Sense by Meg Faure: Real Life Parenting

What does “natural” really mean when it comes to your baby’s health? In this episode of The Sense by Meg Faure, Meg chats to Michele Carelse, clinical psychologist turned entrepreneur and founder of Feelgood Health. Michele shares how a growing need for natural health alternatives in her psychology practice inspired her to develop her own remedies, eventually building a business with more than 350 products for the whole family.Together, they explore what parents should know about choosing natural products, supporting babies through common ailments and sleep challenges, and navigating the growing natural health market. Michele also opens up about the realities of motherhood and entrepreneurship, the importance of self-care and the lessons she has learnt over 25 years in business.Whether you're a parent looking for more informed ways to approach your little one's wellbeing or an aspiring entrepreneur with an idea you can't let go of, this conversation offers plenty to think about.IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARNHow Michele went from clinical psychologist to founder of a growing natural health business.Why her first remedies focused on concentration, ADHD and hyperactivity in children.What the word “natural” really means and why natural doesn't automatically mean safe or effective.What parents should consider when reading product labels and choosing natural health products for their families.Why babies need particular care when it comes to essential oils and herbal remedies.How natural remedies fit into a broader approach to baby sleep, including routines, sleep hygiene and helping babies feel safe and comfortable.What Michele's experience has taught her about juggling motherhood, family life and entrepreneurship.Why being a “good enough” parent matters more than striving for perfection.The entrepreneurial lessons of persistence, consistency, curiosity and being willing to reinvent yourself.What's next for Feelgood Health as Michele looks to expand its reach in South Africa and internationally.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome: Natural health, parenting and entrepreneurship00:42 From clinical psychologist to natural health entrepreneur04:47 Michele's first remedies for concentration and hyperactivity06:10 Growing Feelgood Health into a family-focused brand07:30 Building a business while raising children10:05 What does “natural” really mean?14:47 Choosing natural products for babies safely17:42 When natural remedies aren't enough: trusting your instincts and seeking medical advice19:23 Baby sleep: a holistic approach to settling and bedtime routines23:47 Understanding Du-Du Drops and age-specific formulations26:09 What parents should look for on product labels29:36 Lessons from 25 years of entrepreneurship32:30 What's next for Feelgood Health?34:15 Closing thoughtsABOUT THE GUESTMichele Carelse | Founder of Feelgood HealthMichele Carelse is the founder of Feelgood Health, a natural health brand that grew out of her clinical psychology experience working with patients seeking alternatives to conventional approaches.Explore Feel Good Health to discover their natural health product range and learn more about the brand. Shop now | Instagram |  FacebookABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCASTSense by Meg Faure is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based 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 with personalised support from pregnancy to five years including routines, nutrition and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off. FOLLOW USMeg Faure ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Parent Sense ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠

What if one of the most powerful things you can do for your child happens around the dinner table?In this episode of Sense by Meg, Meg Faure is joined by early childhood educator and parenting expert Sue Atkins to explore why family mealtimes matter far more than we might realise. From language development and emotional connection to building lifelong family rituals, they unpack how everyday moments around the table can help children feel that they belong.They also discuss the impact of screens on mealtimes, how to navigate resistance when changing established habits, and simple ways to make eating together more enjoyable, from toddlers to teenagers.No perfect parenting required. Just small, intentional moments that help families reconnect.IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARNWhy family mealtimes support language, listening, turn-taking, emotional expression and a sense of belonging.How to introduce shared mealtimes from an early age without creating pressure around food.What screens can take away from family meals, including conversation, connection and opportunities for children to tune into their hunger.Practical ways to make mealtimes playful, relaxed and engaging for children of different ages.How to transition away from screens at the table without turning it into a battle.Conversation starters that encourage children to share more than a one-word answer about their day.Why consistent family rituals can help you stay connected to your children, even through the teenage years.How to build better habits without guilt, perfectionism or a complete family routine overhaul.CHAPTERS00:00  Meet Sue Atkins: Parenting, Education and the Moments We Remember01:37 The Golden Moments of Childhood03:35 What Screens Take Away from Family Mealtimes05:36 When Should Children Start Eating with the Family?06:57 How Small Mealtime Rituals Become Lifelong Memories09:15 Screens at the Table: What Are Children Missing?11:51 Making Mealtimes Playful, Social and Enjoyable12:59 Practical Mealtime Ideas for Babies, Young Children and Teens15:49 Why Family Meals Matter During the Teenage Years17:09 Start Small: Why Consistency Beats Perfection18:10 How to Break the Screen-at-Mealtime Habit20:01 From Distraction to Connection: Practical Ideas That Work21:18 Conversation Starters That Get Children Talking22:51 Sue Atkins' Parenting Resources and the Digital Jungle24:35 Just One More Snake: Helping Children Navigate Screen Time27:08 Autoplay, Online Safety and Protecting Childhood29:00 Mindful Parenting Without the Guilt29:58 The Takeaway: Be a Real Parent, Not a Perfect OneABOUT THE GUESTSue Atkins is an experienced educator, headteacher and parenting expert with more than 22 years of teaching experience. Passionate about protecting childhood while helping families navigate an increasingly digital world, Sue creates practical resources that help parents turn research and good intentions into everyday action. Her work includes Navigating the Digital Jungle and Just One More Snake, her children's book addressing autoplay and the challenges of screen use.𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝘂𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀:LinkedIn | Website | Podcast: Listen to Navigating the Digital Jungle ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCASTSense 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 USMeg Faure ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠Parent Sense ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠

