Our Dragons’ Den mentor Sara Davies MBE had gestational diabetes in both of her pregnancies and talks to us today about the guilt she felt when first diagnosed and what she has since learned about this condition that affects around 5% of pregnant women in the UK. We are also joined by Cathy Tabner of My Expert Midwife whose knowledge of gestational diabetes, and more widely about pregnancy and your body when you are pregnant, is unsurpassed! This conversation covers mum guilt, pregnancy hormo...
In the UK, approximately 1 in every 100 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This number is probably lower than the reality as many families don’t want or think they need an official diagnosis. Behind these numbers lie stories of resilience, uniqueness, and often, misunderstanding. In this episode of the Family Health Podcast, we delve into the world of autism in children. We chat with Dr Hannah Hobson, a lecturer in psychology and lead of the EMERALD research la...
If your child takes part in any kind of sport or leisure activity, you will know how much of their time outside of school is dedicated to these activities and how this impacts their diet, from the lack of time to sit and eat proper meals to the type and amount of food they eat. It is hard enough as parents to know what nutrients and vitamins our tweens and teens need and how much to feed them; adding in a fussy eater or a training schedule that requires particular energy sources at particul...
What are the laws around baby & child car seats? When should you switch to a forward-facing seat? When can your child sit up front with you? We might think we know the answers to these questions but this Family Health Podcast episode is here to dispel any doubts and give you the straight-up facts about car seat safety for your little ones. In this episode, we chat with Luisa Rollins-Svenson, Consumer and Trade Marketing Manager at Graco UK who has a wealth of knowledge about car seat ru...
Having asthma may once have been seen as a weakness or something to be pitied for, but is this still the case? What do we now know about the causes and treatment of asthma? Is there still some level of embarrassment for children living with asthma today? Asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in children in the UK, affecting around 1 in 11 young people. Chances are there is at least one person in your child’s school or nursery class living with asthma. In fact, the UK has som...
In 2019 Adele Hughes world was turned upside down when she received a melanoma diagnosis. Telling her children and her parents that she had skin cancer was just the start of her journey, which continued with immunotherapy treatment and becoming an Ambassador for Melanoma UK. In today’s episode, Adele tells her story, from her lifestyle before diagnosis to her treatment and beyond. You will hear about the risk factors for skin cancer, what signs and symptoms to look out for and what you can ...
Is it normal to suffer with anxiety when you become a parent? Why do we feel anxious as our children reach particular milestones? What is ‘normal’ anxiety and when should we worry that it has become something more? These questions and more are answered in today’s Family Health Podcast episode in which Kate chats with Jaimie Shires, a Counsellor, Self-Development Mentor and Mental Health Educator. Jaimie talks to us about why we get anxious, how we can talk to our childre...
Show Notes: A 2015 survey showed that nearly a quarter of childcare professionals have seen signs that children aged between 3 and 5 years old, in their care, are unhappy with their appearance or bodies. This is just one of the staggering and upsetting statistics that we hear about in this episode of the Family Health Podcast with Molly Forbes of Body Happy Org. Why do our children feel this way, what can we do to support them, how can we drive change in our schools, institutions and...
Show Notes: If your child has to have an operation in hospital, it’s likely that they will be anaesthetised pre-surgery, which can be a pretty scary experience for both them and for you as a parent or carer. This episode of the Family Health Podcast is here to arm you with knowledge and allay some of those fears about what happens if your child needs to go under general anaesthetic. We chat with Ed Rothera, a consultant paediatric anaesthetist at the Leeds Children's hospital, who e...
Episode 18: Understanding Endometriosis Show Notes: Around 1.5 million women in the UK are currently living with Endometriosis, a condition that can be incredibly debilitating and sadly still lacks awareness. If you suffer with endometriosis, or know someone who does, you will know how important this conversation is. In this episode of the Family Health Podcast, we hear from Charlotte who has suffered with Endometriosis since her very first period at the age of 13. We talk about t...
