Sense by Meg Faure: Real Life Parenting

Welcome back to Sense by Meg Faure! 🎙️
This week, I am so delighted to welcome Nina back to the podcast. She is sharing her wonderfully honest and relatable journey of navigating life with both a busy toddler and a growing second baby.
In this episode, we dive deep into the "Social Butterfly" phase that emerges around 8 months. It is such a beautiful, busy age, but it certainly comes with its own unique set of developmental leaps and challenges!
👇 In This Episode, We Unpack:
Milestone Consolidation: We discuss why how your baby crawls (reciprocal crawling) actually matters so much more than how quickly they reach the milestone.
Separation Anxiety: It is completely normal for little ones to become clingy at this age! We talk about how to gently handle the transition to object permanence using simple, playful methods like "Hide and Seek."
The Screen Time Juggle: Real talk on navigating indirect screen exposure from older siblings, and why fostering self-regulation in your little ones is so important.
Social Development & Communication: How to decode those adorable sounds and differentiate between lovely babbling and purposeful first words.
📚 Episode References and Links:
Books: Feeding Sense and Weaning Sense by Kath Megaw and Meg Faure.
Toy Recommendation: The Toniebox (A wonderful screen-free audio player for busy toddlers!).
📱 Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for expert routines, nutrition guidance, and developmental tracking. [Download the Parent Sense App Here]
🌐 Connect with Meg Faure:
Website: megfaure.com
Facebook: Meg Faure Sense
Instagram: @megfaure.sense
❤️ Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Leaving a 5-star rating and a quick review truly helps other parents find our community!
For guest nominations or feedback, please email us at [email protected].

This week on Sense by Meg Faure, we're cutting through the noise of social media to bring you clear, evidence-based answers to your most common parenting questions. Meg is joined by Specialist Pediatrician, Dr. Nellie Balfour, for a myth-busting conversation that will leave you feeling calm and confident.
In this must-listen episode, Dr. Nellie tackles the myths that keep parents up at night:
Fevers are NOT the Enemy: Learn why a fever is a healthy immune response, the real signs to watch for (dehydration, fever over 3 days), and why the goal is comfort, not just a number on the thermometer.
The Truth About Green Snot: Does green mucus automatically mean a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics? Dr. Nellie debunks this common myth and explains what it really signifies.
Decoding Teething: Can teething cause a high fever, vomiting, or diarrhea? We separate teething facts from fiction and discuss when you should suspect an underlying illness.
Sleep & Bonding Myths: Dr. Nellie reassures parents that holding your baby to sleep will not spoil them and explains why an overtired baby sleeps worse, not better.
How to Find Credible Advice: In a world of "mom-shaming" and conflicting information, Dr. Nellie provides a practical checklist for evaluating online advice and learning to trust your gut.
This episode is your dose of evidence-based calm in a world of parenting chaos.
About Our Guest:
Dr. Nellie Balfour is a mom and Specialist Pediatrician with a focus on neonates, newborns, and early childhood development. Originally from South Africa, she now practices in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Nellie is passionate about empowering parents with credible, evidence-based information so they can make the best decisions for their children. You can find her and her popular Q&A sessions on Instagram at @drnelliepaeds
Episode References and Links:
📱 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.
CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE
Web: megfaure.com
Social Media Channels: Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/MegFaure.Sense Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/
I hope you enjoyed this episode of SENSE BY Meg Faure! If you want to support or follow the podcast, here’s how:
Subscribe, or listen on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts
Leave a 5* rating and review on Apple Podcasts
Follow my social media channels or sign up to my mailing list
For episode feedback & suggestions, or to nominate yourself or a friend to appear as a guest on the show, please email [email protected]

This week on Sense by Meg Faure, we check in with our favorite twin mamas, Zoe Brown and Tasha Perreard, for an honest look at the wild ride of 8 months. Zoe's boys, Luke and Jordan, have officially entered the "tumbleweed stage," bringing new milestones like teething and big changes to sleep and sensory needs.
Key discussion points include:
Teething & Sensory Profiles: Jordan has two teeth and sailed through it, while Luke is feeling all the drama. Meg explains how a baby's sensory profile (sensitive vs. high threshold) directly impacts their experience with teething.
The 8-Month Sleep Regression: Luke is waking frequently again. Tasha discusses the "perfect storm" at this age, including separation anxiety and the need for comfort feeds, while Meg provides a checklist for troubleshooting (Health, Nutrition, Separation Anxiety, and Naps).
Iron & Your Baby's Sleep: Learn why iron stores deplete after six months and how low iron can be a hidden cause of night wakings. We discuss iron-rich foods and when a supplement might be necessary.
Navigating Different Schedules: Zoe asks the ultimate twin question: "What do I do when my twins have different sleep needs?" Tasha offers practical, sanity-saving advice on whether to wake one twin to keep them on the same schedule.
This episode is packed with real talk, expert advice, and heartwarming encouragement for any parent navigating this mobile and exciting stage.
About Our Guests:
Zoe Brown: A well-known media personality and new mother to 8-month-old twin boys, Jordan and Luke. She shares her real-time experiences and questions on her parenting journey as a regular guest on the podcast.
Tasha Perreard: A neonatal nurse and twin specialist based in Cape Town. As a twin mom herself, Tasha provides expert insights and practical advice for parents of multiples. You can find her practice, The Well Mother and Child Clinic, on Instagram @wmc_clinic.
Episode References and Links:
Book: Weaning Sense by Meg Faure and Kath Megaw
Supplements Mentioned: SiderAL, Ferimed, Floradix Liquid Iron
📱 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.
CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE
Web: megfaure.com
Social Media Channels: Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/MegFaure.Sense Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/
Parent Sense mobile app:
Download Parent Sense App Web: https://parentsense.app/

