies can eat almost everything the family eats. Don't forget the allergens many parents miss: sesame, shellfish, soya, gluten, and all tree nuts (not just peanuts). 😴 Sleep & the Nap Transition Luke's night waking was solved simply by moving him to a 2.5-tog sleep sack — a great reminder that sensory-sensitive babies feel environmental changes more acutely. Looking ahead, between 12–14 months most babies drop from two day sleeps to one. Gradually push the morning sleep later and bring bedtime earlier to ease the transition. 🤧 Daycare Coughs, Colds & Immune Support No cough suppressants under two — the goal is to keep mucus moving. Use saline spray three to four times daily. ACC syrup (from six months) helps thin mucus. For immune support, Tasha recommends Vitamin D, zinc, and echinacea. 👩‍⚕️ About Our Guests Zoë Brown is a South African radio and TV personality, best known for hosting the Afternoon Drive on KFM and as a presenter on Expresso. Follow Zoë on Instagram: @zbzoebrown Tasha Perreard is a Registered Nurse, Internationally Certified Lactation Consultant, and owner of the Well Mother and Child Clinic in Rondebosch, Cape Town. Contact Tasha at: @wmc_clinic 🎙️ Enjoyed This Episode? If this episode brought you clarity, calm, and confidence — please like, share, and subscribe so you never miss a week of Sense by Meg Faure. Share it with a fellow twin mum or any parent with a baby approaching one year old. It could make all the difference! 📱 Download the Parent Sense App Take the guesswork out of feeding, sleep, weaning, and routines. Download the Parent Sense app today and use code SENSE50 for 50% off. 👉 https://parentsense.app/

    27 min
  8. Sharyn Feldman - Stop Rushing, Start Wondering: Building True Parenting Confidence S8 | E204

    APR 2

    Sharyn Feldman - Stop Rushing, Start Wondering: Building True Parenting Confidence S8 | E204

    This week on Sense by Meg Faure, we delve into a profound parenting dilemma that every parent asks: "Why, even when I know what to do… do I still feel like I'm getting it wrong?" This gap between capability and inner confidence is the focus of our conversation today. Host Meg Faure sits down with Sharyn Feldman to explore how to feel truly steady as a parent. Capability vs. Confidence: The Inner Difference Many parents master the "how-to" tasks of parenting, like feeding and routines. These are essential technical skills. However, knowing these tasks does not equate to feeling confident. True confidence stems from "who you are while you are doing them." It involves internal awareness. Parents must notice their own feelings, reactions, and their child’s responses to cultivate genuine inner steadiness. From "I Know" to "I Wonder": Embracing Curiosity Drawing on the work of Dr. Claudia Gold, we discuss shifting from "I know" to "I wonder." This transition from certainty to curiosity is where real confidence blossoms. Sharyn emphasizes the concept of "willingness"—the courage to embrace uncertainty. By letting go of the need for immediate answers and engaging with the "grey" areas of parenting, you foster a deeper, more resilient confidence. You Are Your Child's Primary Environment Your child's most important environment isn't their nursery or your home; it is you. You are an energetic, emotional environment that your child constantly absorbs. This realization reframes how we show up. Reflective parenting means noticing the energy you create and staying curious about your child’s response to you. This understanding fosters a more intentional and deeply connected approach. Beyond "Fast Food Parenting" Social media is full of quick tips and hacks. Sharyn aptly calls this "fast food parenting." Like fast food, these solutions offer a quick fix but lack long-term nourishment. Real, home-cooked parenting requires time, care, and thoughtful reflection. It moves beyond instant gratification to build lasting, meaningful relationships. About Our Guest: Sharyn Feldman is a registered psychotherapist and the founder of Parent Wellness. She specializes in supporting parents to develop emotional regulation, relational awareness, and confidence through therapy, support groups, and educational programs. Episode References and Links: 📱 Parent Sense App – Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here.Sharyn Feldman Website: https://www.parentwellness.caCONNECT WITH MEG FAURE Web: megfaure.comSocial Media: Facebook | InstagramSUPPORT THE PODCAST I hope you enjoyed this episode of SENSE BY Meg Faure! If you want to support or follow the podcast: Subscribe on your favorite platform.Leave a 5* rating and reviewFollow my social media channels or sign up to my mailing list.

    34 min

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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