Family Health by Mini First Aid

Febrile seizures can be one of the most frightening things a parent witnesses, yet they’re surprisingly common, affecting 1 in 20 children. In this episode, Kate is joined by NHS paediatrician Dr Lillie Parker to explain what febrile seizures are, why they happen, and how to respond calmly and confidently if your child has one. Reassuring, informative, and essential listening for parents, grandpar...

If you’ve ever found yourself pacing the floor at 3am, rocking a baby who refuses to sleep or sharing your bed with a wriggly five-year-old, you are not alone! In this episode of Family Health by Mini First Aid , Kate chats to Jenna Wilson, co-founder of Little Dreams Consulting and expert in baby and child sleep. Jenna shares practical, no-nonsense advice on everything from newborn sleep patterns...

In this episode, Kate chats to fitness expert and winner of The Apprentice 2024, Rachel Woolford. Together they unpack the do’s and don’ts of exercising during pregnancy and after giving birth. Whether you're newly pregnant, navigating postpartum recovery, or supporting someone who is, this episode is filled with down-to-earth advice and reassurance.  From finding the right kind of movement,...

In this episode of Family Health by Mini First Aid , we’re joined by Adelle Fishlock, Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon at Leeds Children’s Hospital and familiar face from the BBC series Saving Lives in Leeds . Adelle gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens when a child is brought into hospital with a suspected broken bone. From playground falls to complex surgery, she exp...

Many parents don't realise children's eye tests aren't routinely included in standard development checks. It's a postcode lottery and the onus often falls on parents to make sure their children's eye health isn't overlooked. In this, we speak to Senior Optometrist Dr Nigel Best from Specsavers, who shares expert insights on children's vision, including: ✔️ When t...

How do you raise an adventurous eater and stay sane doing it? In this episode, we’re joined by nutritional consultant Melanie Hadida to talk all things family food. From baby-led weaning to batch cooking and supermarket meltdowns, Melanie shares her personal journey, including feeding newborn twins during lockdown, and her top tips for creating positive food experiences at home. We cover: Practica...

Bumps, knocks and tumbles are all part of childhood. But head injuries can feel scary, especially if you’re not sure what to look out for.  In this episode, Kate is joined by Dr Lillie Parker to chat all things head bumps – how to spot a serious injury, what to do in those first few minutes, and how to keep kids safe as they explore the world around them. References: Dr. Lillie Parker is an NHS pa...

Food allergies in children have doubled in the last 10 years. In our latest episode, Kate is joined by Dr Helen Evans-Howells, GP and allergy specialist, to tackle the myths and fears around allergies and anaphylaxis.  From weaning worries to understanding when to use an auto-injector, Helen shares her expert advice and her personal experience as a parent navigating allergies.  A must-listen for a...

When Anna’s little girl, Cleo, developed a high temperature, she did what so many of us would do - Calpol, cuddles, and wait and see. But what unfolded was every parent’s worst nightmare. Cleo had sepsis. In this episode of the Family Health podcast, Anna bravely shares their story of missed signs, gut instinct, and the terrifying rollercoaster that followed.  She opens up about how she and her hu...

Is your child’s worry just a wobble – or something more? In this week’s Family Health podcast, Kate chats with youth solution-focused therapist Lisa Blackwell from The Youth Fairy to explore the sharp rise in anxiety among children.  From the early signs to look out for, to understanding what’s happening in your child’s brain, Lisa shares practical tools and everyday tips that can make a real diff...

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 aw...

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 paediatr...

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...

We know from talking to new parents at our classes that meningitis is one of their biggest health fears for their baby and this is because sadly babies under the age of 3 months are 70 times more likely to get bacterial meningitis than adults. In this episode of the Family Health Podcast, we speak with Caroline Hughes, Support Services Manager at Meningitis Research Foundation and to Pip, an NHS m...

In this episode of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid, we dive into the all-too-familiar feeling of imposter syndrome with Jamie Shires, an experienced counsellor and mental health trainer.  Whether you’re a parent, a professional, or even a teenager, this episode will help you understand where imposter syndrome comes from, who it affects and why it happens. Jaimie also shares practical t...

In this episode, we chat with Aliya Porter, a Registered Nutritionist and a mum of three who runs Porter Nutrition and Weaning Centre. Aliya is a mine of information about nutrition in pregnancy and how you can look after your own and consequently your baby’s health. We cut through the confusion of advice and guidance online to find out exactly what supplements, nutrients and vitamins are importan...

If you are unfortunate enough to have a child who has had to spend time in hospital, you may have met a Play Therapist. These amazing teams therapeutically support children, and parents, through the toughest times in their lives. We hope you will never have to experience your child having treatment or an extended stay in hospital but if the worst happens, knowing what a play therapist can do and w...

Many of us won’t have heard of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), yet this affects around two children in every classroom in schools across the UK and can affect literacy, learning, friendships and emotional well-being. DLD can mean a child has difficulties talking and/or understanding language. It’s important to understand DLD and the challenges that children with DLD face every day in and ou...

How do you know when your child has a cold or the flu or something even more serious? Children regularly pick up coughs and viruses and it can be tricky to understand when to worry, how to soothe symptoms and when to keep your child at home - this week’s episode has the answers! We chatted to Dr Lillie Parker, an NHS paediatrician, about winter colds and flu and about the RSV virus which can cause...

In this episode, Kate chats with Cathy Tabner, Parent Education Midwife at My Expert Midwife who has helped and advised hundreds of women about breastfeeding and knows all there is to know about anaemia and mastitis.  If you, or your loved one, has ever suffered from mastitis and/or anaemia, you will know how painful and awful it can make you feel. Cathy explains what these conditions are, why the...

Weaning is a huge milestone for babies as they move from a liquid, milk diet to eating solid foods. We know that breast and formula milk contain everything baby needs to grow and thrive, but when that milk consumption drops and food takes over, what nutrients do children or little ones need and how can we make sure that they're going to get enough of them? Today we chat with Aliya Porter, a R...

In today's Family Health Podcast episode, we delve into the complex landscape of dementia, a condition that not only affects individuals directly but also ripples through the lives of their loved ones.  We chat with Dr Abhi Inglis, a Specialty Doctor in Old Age Psychiatry who explains what dementia is, some of the more common early signs and symptoms and how we can best help our loved one. We...

In today’s digital society, children are bombarded with images of supposed perfection. According to recent statistics from the NHS, the struggle with body image and food among young people has surged alarmingly in recent years, with children as young as six years old being diagnosed with an eating disorder. Behind these numbers lie stories of silent battles, where young minds grapple with complex...

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 you...

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. W...