Episode 17: Managing Overwhelm Show Notes: Parents - particularly mums - this episode of the Family Health Podcast will really strike a chord. Today we chat with Kate, an occupational health therapist, about overwhelm and burnout. If you feel this way and need a virtual hug and to feel completely seen, don’t miss this. This conversation shines a light on all we do in our daily lives and the things that have a negative impact on our emotional energy. Kate explains the scientific...
Episode 16: Understanding Children’s Burns Show Notes: At just 15-months old, Michelle’s son Charlie pulled a pan of boiling water over himself at their family home and sustained burns to 10% of his body. This episode tells the story of Charlie’s accident, treatment and recovery. You will hear details of Charlie’s burns injuries and of his mum Michelle’s guilt because of the accident. You will also hear from Sue from Children’s Burns Trust who talks about what happens if your child...
“Women are literally standing on the sidelines of their own lives” Dragging. Bulging. Heaviness. Sciatica. Groin pain. Hip pain. Trouble going to the toilet, as well as trouble holding it in. All these are signs of a problem with your pelvic floor health. In fact, a whopping 50% of women report pelvic health concerns, with many more suffering in silence. This week, Kate talks to Claire Sparrow, an expert in this field. Claire tells a story of hope and inspiration, and encourages wome...
Show Notes: Trigger warning: this week’s podcast discusses the death of a child. We talk about sepsis a lot at Mini First Aid and this week’s episode demonstrates exactly why we feel this is so important. This week, Kate chats with Melissa Mead, Sepsis Trust Ambassador and we hear the story of Melissa’s little boy William, who tragically died of sepsis. Melissa discusses what happened to her little boy in detail, to make absolutely sure that no parent listening has to face t...
Show Notes: “It is not uncommon for under 5’s to have their full set of teeth removed”. This is the unbelievable truth we hear in this week’s podcast from Marisa Russell, Mini First Aid trainer and dental nurse. In this episode, Kate talks to Marisa Russell about oral and dental health. Marisa talks us through why children’s teeth can be so prone to decay and surprisingly, it’s not just about what they eat and how often they brush. It’s Mouth Cancer Action Month, so this is ...
You have probably heard of Diabetes and that there are different forms of this condition such as Type 1 and Type 2 among others, but do you understand the differences and know what signs to look out for? Are you confident that you would know if you or your child had developed diabetes? Diabetes UK estimates that almost 850,000 people in the UK are living with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes. If added to the 4.3 million diagnosed cases, that’s over 5 million people in the UK living with some for...
In this episode, Kate chats with Katrina Phillips, CEO of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, and Hollie Phillips (no relation!) who is Mum to Ralphie, a healthy, happy toddler who swallowed a button battery on his first birthday. Hear the story of what happened to Ralphie and how his mum’s tenacity saved his life. Learn more about why these batteries are so dangerous, how to spot the signs that your child might have swallowed a button battery, and what to do if you suspect the worst. Refere...
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, affecting 1 in 7 women in their lifetime. Yet, many people still believe it’s a disease that only affects older women. The reality? 2,500 people under 40 are diagnosed every year. In this episode of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid, host Kate Ball speaks with Paralympic champion Erin Kennedy OBE and Emma Walker from the breast cancer awareness charity Coppafeel! Erin shares her powerful story of discovering a lump at just 29, her j...
Chickenpox is one of the most common childhood illnesses, yet when those first spots appear, many parents find themselves filled with questions. How can you tell if it’s really chickenpox? How do you manage the relentless itching? And at what point should you seek medical help? In this episode of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid, host Kate Ball is joined by Dr. Lillie Parker, a paediatrician with over a decade of experience, to provide expert guidance on chickenpox. Together, they ...
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is often a hidden condition—one that many children and teenagers struggle with in silence. While they may appear outwardly fine, internally, they experience intense distress over perceived flaws in their appearance. What may seem like common self-consciousness can, in reality, be a deeply debilitating mental health disorder. Unfortunately, BDD often goes unrecognised for years, leaving young people feeling isolated and unsupported. In this episode of the Family ...