In this special episode of the Sense by Meg Faure, Meg takes us behind the scenes of Parent Sense. Why she created it, the problem she set out to solve, and how the business has evolved from a direct-to-parent app into a B2B2C platform reaching parents through employers, healthcare providers, insurers and other trusted partners.Joined by Tové de Chazal Gant and Ashleigh Bouguenon, Meg explores the gaps in modern parenting support, the idea of “care deserts”, why digital care can help fill the spaces between healthcare appointments, and how Parent Sense measures whether it is genuinely making a difference in parents’ lives.The team also discusses trust, engagement, preventative care, maternal mental health, employee wellness and the ambitious goal of reaching one million parents.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARNWhy Meg first created Parent Sense and the surprising conversation that prompted her to move from books into an app.What “care deserts” are and why there are huge gaps between formal healthcare touchpoints.How digital care can support parents between appointments and reach families who struggle to access traditional healthcare.Why Parent Sense shifted from a direct-to-consumer model to a B2B2C model through trusted organisations.How partnerships with medical insurers, employers, brands and other organisations can put parenting support directly into parents’ hands.Why trust and safety are fundamental to Parent Sense.Which metrics matter when measuring the impact of a parenting support platform.How engagement data can become meaningful intelligence about parent behaviour, confidence and healthcare needs.Why supporting parents is a long-term investment and why the benefits aren't always visible in a current financial year's budget.What Parent Sense hopes to achieve next, including expanding employee wellness support and reaching underserved parents globally.Meg's North Star goal of reaching one million parents.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome to a very different Sense by Meg episode00:36 Why Parent Sense needed to exist02:15 The problem Meg wanted to solve for parents03:49 What are “care deserts”?08:21 What does access for all parents really mean?09:44 From B2C to B2B2C12:24 Meet Ashleigh: Taking partnerships to the next level14:00 How partnerships multiply impact17:22 The trust circle19:24 How do you measure success?21:50 From engagement to preventative healthcare24:13 Turning data into intelligence27:52 Why isn't every organisation supporting parents?33:29 Where is Parent Sense going next?36:09 The A-team behind Parent SenseABOUT THE GUESTSTové de Chazal Gant is COO & Co-Founder of Parent Sense. She has played a key role in developing Parent Sense's B2B2C model and its partnerships with medical insurers, employers and other organisations. She is passionate about using data and preventative care to improve outcomes for parents and families.Ashleigh Bouguenon is Client, Operations & Partnerships Lead at Parent Sense. Ashleigh leads partnerships at Parent Sense, working across the business to build collaborations that benefit parents and families. She connects parents with trusted organisations, products, services and experts, while helping partners reach the families who need them most.ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCASTSense 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 USMeg Faure ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Parent Sense ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

