Natural Super Kids Podcast

In our last episode, I had an insightful discussion with Paediatric Neurologist Dr Steve Hodges from the United States. Dr. Hodges shared his unique approach to toileting issues, explaining how chronic constipation may be the underlying cause of toileting issues in your children. If you haven't listened to this episode yet, click here to listen. Today we are diving into bedwetting - a challenging issue for many families. Bedwetting can be inconvenient, and embarrassing as children get older, with little information surrounding alternative treatments for bedwetting. Join me as I break down a topic that can be a struggle for many children. In this episode, I discuss:How constipation can be an underlying cause of bedwetting;Imbalances in the gut microbiome and how this can contribute to bedwetting, chronic cystitis, and thrush;Symptoms of worms and how worms can be a cause of bedwetting; The link between allergies (food and environmental), and increased risk of bedwetting;How  controlling asthma can reduce the incidence of bedwetting;The role stress plays in bedwetting, and how wetting the bed can affect a child's mental health;The association between bedwetting and behavioural problems, and how bedwetting is more common in neurodiverse kids;The link between sleep-disordered breathing and bedwetting.Episode Links:Constipation in children - A Natural Approach The connection between the Bladder and the Brain-Gut Axis in treating Functional Bladder Disorders  Treating Worms in Children Allergic Rhinitis and the Associated Risk of Bedwetting  Study The association between Asthma and Bedwetting Study Behavioural Problems and Bedwetting Study The link between Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Bedwetting Study Assessment of oral function 

Today we have Dr. Steve Hodges on the podcast. Dr. Hodges is a Professor of Pediatric Urology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and is a leading authority on childhood toileting issues. In this episode, Dr Hodges and I discuss enuresis (bedtime and daytime wetting) and encopresis (poop accidents). Dr Hodges is dedicated to debunking common myths surrounding enuresis (bedtime and daytime wetting) and encopresis (poop accidents), emphasizing that these issues are never a child's fault. Dr. Hodges has authored eight books for parents and children, including "The M.O.P. Anthology" and "Bedwetting and Accidents Aren't Your Fault."In this episode, Dr. Hodges and I go over:The common misconceptions he has encountered when it comes to enuresis and encopresis;Why it is important to emphasize that accidents are never a child's fault;The key differences between enuresis and encopresis;The motivation behind Dr Hodges's writing "The M.O.P. Anthology" and "Bedwetting and Accidents Aren’t Your Fault"? and what these books offer to parents and children;The main challenges parents face when dealing with bedwetting and accidents in their children, and how you can work to help them overcome these challenges;Plus Dr. Hodges shares his insights on the prevalence of bedwetting and daytime wetting issues in children.Episode Links:For more information on Dr Hodges, plus access to his resources - click here. 

This week on the Natural Super Kids podcast we are talking about risk-taking, risky play, and risky activities in kids. Back in January, I shared some stories on Instagram about my children jetty jumping, and it led to a conversation about how parents feel about risky activities such as jetty jumping, most parents said risky activities made them very nervous.So I thought I would touch on this topic of conversation further, and dive deeper on the benefits of risky play. In this episode, I share:What is risky play;The big reason I prefer my children to take risks when I am around; I dive deeper into the 6 categories of risky play which include:Great heights;Rapid speeds;Dangerous tools;Dangerous elements;Rough and tumble;Disappearing or getting lost; The benefits of risky play;The teenage brain when it comes to seeking out risky behaviour.Episode links:Ellen Sandseter's 6 Categories of Risky Play

In our last episode we talked about sleep in general, the underlying causes of sleep issues in kids, diet and lifestyle factors that impact sleep and some practical tips to improve sleep for families. If you haven't listened to that episode yet - click here.  Today we are zooming in to focus specifically on melatonin, its role in sleep, how we can support healthy melatonin production and using melatonin to support sleep in children.Join me for this informative chat with our practising naturopath, Sarah Worboys as we discuss:The circadian rhythm and melatonin’s role in the circadian rhythm;The reasons melatonin is important for children (besides sleep);The importance of light for natural melatonin production and what parents can do in their homes to reduce light and support melatonin production;The specific nutrients your child needs to produce melatonin;Sarah and I discuss melatonin supplements and when parents may want to consider trying melatonin;We also touch on synthetic vs natural melatonin, plus the safety around long-term use.Episode Links:Book a consultation with our team to get your child's sleep sorted today;The short-term and long-term adverse effects of melatonin treatment in children and adolescents Study;Is Phytomelatonin Complex Better Than Synthetic Melatonin Study;Dietary Sources and Bioactivities of Melatonin Study.

