Sense by Meg Faure: Real Life Parenting
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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.
Afleveringen
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How Parent Sense Is Building aiah, a Safer, Smarter AI Parenting Companion S9 | E235
5 november 2026 · 34 min
What happens when decades of parenting expertise meet artificial intelligence? In this episode, Meg Faure and Tove de Chazal Gant are joined by Bertha Kgokong to take us behind the scenes of aiah, Parent Sense's AI parenting companion. Lees meer
They unpack how the idea began, why generic AI tools aren't enough when it comes to parenting advice and how the team is building a more reliable, expert-led solution using a carefully curated knowledge base and rigorous testing.
From supporting parents at 2 am to making trusted guidance more accessible to families who might otherwise go without it, this is a conversation about the possibilities, and responsibilities, of AI in parenting.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:
How the idea for aiah began, long before ChatGPT became mainstream.
Why generic AI tools can be unreliable when answering parenting and health-related questions.
How aiah draws on a curated library of trusted parenting resources rather than the unrestricted internet.
What Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) means, and how it helps AI provide more grounded answers.
Why aiah is designed to say “I don't know” when it cannot find a reliable answer.
How the team tests and evaluates aiah's responses against Meg's expert knowledge.
How AWS Bedrock provides an enclosed environment for the AI system.
How AI could make trusted parenting support more accessible, particularly for underserved and isolated parents.
What the future of personalised AI parenting support could look like.
Why human expertise and robust safeguards remain essential as AI becomes part of family life.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introducing aiah and the story behind its development
02:00 Where the idea for an AI parenting companion began
05:00 Why generic ChatGPT wasn't enough for parenting advice
08:00 Building a trusted, curated knowledge base
11:00 What is Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)?
14:00 Why aiah needs to know when it doesn't know
17:00 Testing, evaluating and refining aiah's answers
2…
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Emotional Regulation in Children: Tantrums, Self-Soothing, Play & Gentle Parenting S9 | Ep234
29 oktober 2026 · 43 min
How do children learn to manage big emotions, and what can parents do to help? Lees meer
In this episode of The Sense by Meg podcast, Meg Faure speaks with Kelli McDermott, a clinical social worker specialising in infant and early childhood mental health from Georgetown University, about how emotional regulation develops from infancy through the toddler years.
They explore why babies need responsive caregiving, how co-regulation lays the foundation for self-regulation, and why play, language and connection are essential to helping children manage their feelings.
Discover why your child doesn't need to manage every big feeling alone, how to respond when emotions run high and why reconnecting after a tantrum can be more powerful than punishment.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
What emotional regulation really means: How it goes beyond being calm to managing energy, feelings and responses
Co-regulation before self-regulation: Why children learn to regulate their emotions through safe, supportive relationships
Why meeting your baby's needs matters: How responsive caregiving in early childhood builds the foundations for independence.
Why your toddler can do something one day and struggle the next: How temperament, sleep, hunger, frustration and developmental demands affect a child's ability to regulate.
Self-soothing and baby sleep: How to think about sleep through the lens of regulation.
The role of play and language: How stories, songs, play and naming feelings help children practise emotional skills.
Gentle parenting versus permissive parenting: Why empathy and connection can coexist with firm, appropriate boundaries.
How to respond to toddler tantrums: Why connection comes before teaching, and how to help your child feel safe enough to reconnect after a difficult moment.
When your child needs space: How to stay emotionally available without overwhelming a child who needs time to calm down.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introducing Kelli McDermott and the importance of emotional …
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Natural Remedies for Babies: What Parents Need to Know S9 | Ep 233
22 oktober 2026 · 37 min
What does “natural” really mean when it comes to your baby’s health? Lees meer
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 LEARN
How 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 ex…
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The Magic of Family Mealtimes: Raising Connected Kids in a Screen-Filled World S9 | E232
15 oktober 2026 · 34 min
What if one of the most powerful things you can do for your child happens around the dinner table? Lees meer
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 LEARN
Why 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.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Meet Sue Atkins: Parenting, Education and the Moments We Remember
01:37 The Golden Moments of Childhood
03:35 What Screens Take Away from Family Mealtimes
05:36 When Should Children Start Eating with the Family?
06:57 How Small Mealtime Rituals Become Lifelong Memories
09:15 Screens at the Table: What Are Children Missing?
