Raising Healthy Mothers

In this week's episode on Raising Healthy Mothers, I'm discussing six key micronutrients I think are often problematic for mums in growing, birthing and feeding their children. When clients come to me with symptoms of fatigue, low motivation, poor sleep, low energy and difficulty losing weight, these are the topmost nutrients I have in mind.   In the episode I discuss: What micronutrients are Why...

In today's episode I'm talking to Chloe Manlay, a fellow nutritional therapist who specialises in acne and skin health, helping women transform their skin from the inside out. This was such a great episode as we talked about how our everyday lives have such a profound effect on our skin - not just nutrition but sleep, stress and our environment. I know skin is often a problematic area for mums aft...

In this week's episode on Raising Healthy Mothers, I'm talking about recovery in the first six months of motherhood. Whereas there's a lot of information on how to have a healthy pregnancy, and even how to recover and cope in the fourth trimester, I believe the healing and recovery continues well into the first 6 months, and even beyond. After the initial period of deep rest and recovery, more act...

Today on Raising Healthy Mothers I'm diving a bit deeper into one of the main things that can derail your breastfeeding journey - before it has even started. Now that I've completed my training, it seems really obvious, but it was such a lightbulb moment for me when I learn about it on the Mindful Breastfeeding Supporter Course. I'm talking about uncovering your infant story. In the episode I'll d...

Today I'm talking about the wonderful world of the breast microbiome - the role breastfeeding plays in populating the baby's gut, how the bacteria get there in the first place and how breastmilk ensures the baby's gut has the right bacteria   In the episode you'll learn: The function of breastfeeding for baby and mothers How the contents of breastmilk is set up specifically to build a healthy gut...

In today's episode I'm introducing you to the concept of mindful breastfeeding. I have recently completed my training as a mindful breastfeeding supporter and I'm really excited to begin offering antenatal breastfeeding courses soon. In the episode I discuss: The 4 pillars of mindful breastfeeding The foundation of knowledge and understanding that underpins each of those pillars How being present...

Today on Raising Healthy Mothers I'm addressing a question I'm often asked - 'What should I eat when I'm breastfeeding?' It's a really common questions pregnant and new mums ask me, not knowing that it's actually quite a complex answer.   Although a seemingly innocuous question, what underlies it is doubt in their body's ability to know how and how much milk to produce. I find this sad because it...

In today's episode I'm discussing how to optimise a plant-based diet in motherhood. This year almost half a million people signed up for Veganuary - the month where you pledge to go vegan for a month. There is an enormous growing interest in following a plant-based diet for the health of the planet or for animal welfare reasons. And this is certainly reflected in the women I see in practice, speak...

Today I welcome Angela Rake of Zing Wellness to the podcast. Angela is a Pilates teacher specialising in women's health with a particular interest in preparing for motherhood in pregnancy, postnatal recovery and pelvic floor healing.   This episode was mind-blowing to me and I picked up so many absolute gems of wisdom about physical post-natal recovery. Did you know that 1 in 3 women are walking a...

Today's episode walks you through the nutrients that will support you recovery in the first 3 weeks after giving birth. These weeks are really important in the healing process and can have a major impact on the whole motherhood journey if they are not taken slowly and gently.  Sadly the tradition of confinement and caring for the mother has become lost in the Western world, and many new parents ar...

Today is the last episode in this season - and the last of 2020! So this episode is all about me. Or more specifically - what I do. Because people are often a little bit confused about what nutritional therapy actually is. So today I'm covering: What nutritional therapy is My approach to health and nutrition, particularly my unique approach to working with mothers The 4 core systems in the body I...

Today I'm answering a question that most people don't even think to ask - because it's barely discussed as part of your standard antenatal care! Yet it could be one of the most important steps towards truly coping and ultimately flourishing as a mother. In fact, most mums I know say 'I wish someone had told me how hard it would be in the early days.' It might be impossible to truly get across what...