Same mum. Same home. Same breast milk. So why did one of Dr Nellie Balfour's boys turn away from the breast within weeks, while his little brother won't let go?The answer has nothing to do with the milk, and everything to do with your baby's sensory personality.In this episode, Meg Faure catches up with paediatrician and mum of two Dr Nellie Balfour as her second baby, Uyakile, turns three months old. What unfolds is a fascinating look at feeding, development and immunity through the eyes of a doctor who is also living it at home.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARNWhy slow-to-warm-up babies often pick the bottle, and why social butterflies may prefer the breastThe ingredient in breast milk your baby can't digest at all, and why scientists now believe it matters so much for gut health and immunityThe "falling in love" milestone around three months, and the simple sign that shows it's happening Why bringing two tiny hands together is one of your baby's first calming strategies How Nellie's newborn stayed well while his big brother brought every bug home from schoolGovernment vs private vaccine schedules in South Africa: what's actually different, and does the timing change?Whether you're breastfeeding, bottle feeding or doing a bit of both, this episode will change how you see your baby's choices.Want to know your baby's sensory personality? Find out on the Parent Sense app. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off. CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome back & meeting Dr Nellie Balfour01:32 Three months with baby Uyakile02:23 Combo feeding: breast and bottle04:02 What are HMOs? Meg explains human milk oligosaccharides and their role in the baby's gut microbiome.06:43 Why Nellie chose her formula Nellie explains what caught her attention when choosing a formula 07:33 Why some babies prefer the bottle Meg explores feeding preferences through a sensory lens and compares Nellie's two babies.10:35 Baby milestones at three months Smiling, cooing, eye contact, following and bringing the hands to midline.12:29 Understanding social-emotional milestones Meg explains the developmental trajectory behind early social connection.14:48 Falling in love with your baby What happens as babies begin developing preferences for their significant people.16:22 From connection to communication Meg explains how object permanence, pointing and early social development eventually lay foundations for language.17:52 Why bringing the hands to midline matters How this movement can become an important calming and soothing strategy.19:44 Immunity, illness & vaccinations Nellie shares how her baby has managed while his older brother has been exposed to bugs at school.21:29 Government vs private vaccinations in South Africa Nellie explains the difference between the government EPI schedule and additional private vaccines.ABOUT THE GUESTDr 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 PODCASTSense 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 USMeg Faure ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Website⁠Parent Sense ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Website⁠#BabyDevelopment #BabyMilestones #Breastfeeding #ComboFeeding #BottleFeeding #BabyFeeding #BabyHealth #BabyImmunity #Vaccinations #SensoryDevelopment #NewbornBaby #ThreeMonthOldBaby #ParentingPodcast

Sam Smith returns to Sense by Meg Faure to share the next chapter of her extraordinary journey: the birth of her four babies at just over 31 weeks and their first four weeks in the NICU.Sam shares the emotional reality of her delivery, from her waters breaking in the middle of the night to a C-section involving a team of more than 20 medical professionals, followed by the weeks in the neonatal ICU.Joining Meg and Sam is Professor Welma Lubbe, a neonatal nursing expert and Parent Sense advisor, who explains how prem babies experience the world through their senses, the importance of skin-to-skin contact and how parents can support their babies as they develop.IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARNWhat happened when Sam’s waters unexpectedly broke at just over 31 weeks pregnantWhat a planned C-section for premature quads looks likeWhat to expect when their babies are admitted to the neonatal ICUWhy the period between birth and being able to hold your baby can be so emotionally difficultHow skin-to-skin contact supports bonding, breastfeeding and regulationWhat premature babies need from their sensory environmentWhy light, sound, touch, smell and temperature matter so much for prem babiesHow parents can recognise signs that their baby is becoming overwhelmedHow smell can be used to create familiarity and comfort in the NICUHow breastfeeding and expressing can work when babies are too premature to feed fully at the breastWhat parents can do to prepare prem babies for the transition from tube feeding to breast or bottle feedingWhat factors doctors consider before a premature baby is ready to go homeWhy parents' confidence and readiness are also important parts of the transition homeCHAPTERS00:00 Welcome back, Sam01:04 Meet Professor Welma Lubbe03:43 The night Sam’s waters broke05:08 Arriving at hospital and preparing for delivery07:30 The quads arrive at just over 31 weeks08:33 Inside the operating theatre: a team of more than 2013:33 The first days in the NICU15:30 The emotional experience of not being able to hold your babies18:22 Skin-to-skin, cuddles and the first breastfeeding attempts21:55 Sam’s breastfeeding and expressing journey26:18 Understanding the sensory world of premature babies27:58 Using smell to comfort and prepare babies for feeding28:28 Touch, sucking and creating a womb-like environment30:22 Learning to read your premature baby’s signals31:46 When illness enters the NICU journey35:29 The incredible NICU team behind premature babies39:01 What premature babies need before leaving hospitalABOUT THE GUESTSam SmithSam is a Cape Town-based mum mom of five including her quadruplets. She previously joined Sense by Meg to share her pregnancy journey.Follow Sam Smith on Instagram | ⁠@samsmithofcapetown⁠Professor Welma LubbeProf Welma is a professor of nursing at the North-West University and a specialist voice in the field of neonates and premature babies. She is also an advisor to the Parent Sense app in the neonatal and premature-baby space.Follow Prof Welma on LinkedIn ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCASTSense 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.Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition and expert advice. Download the Parent Sense app⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.FOLLOW USMeg Faure⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Parent Sense⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