The Journey

We speak to Dr Natasha Sriraman US board certified paediatrician, academic and mother about two subjects she is not only passionate about but where she feels some major myths need to be busted: maternal mental health and breastfeeding. This is a must listen for any new parent or parent-to-be

We chat to Rosey Davidson founder of Just Chill Baby Sleep about her unique approach to promoting better sleep from birth through to adulthood. We talk about the core foundations, common mistakes and some of the key questions she gets asked. A must listen for any parent/parent to be or anyone looking to get healthier with better sleep.

Rosie shares her brave but ultimately positive experience of giving birth to her son Rudie at just 32 weeks. She talks about what helped, what hurt and what she learnt

We speak to Dr Antoinette Falco about her challenges with an undiagnosed thyroid issue and Hashimoto’s and what she has learnt from both a professional and personal standpoint. We also discuss other modern factors that can impact our all important hormones and most importantly what you can do about it. Including the contraceptive pill and her protocol to help your hormones readjust when you decide the time is right for a baby.

On today’s Ask the Expert we speak to chartered psychologist and author Suzy Reading about the need for self care through every step of the path to parenthood. Whether it be struggling with infertility, loss, or anxiety around pregnancy and mum/dad guilt. We get really practical with this one and guess what. It doesn’t have to be huge, time consuming or expensive.

Claire Holt bravely shares with us an emotionally honest and raw account of her journey through miscarriage, anxiety, pregnancy and postnatal depression. She talks about how she felt, what she learnt and the things that helped her see the light at the end of the tunnel. The good news is she now has a gorgeous little boy called James. This is her story

This week we look at a practical way you can boost a key hormone: Melatonin to protect the all important egg quality. We then look at the science behind boosting breast milk supply (low supply being the main reason behind quitting before personal goals). Next we look at the science behind a tantrum. Believe it or not, they are a positive for brain development. We look at what goes on and how you can help. Finally - we give the download from our conversation with Professor Gideon Lack one of the leading scientists behind the new wave of thinking around food allergy prevention.

In this week’s ‘My Journey’ we talk to Vicky. Someone who really struggled with issues that many of us feel during pregnancy and postpartum but often feel guilty or ashamed to talk about. We talk about anxiety around lack of control, changing body shape, comparison to others and the ever present guilt. She talks very honestly about her feelings and experiences and the lessons she has learnt.

We speak to psychotherapist and body image specialist Holli Rubin. We tackle what it is, how it can feel and some practical ways to deal with something many of us struggle with. We also talk about what you can do to help your kids develop a positive body image right from the very start

In this week’s ‘My Journey’ we talk to Jakki Jones about being a modern woman, juggling careers, having a blended family and managing the ever-present mum guilt.

We look at the latest research around safe baby sleep which shows a very simple positive way to reduce risk. Next we look at the research suggesting male age does in fact matter. We look at why and most importantly how you can mitigate some of this. Next up is the latest research about what we can do to prevent allergies developing in young kids. Finally we look at the alarming research suggesting a link between frozen embryos and childhood cancer. We look at the detail and talk you through why you should not be alarmed by these headlines

In this week’s ‘My Journey’ we talk to Jess all about her decision to donate her eggs, how it worked, the physical and emotional experience of it and what she learnt along the way. We also learnt why she is keen to do it again.

We sit down with leading gut-brain pioneer Dr Natasha Campbell McBride to discuss how the health of our microbiome from the very first days can play a role in neurological and autoimmune disease and most importantly what we can do to give ourselves/our children the best shot at health.

We bust myths and give tips and tricks around managing that two week window between ovulation, implantation and hopefully a positive pregnancy test. Can seem like an eternity. Next: science is showing that Vitamin D is more important that we realise for every stage of the journey. We look at why and how to make sure you have enough. Supplements: we look at those that are really backed by evidence and what you should consider. Finally, research shows that meditation is powerful for every stage. Sometimes it can be hard. We share our top tricks and tips to make it easier and work for you.

Everyone has their own unique path to parenthood and experiences. There is often lots to learn. So we have decided to share some of these and first up is the lovely Lotte Jeffs. Lotte is an author, award winning journalist and former deputy editor of Elle Magazine. She lives in London with her wife and daughter and shares her own experience of having a child in a same sex couple. She also shares the lessons she has learnt and thoughts about being a working parent. Something that many of us grapple with.

Welcome to the weekly round up. The quick summary of some of the recent things we have been focusing on. This week we look at what the reproductive microbiome is, how it can cause potential issues when it is out of balance and most crucially what you can do to put it in an ideal state. Next up we look at screen time. Screens are hard to avoid these days so we turn to two of our expert advisors to talk about the positive ways to manage it. Staying on the brain we know issues with neurodevelopment are on the rise. We take to the latest research and talk about the fifteen positive things you can do to help with development. Finally keto and low carb diets are all the rage. Can there be a potential negative from a hormonal perspective as a result?

We sit down with Robert Milnes CEO of Fertility Focus makers of Ovusense to understand the latest science behind ovulation and more importantly to bust some myths. Did you know that there is no normal? Did you also know that your pattern of ovulation could even tell you things about your underlying health? We dig into this and much more.