Sleep is an essential component of overall good human health. Good sleep supports children's physiological and mental health, cognitive development, and behaviour.  At Natural Super Kids we see sleep issues in children frequently, and in this week's podcast episode, I sat down with our practising Naturopath, Sarah Worboys to discuss how naturopathy can support sleep issues in children. In this episode, you will discover:Why sleep is important and how much sleep children require;The common causes of sleep issues in children;The importance of neurotransmitters when it comes to sleep and some of the signs these may be out of balance;The impact diet and lifestyle have on sleep;Plus Sarah shares some general tips for better sleep.Episode Links:Is sleep an issue for your child? Book a consultation with our team here. The Effects of Dietary Nutrition on Sleep and Sleep Disorders Study.Plasma DHA Is Related to Sleep Timing and Duration Study.

Heavy metal toxicity in the body can cause symptoms such as brain fog, poor concentration, mood swings, headaches, food allergies, and more. The term ‘heavy metals’ is related to elements found on the periodic table. These elements include mercury, copper, iron, and zinc.  So how do you determine whether your child has heavy metals circulating their body? Join me for this informative chat with our Clinical Nutritionist, Mel Kirkwood to learn more about how heavy metals can impact your child's health.In this episode, Mel shares with us:What are heavy metals;How do they impact children, and the symptoms correlated with heavy metal toxicity;Testing options available and our preferred method for children;What parents do to reduce their children's exposure to heavy metals;Mel also shares with us a case study about her client Billy - an 8-year-old boy who was experiencing silent seizures, learning difficulties, and fussy eating, and how a particular heavy metal was impacting him. Episode Links:Book a 1:1 consultation with our team. 

Ever wondered why your child is always picky about certain foods? Ever battled with recurrent infections, allergies, or even challenging behavior? It all could be tied to something as simple as gut health.I'm excited to announce that I've put together a brand new kids' gut health assessment. This assessment will help you determine just how healthy your child's gut is, and give you guidance on what next steps you need to take.In this episode we will go through a series of questions to determine if your child falls under three categories:1. Gut Repair;2. Gut Nourish;3. Gut Maintain;The information in this podcast episode, together with the gut health assessment will help you make the most of the information I share in my upcoming Free Gut Health Masterclass that I will be hosting next week.  Have you registered? If not, check out the information below to save your seat, and together we can work to improve your child's behaviour, fussy eating, allergies, and so much more..

Today we're talking about fussy eaters and food intolerances - two very common complaints we see in the Natural Super Kids Clinic. Specifically what you might be missing if you're dealing with a child who is a fussy eater, or one who has a food intolerance.. or maybe you're dealing with both concerns. In this episode, Jess will share:A personal client of Jess's who had multiple food intolerances, low immunity, fussy with food, and Mum was struggling to find foods that were safe for her to eat;Jess shares what approach she took with this client including focusing on the gut;What you might be missing when it comes to fussy eating and food intolerances;Information on what gut dysbiosis and intestinal permeability are, how this can impact your child & how this relates to fussy eating and food intolerances.Episode Links:Download your copy of our free Kids Gut Health eBook here. 

If you are a parent of a child who has been diagnosed with a lung condition such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or acute respiratory infections such as influenza, RSV, or the common cold then this episode is valuable for you. Research tells us that there is promise for these chronic lung conditions and that the gut microbiome plays a significant role in improving lung function. In this episode Jess shares:How dysbiosis in gut microbiota is associated with lung disorders and respiratory infections;More information on the lung-gut axis and how gut health is connected to lung function;Jess shares research from studies focusing on the gut-lung connection;Plus, the importance of short-chain fatty acids when it comes to nourishing the gut, lung health, immunity and more;Some of the specific respiratory and lung conditions we see in children and our strategies for improving symptoms including:Hayfever and environmental allergies; Asthma; Cystic Fibrosis;The benefits of a fibre-rich diet for influencing the lungs;Specific strains of probiotic strains play a beneficial role in improving the gut-lung axis.Episode Links:Episode 6: The Hygiene Hypothesis and Allergies in Kids;Research Paper: The lung–gut axis during viral respiratory infections: the impact of gut dysbiosis on secondary disease outcomesResearch Paper: Diet, Microbiota and Gut-Lung ConnectionResearch Paper: The Role of the Microbiome in Asthma: The Gut–Lung Axis