This week on Sense by Meg Faure, we kick off Season 8 with a special episode dedicated to the very first chapter of motherhood: pregnancy. This is not a conversation about perfection, but a reassuring guide to understanding the profound, miraculous, and sometimes messy journey of growing a new life. Meg explores the science behind early pregnancy, the incredible changes happening in your body, and how to let go of the guilt that so often accompanies this new beginning.
Key discussion points include:
The Ripple Effect: Discover how your physical health, emotional state, stress, and nutrition create ripples that influence your baby’s development from the very start.
Genes vs. Nurture: Learn how your baby's genetic blueprint is shaped by nurture and the powerful force of epigenetics, even before you know you're pregnant.
Your Miraculous Body: Awe-inspiring insights into the physiological changes in your body, from growing a whole new organ (the placenta!) to the hormonal shifts that can make you feel like a stranger to yourself.
The Womb World: A journey back into the perfectly designed sensory sanctuary of the womb, explaining why "less is more" when it comes to stimulating your baby before birth.
Letting Go of Guilt: Meg answers a common and anxious question from pregnant moms: "I didn't know I was pregnant and I drank alcohol/missed folic acid—have I harmed my baby?" This segment offers crucial perspective and reassurance.
This episode is a deep exhale for any expectant mother feeling overwhelmed or worried, and a beautiful reminder that pregnancy is not a test to be passed, but a miraculous beginning.
About Our Host:
Meg Faure is an occupational therapist, author of the 'Sense' series of parenting books (including Pregnancy Sense), and the founder of the Parent Sense app. With decades of experience working with parents and babies, her mission is to bring calm, clarity, and confidence to the parenting journey.
Episode References and Links:
Book: Pregnancy Sense by Meg Faure
Previous Episode: The Sensory World of the Newborn (Season 8, Episode [Number])
📱 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.
CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE
Web: megfaure.com
Social Media Channels: Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/MegFaure.Sense Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/
Parent Sense mobile app:
Download Parent Sense App Web: https://parentsense.app/
I hope you enjoyed this episode of SENSE BY Meg Faure! If you want to support or follow the podcast, here’s how:
Subscribe, or listen on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts
Leave a 5* rating and review on Apple Podcasts
Follow my social media channels or sign up to my mailing list
For episode feedback & suggestions, or to nominate yourself or a friend to appear as a guest on the show, please email [email protected]

This week on Sense by Meg Faure, we explore how to find calm in the chaos of parenting. Meg is joined by Dr. Sandy Zanella, a lifestyle medicine physician and mindfulness coach, for a deeply practical and soothing conversation. Dr. Zanella shares simple, actionable tools to help parents move from a state of stress and reactivity to one of presence and connection.
Key discussion points include:
What is Mindfulness?: A simple explanation of being in the present moment without judgment, and how it applies to the realities of parenting.
From Red Brain to Green Brain: Learn the science behind toddler tantrums (and our own reactive moments!) and a practical technique to calm your nervous system before you react.
"Sprinkling Mindfulness": Discover how to integrate mindfulness into your day in just 2-5 minutes, without adding another chore to your list.
The 5 Senses Game: A powerful, playful grounding exercise to help calm anxious children, especially during moments of separation anxiety.
Putting Your Phone Down: A crucial discussion on how parental screen time steals moments of connection and what you can do to reclaim that presence.
This episode is full of light bulb moments and calming strategies to help you show up with more connection and less chaos.
About Our Guest:
Dr. Sandy Zanella is a lifestyle medicine physician, mindfulness coach, and yoga teacher. She is passionate about helping mothers and children integrate mindfulness into their daily lives to reduce stress and enhance connection. Through her "sprinkling mindfulness" approach, she provides bite-sized, practical tools for busy families. Her 10-year-old daughter, Stella, is a certified kids' yoga teacher and runs the "Happy Minds Lab" YouTube channel. You can find Dr. Zanella on Instagram at @mymindfulmomlife.
Corrected Episode References and Links:
Dr. Sandy's Instagram: @mymindfulmomlife
Kids' YouTube Channel: Happy Minds Lab
Mentioned Apps: Calm, Insight Timer, Glorify
📱 Parent Sense App – Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here.

CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE
Web: megfaure.com Social Media Channels:
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/MegFaure.Sense
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/
Parent Sense mobile app:
Download Parent Sense App Web: https://parentsense.app/
I hope you enjoyed this episode of SENSE BY Meg Faure! If you want to support or follow the podcast, here’s how:
Subscribe, or listen on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts
Leave a 5* rating and review on Apple Podcasts
Follow my social media channels or sign up to my mailing list
For episode feedback & suggestions, or to nominate yourself or a friend to appear as a guest on the show, please email [email protected]