11:51 Making Mealtimes Playful, Soc…
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Inside Parent Sense: From a Baby App to a Global Parenting Support Platform S9 | Ep231
8 oktober 2026 · 38 min
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. Lees meer
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 LEARN
Why 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.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome to …
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Breast or Bottle: Why Your Baby’s Sensory Personality May Decide with Dr Nellie Balfour S9 | Ep230
1 oktober 2026 · 30 min
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? Lees meer
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 LEARN
Why slow-to-warm-up babies often pick the bottle, and why social butterflies may prefer the breast
The ingredient in breast milk your baby can't digest at all, and why scientists now believe it matters so much for gut health and immunity
The "falling in love" milestone around three months, and the simple sign that shows it's happeningWhy 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 school
Government 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.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome back & meeting Dr Nellie Balfour
01:32 Three months with baby Uyakile
02:23 Combo feeding: breast and bottle
04:02 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 con…
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What It’s Like to Give Birth to Quadruplets + the First Weeks in the NICU
24 september 2026 · 42 min
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. Lees meer
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 LEARN
What happened when Sam’s waters unexpectedly broke at just over 31 weeks pregnant
What a planned C-section for premature quads looks like
What to expect when their babies are admitted to the neonatal ICU
Why the period between birth and being able to hold your baby can be so emotionally difficult
How skin-to-skin contact supports bonding, breastfeeding and regulation
What premature babies need from their sensory environment
Why light, sound, touch, smell and temperature matter so much for prem babies
How parents can recognise signs that their baby is becoming overwhelmed
How smell can be used to create familiarity and comfort in the NICU
How breastfeeding and expressing can work when babies are too premature to feed fully at the breast
What parents can do to prepare prem babies for the transition from tube feeding to breast or bottle feeding
What factors doctors consider before a premature baby is ready to go home
Why parents' confidence and readiness are also important parts of the transition home
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome back, Sam
01:04 Meet Professor Welma Lubbe
03:43 The night Sam’s waters broke
05:08 Arriving at hospital and preparing for delivery
07:30 The quads arrive at just over 31 weeks
08:33 Inside the operating theatre: a team of more than 20
13:…
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Why Crawling Is The “Superfood” of Baby Development S9 | Ep228
17 september 2026 · 31 min
Crawling is about so much more than getting your baby from A to B. In this episode of Sense by Meg Faure, Meg and Parent Sense COO Tové de Chazal Gant dive into why crawling is such an important developmental milestone and why parents shouldn’t be too quick to rush their baby towards walking. Lees meer
Meg explains how crawling supports muscle tone, vestibular and proprioceptive development, bilateral coordination, fine motor skills, spatial awareness and problem-solving. They also explore how your baby’s sensory personality can influence when and how they crawl, what parents can do to encourage crawling, and what it means if a baby skips crawling altogether.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN
Why crawling is considered a developmental “superfood”
Why the sequence of sitting → crawling → walking matters
When babies typically start crawling
How crawling supports muscle tone, sensory development and coordination
How your baby’s sensory personality can influence crawling
How tummy time prepares babies for crawling
What to do if your baby skips crawling
What parents should know about baby walkers, walking rings and jumpers
How crawling may support later fine motor, spatial and problem-solving skills
Simple ways to encourage your baby to crawl through everyday play
CHAPTERS
00:00 Why is crawling a developmental “superfood”? Meg explains why crawling is much more than a milestone in itself and why so many later developmental skills are built on it.
02:18 Why crawling can be harder than sitting Why crawling is a complex developmental skill
03:42 Why parents shouldn’t rush towards walking Meg explains why crawling deserves more time and attention before your baby gets upright.
06:13 When should babies start crawling? The typical range for crawling and why the sequence of milestones may be more important than the exact age.
07:47 Crawling, the vestibular system and muscle tone How movement stimulates the vestibular system and contributes to the muscle tone babies need to …
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Have we been asking the wrong questions about screen time all along? S9 | Ep227
10 september 2026 · 42 min
Technology is everywhere in family life, but does that mean it has to be all-or-nothing? Lees meer
In this episode, Meg speaks to Rachel Barr, researcher at Georgetown University, about what 25 years of research tells us about young children, technology and learning. They unpack why not all technology is created equal, the impact of technoference on parent-child connection, how algorithms are designed to keep us watching and why some screen experiences can be more supportive of learning than others.
Rachel also shares practical ways parents can use technology more intentionally, from creating family media plans and finding natural “off-ramps” to using joint media engagement to support language and learning.
Most importantly, this conversation moves away from rigid rules and parenting guilt towards something more realistic: making a plan that works for your family and revisiting it as your family changes.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
Why not all technology is created equal
What technoference is and how phones, notifications and background TV can interrupt parent-child interactions
How background television can disrupt children's play, even when they aren't actively watching it
What an “off-ramp” is and why natural stopping points can make transitions easier
Whether using screens to calm a child can affect their developing self-regulation skills
How to create a flexible family media plan
What joint media engagement is and why parental involvement can make such a difference
What to look for when choosing content for young children
Rachel's one guiding principle for technology during the first 1 000 days: make a plan and revisit it
CHAPTERS
02:59 Is all technology created equal?
05:28 What is technoference?
07:18 How phones and background TV can disrupt play
13:10 Designing technology with an “off-ramp”
15:04 Screens, tantrums and using technology to calm children
19:47 Do tech detoxes actually work?
20:35 Creating a family media plan
24:20 Moving beyond ri…
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BABY POO 101: What's normal, what's not & when to worry. S9 | Ep 226
3 september 2026 · 34 min
Let’s talk about the topic every new parent becomes obsessed with: poo. Lees meer
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, wh…
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- Categorieën
- Kinderen , Gezin , Opvoeding
- Status
- Loopt nog
- Verschijnt
- Elke week
- Lengte
- Meestal 35 min
- Afleveringen
- 236
- Laatste aflevering
- 5 november 2026
- Eerste aflevering
- 24 november 2021
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- Engels