If you are a parent of a child who struggles with sensitive skin, eczema, rashes, hives, keratosis pilaris (chicken skin) psoriasis, acne, chronic skin infections such as molluscum, Impetigo, hand, foot, and mouth, cradle cap this episode is going to interest you. Let us dive into the fascinating connection between the gut and the skin. In this episode we will zoom out and look at skin health in general and how the gut is involved with our skin health. In this episode, I will share:My own story with acne struggles, and how it lead me to study naturopathy;The various reasons why the gut is so important for skin conditions, including:Both the gut and the skin are elimination channels for the body;Inflammation from the gut can lead to inflammation of the skin;Why the gut and the immune system go hand-in-hand, and how this impact the skin (ie: skin infections, molluscum);The nutrients that are important for gut and skin integrity;When it comes to hormonal skin conditions such as acne we need to also consider the role of the gut.I share more on the specific strains of probiotics that are beneficial for certain skin conditionsEpisode Links:Episode 38: Eczema: Causes and Natural SolutionsEpisode 39: The link between eczema and gut healthEpisode 49: Preventing and treating acne in teensEpisode 71: Treating Molluscum Contagiosum

The rise in mental health issues among children is concerning, but did you know that it's tightly woven with changes in their gut microbiome? In this episode, I will share with you how nurturing a diverse microbiome can balance neurotransmitters and enhance mental well-being to improve mood, sleep, behaviour, and more. In this episode, we will delve into:Understanding what the gut-brain connection is;What the gut-brain connection means for our children's overall health and well-being;Steps we can take to improve our children's mental health through the gut-brain connection, including dietary, lifestyle, and nutrient suggestions;I will share more information on the gut and why our microbes are so important for brain health;What affects microbiome diversity in our children;The link between gastrointestinal complaints & mental health disorders;I share more information on neuroinflammation and what we can do to reduce this;I delve into the topic of psychobiotics and what specific strains have been researched in connection to improving mood, sleep, and mental health outcomes.Plus my favourite herb & nutrient for gut-brain connection.Episode Links:Download our free Kids Gut Health eBook to start improving your kid's gut health here;Book an express consultation with our practitioners to receive supplement advice. Reach out to us on Instagram here. 

Join me for this conversational episode where I chat about the concept of orchid and dandelion children. I spoke about this over on our Instagram page in December 2023 and it resonated with a lot of parents, so I thought I would expand upon it today on the podcast. The concept of orchid and dandelion children was created by pediatrician and Professor emeritus of paediatrics and psychiatry, W. Thomas Boyce. Dr Boyce shares that children have two very different responses to their environments. While some children are like dandelions and can thrive in almost any environment, there are others who, like orchids, are much more reactive and susceptible to their surroundings. In this episode I will be sharing more about this concept, including: Why some children are much more affected by their circumstances and their environment, compared to others;I share the statistics of how many children are known as dandelion children, what this means, and what personality traits they have;I share how many children identify as orchid children and their personality traits;  Plus, how we can support our orchid children.Episode links: Follow us on Instagram here. Watch the TedTalk on this concept here. Purchase The Orchid and the Dandelion - Why Some Children Struggle and How All Can Thrive on Amazon. 

Packing school lunch boxes every day can be such a chore, especially when your kid comes home and you realise they haven't eaten a thing you've prepared.  When it comes to packing school lunchboxes, it's important to focus on building a nutritionally balanced lunchbox that balances your children's blood sugar levels, but we also need to find foods our kids want to eat (which is the tricky part!)In this episode, I will be sharing my time-saving hacks for packing a healthy lunchbox. For more insights on packing a healthy lunchbox, be sure to listen to Episode 53 of the Natural Super Kids podcast. Let's dive into: Why packing a healthy lunchbox is such a significant part of our kid's overall wellbeing;Tips for packing a lunchbox for a fussy eater;How to improve nutrition throughout the day, if they won't eat it out of their lunchbox;Why healthy lunchbox options are so beneficial for our kids.. (hint: it involves balancing blood sugar levels..);We dive into some of my time-saving hacks including:Batch cooking recipes that freeze well and are made to last (hint: sweet snack options);How having a schedule or a plan to "prep ahead" is a game-changer;Why I love to have the lunchboxes cleaned and ready to go when I'm cooking dinner;The key macronutrient you should include, and how to make it easier for you to include it in the lunchbox;How to get the kids involved and put them in charge, plus tips for all ages;Quick, easy supermarket options to have on hand.Episode Links:Join us for the Natural Super Kids Lunchbox Challenge in February. Click here to have access to recipes, masterclasses, community, prizes, and more. Listen to Episode 53: Packing a healthy lunchboxNot ready to join us? Join the KLUB waitlist here. 