In today's episode, I welcome Judi Craddock, the Body Confidence Coach, onto the show. Judi helps women to stop chasing the perfect body and embrace the one they're in now. In the episode we talked about: Judi's struggle around body image and confidence, which started when she was 7 years old What body confidence means Why mums feel so much pressure to return to their pre-pregnancy body Why gettin...

In today's episode I'm discussing what to eat during labour. This is probably one of the most neglected areas when it comes to nutrition in motherhood! Back when I was pregnant with my son, my doula and hypnobirthing teacher taught me her Chewing Timeline - what to eat in each phase of labour. I've taught it on courses and to my clients ever since. It wasn't something they'd considered before and...

Today I'm talking to Ruth Watson of Ecologico UK. She helps people people live more sustainably through education, sustainable retail and responsible gifting. In this episode we discuss: How becoming a parent means entering a consumerist world with very emotive advertising and making choices you've never thought of before How parenthood is often a time when we start thinking about the impact we're...

In today's episode I discuss how the immune system changes in motherhood and explore the key ways you can support your immunity through diet and lifestyle. In motherhood, a responsive immune system is needed to ensure good physical, mental and emotional recovery throughout motherhood, especially immediately after giving birth.  In the episode I cover: The different ways the immune system responds...

Today I talk to Emma Cottam of Isabella and Us and founder of the Positive Wellbeing Magazine and Podcast. Emma wears many hats - she's a speaker, writer, editor, designer and photographer. She started her business, Isabella and Us, when her daughter was just4 weeks old and then founded the Positive Wellbeing Zine and Podcast for Mums nine months later.   We talked about: How she came to start a b...

In today's episode, I'm presenting the third in my series on Nutrition in the First 1000 Days, from conception to age 2. This is when the greatest development and growth happens for your child - but just as much as they  need to be nourished, so do you! Today I'm discussing nutrition in the third trimester and I'll cover: The growth and development your baby is going through {4:50} The key nutrien...

This week I talk to Anna Le Grange, the Mindful Breastfeeding Coach, about breastfeeding. Although I talk about mindfulness a bit, I'd never really thought about connecting it directly to breastfeeding until I came across Anna, but it makes complete sense! In this episode we discuss: What mindful breastfeeding means and how it can make the difference in the breastfeeding journey. Breastmilk as a l...

In today's episode I'm discussing one of the biggest challenges of motherhood: Sleep. Not baby's sleep, mum's sleep. Many people expect mums to be tired and exhausted in the early days, but are often rudely surprised by the fact that broken sleep continues for many more years! And as a result many mums accept their lot and resign themselves to the fact that perhaps sleep is just not for them right...

Today I welcome Laura Coleman of Be. Modern Meditation onto the podcast. Laura is a meditation expert who started meditating when her own two children were quite young and discovered the profound, life-changing effects meditation had on her and her family. In this episode we talk about: How Laura started meditating and how it caused a powerful shift in her parenting method The science of meditatio...

Welcome to the second season of Raising Healthy Mothers! Today's episode is the second in my series on Nutrition in the First 1000 Days - covering the very best you can eat in the early days of motherhood for you and your baby - from conception to two years postpartum. Today I'm talking all about the second trimester. This is usually considered the 'golden months' of your pregnancy - your skin sta...

What if we stopped seeing self-care as a special favour to ourselves, but something as necessary as food and sleep? I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the concept of self care. I think the idea behind it is great, but I hate that it puts the onus on us to do some sort of grand gesture for ourselves, when genuinely we barely have time to even just go and have a shower! So in this episode...

Today I'm discussing home births with Samantha Gadsden who is a doula based in Wales but works all over the UK virtually. We covered so much more than just home births though! We discussed: The safety of home births, transfer to hospital rates for first time mothers, and reasons for transfer The risks around births in general Alternative options for pain relief during birth What a doula is and how...

Today I talk to Sarah of South London Sling Library about babywearing and slings. We covered so much more than that though! We talked about: Why babies love to be carried so much (hint: it's in their biology, you're not doing anything wrong!) How we are designed as a species to carry our baby How wearing your baby affects your hormones Why keeping your baby close makes them feel safe Normal infant...