This week I'm thrilled to have Kirsten Cobabe on the podcast. I've had the pleasure of chatting with Kirsten before for our membership program, the Natural Super Kids Klub, and it was such an insightful chat on supporting our teens.Kirsten is a family coach and teen whisperer who specialises in supporting both teens and parents in navigating the waves of adolescence. Her intentional approach focuses on creating lasting connections through curiosity, presence, authenticity, and awareness. Kirsten supports parents in learning how to listen to and talk with their teens. She engages parents in personal reflection, embracing their new role, cultivating rapport, understanding the teen brain, transforming obstacles, and restoring harmony in the home In this episode of the Natural Super Kids Podcast, Kirsten and I discuss: More details about this age and stage of life for our teens;Understanding counter-will;Why we should look to the environment rather than blaming the teen;How to listen, really listen, without an agenda to better connect;How to shift from conflict to connection, and ways to navigate this differently.Episode Links:Follow Kirsten on Instagram for more insights;Check out Kirsten's website here.Kirsten is offering one FREE 30-minute call per family. Book in your time here.

In this week's episode of the podcast, I sat down with special guest, Sarah R. Moore, who is the author of Peaceful Discipline: Story Teaching, Brain Science & Better Behavior and founder of Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting. Sarah is a certified Master Trainer in conscious parenting and a Board Member of the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, she’s also a public speaker, armchair neuroscientist, and most importantly, a Mum/Mom. With training in child development, trauma recovery, interpersonal neurobiology, improv comedy, and play, her work supports parents and caregivers around the globe.In this episode, Sarah and I discuss:Why Peaceful Discipline? Why, from a brain science perspective, do so many punishments end up failing or even backfiring;Is peaceful discipline for all kids, or just sensitive ones? What about strong-willed children?Why do we need to be parent-centric in how we approach behavior, rather than trying to modify our children's behavior? What does that look like?What about when peaceful discipline is hard for us? Do we have to parent this way ALL the time?What if parenting this way doesn't come naturally?What is story teaching? Does it work for all ages? What if I'm not creative? When do we use it?Episode Links:Purchase Sarah's book Peaceful Discipline from Booktopia here.Sarah will be offering parent support sessions soon - join her mailing list to be included and get a discount.Follow Sarah on Instagram here. 

Welcome to our final episode of 2023. We want to thank you for listening to our weekly podcast, we appreciate our podcast community so much.In this conversational-style podcast episode, I will be sharing:A quick overview of what's been happening at Natural Super Kids this year;Sharing more information about the Natural Super Kids KLUB and our incredible team;Personal and professional shares from my life; Our most popular podcast episodes that you are loving;Episode Links:Join the Natural Super Kids Klub waitlist here; Follow Natural Super Kids on Instagram here;Follow Jess's business mentoring page/practitioner support page here.

I am joined again this week by building biologist, Nicole Bijlsma. In case you missed last week’s episode, Nicole joined me to chat about creating a healthy low-tox home. You can listen to that episode here.Nicole is a building biologist based in Australia and the bestselling author of one of my favourite resource books Healthy Home Healthy Family. Nicole is also the founder of the Healthy Home (Building Biology) movement in Australia and CEO of the Australian College of Environmental Studies. In this episode, Nicole and I will be chatting about electromagnetic fields (EMFs), where we discuss:What EMFs (electromagnetic fields) are and how they impact our children;The first thing Nicole looks at in a home when it comes to where beds are positioned in the home;How Wi-Fi affects our children; How EMFs alter melatonin production;The truth about baby monitors;Ways to reduce EMF exposure include:The benefits of texting over phone calls;Turning off Wi-Fi at night via a timer;Nicole shares a little more information about her best-selling book Healthy Home Healthy Family.Episode Links:Purchase Nicole's book Healthy Home, Happy Family on Booktopia. Check out Nicole's website here. Learn from Nicole over on Instagram here. Listen to Episode 144: Creating a healthy, low-tox home with Nicole Bijlsma

This week on the Natural Super Kids podcast I am joined by building biologist, Nicole Bijlsma. Not only is Nicole a building biologist, but she is a bestselling author (Healthy Home Healthy Family), founder of the Healthy Home (Building Biology) movement in Australia, and CEO of the Australian College of Environmental Studies. In this episode Nicole and I will be talking about the impacts of toxins and chemicals in the family home. Nicole will also be joining me next week to chat about EMFs (electromagnetic fields) and their impact on our children's health.Nicole shares with us:The main toxins and chemicals that parents need to be aware of in the family home;The impact of trans-generational exposure to chemicals especially pesticides on our children;The steps you can take to reduce your toxic load in the home including the importance of not wearing shoes in the house, the reality of having a carpeted home, and why it's crucial that you invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner;The truth about our water quality, and what chemicals to be mindful of;The importance of using an air purifier in inner-city built-up areas;The four important household items to invest in to create a healthy home;Episode Links:Purchase Nicole's book Healthy Home, Happy Family on Booktopia. Check out Nicole's website here. Learn from Nicole over on Instagram here. 

Welcome to Part Two of my chat with Dr. Elisa Song. If you missed Part One, be sure to listen to that episode first - click here to listen.Dr. Elisa Song, MD is a Stanford-, NYU-, UCSF-trained integrative pediatrician, pediatric functional medicine expert, and mum to two children. In her integrative pediatric practice, Whole Family Wellness, Dr. Song's approach is to get to the root cause of pediatric health concerns and empower parents to help their children thrive by integrating conventional pediatrics with functional medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils.Today we are continuing the conversation on children's mental health:We chat further about the "microbiome mischief makers", focusing on diet and nutrition;We talk about the negative impacts processed foods have on the microbiome;The importance of being able to read food labels and ingredient lists;The impacts that sugar, artificial sugars, and pesticides have on our children's microbiome;Why fibre is vital, and how much our children should be eating daily; The alarming statistics surrounding fruit and vegetable consumption;The lifestyle factors that will improve the gut microbiome and mental health outcomes:How exercise and movement change the microbiome;The importance of proper hydration;The impacts of not getting enough sleep;Learning how to improve our vagus nerve function.Lastly, Dr. Song gives us insights into her favourite supplements and treatments to consider for children with anxiety.Episode Links:Listen to Part 1 here: Episode 142 - An Integrative Approach to Anxiety and Mental Health in Children and Teens with Dr. Elisa SongCheck out Dr. Elisa Song's website here.Follow Dr. Elisa Song on Instagram here. Download Food As Medicine for Kid's Mental Health here. 

In this podcast episode, I am thrilled to be joined by Dr. Elisa Song to discuss children's mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and the huge role of the gut microbiome when it comes to supporting our children's mental health.Dr. Elisa Song, MD is a Stanford-, NYU-, UCSF-trained integrative pediatrician, pediatric functional medicine expert, and mum to two children. In her integrative pediatric practice, Whole Family Wellness, Dr. Song's approach is to get to the root cause of pediatric health concerns and empower parents to help their children thrive by integrating conventional pediatrics with functional medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils.Dr Song and I had so much to discuss on this topic, so we have split this topic into two parts. In Part One you will learn:The alarming mental health statistics for children through to adolescence;The consequences that the pandemic had on mental health outcomes for youth;We chatted about the conventional treatment for anxiety and depression and why it's not working;Dr. Song shares her insights on the root cause or functional medicine approach to managing mental health in youth;The importance of the gut microbiome and the factors that are disrupting our kid's gut microbiome;Incredible information about the gut's nervous system and how 80-90% of the gut-brain connection stems from the gut, not the brain;We delve into the modern-day factors that are disrupting the gut microbiome, which Dr. Song refers to as the "microbiome mischief makers";How medications such as antacids, and antibiotics can disrupt the gut microbiome and the impact this has on mental health outcomes.Episode Links:Check out Dr. Elisa Song's website here. Follow Dr. Elisa Song on Instagram here. Listen to Part 2 of this conversation here.