Anxiety is inevitable around dating, fertility, conception, pregnancy, birth and early years. It’s a vulnerable time and can be challenging. We talk to leading mental health expert Emmy Brunner about the drivers and most importantly what you can do practically to get into a better place

We sit down with Laura Boscawen member of the British Acupuncture Council and graduate from the prestigious College it Integrated Chinese Medicine. Laura also has a background in Western Science so has an interesting perspective and approach. We asked her to demystify acupuncture and give us an understanding of how it can have such powerful results for hormones, fertility and stress.

Welcome to the weekly round up. The quick summary of some of the things we have been focusing on. This week we look at whether vitamin D deficiency has a role to play in the vast decline in sperm count and quality. We look at the science/what you need to know. Next up is Group B Streptococcus (GBS) something every parent to be should be aware of. We look at what it is, the risks around it and most importantly what you can do about it. Next: can intermittent fasting not only stabilise hormones but also help reduce the inevitable fertility decline? We look at what the science says, how it works and things you should consider. Finally we know that birth is unpredictable, we also know that a natural birth sets up a baby’s gut microbiome (crucial for long term health and immunity) with more diversity and less imbalance. Can you recreate this without having a natural birth? We look at one controversial technique: Vaginal Seeding, the science and the pros and cons.

We talk to mother of two and Elvie CEO Tania Boler about how modern technology and science can empower women. We discuss everything from smashing taboos, to why she picked these two areas, to being a modern mother, anxiety and everything in between

Welcome to the weekly round up. The quick summary of some of the things we have been focusing on. This week we look at ‘the five things that really matter’ for any stage of your journey. We look at what these five fundamental cornerstones are for putting you and your baby in the best possible position and some practical ways to approach it. Next up: the organ that is getting all the focus these days: the gut. From hormones to immunity to brain development and even mood. This is where the science is exploding. We look at the latest research behind this and what you need to know in order to put you and your family in the best spot when it comes to your health. Finally: hormonal imbalance in our modern times appears to be on the rise. One hormone in particular that seems to be causing trouble. For both men and women: estrogen. We take a look at why this is happening, what the effects are and most crucially how you can put yourself in the best position.

We talk to Dr Hassan Shehata all about why he thinks the traditional approach to recurrent miscarriage fails to explain the whole story. We also look at how his approach: focusing on both the male and female side, preconception as well as the all important notion of misfiring immune systems yields such astounding results. Dr Shehata goes through why his approach works and the latest data behind it.

We talk to US Paediatrician Dr Mona Amin (aka @pedsdoctalks) about what she sees more of in her clinic, why she thinks this is happening, as well as myth busting around the use of antibiotics (turns out most childhood illnesses are viral) and how she thinks we can set our kids up for long term health and robust immunity. She focuses on breastfeeding (with some practical tips and tricks) and even chats to us about the microbiome and the science behind screen time and brain development. She is also pregnant with her first child so she shares with us her own tips and tricks for a healthy pregnancy and what she does herself.

Welcome to the weekly round up. This week we look at the science behind the ‘most important molecule you’ve never heard of’: Glutathione. We look at what it is and how having more of it can help you on the path to having healthy kids. We also look at the trend towards being vegan and plant based: what do you need to consider if you’re pregnant/looking to become pregnant but also vegan/plant based. We consider the science behind how much extra protein you need, what type of protein you need and how to ensure you get enough. We also look at ingestion vs absorption: how do you ensure that the good things you’re taking into your body actually get absorbed? Finally we look at one of the science backed reason behind why sperm count has fallen so dramatically in men over the last few decades. Sleep. We are getting less of it and it is having a real impact. We look at how and more importantly what you can do about it.

Welcome to the weekly round up. This week we look at the science behind why resistance training has shown tangible benefits in particular for the common hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS (polycyclic ovarian syndrome) and also chronic inflammation which has been associated both with PCOS and endometriosis. Next, we look into the science behind Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) which is of course every new parent’s nightmare. We look at what makes one baby a higher risk than another and more crucially what some of the evidence/research and statistics suggest could help reduce risk factors. Finally we look at probiotics for use in babies who have colic or have regurgitation. The latest research recently published in the Lancet suggests that a very specific strain could potentially help treat symptoms or even reduce incidence.

Welcome to the weekly round up. This week we look at the rise in ovulation testing: from apps, to sticks to wearable tech. Does this do more harm than good? Next we get practical and take expert advice from one of the leading Lyme experts Mary Beth Pfeiffer. She talks us through the top ten things you can do to protect you/your family. Next is supplements: a highly unregulated market so you need to know what you’re doing and what to look for. We look at the top things to consider and some of our favourites. Finally the fuss around Aluminium. We look at the science around the risks and most important what you can do to put yourself in a better position.

We talk to Mary Beth Pfeiffer author of: ‘Lyme: the first epidemic of climate change’ about why this disease has seemingly exploded over the last several years and most importantly what we as parents (and people) need to know. We look at who is most vulnerable (children), when and where we are at the greatest risk, why this has become so much more common, what the issues are with treatment and diagnosis and most importantly what we can do and what we need to be aware of when it comes to protecting ourselves and our children.

We talk to one of the leading experts on Algae Catherine Arnston on all things Algae and specifically Chlorella and Spirulina. Catherine drills down into thousands of pieces of research (which she has spent ten years of her life wading through) to give us the ‘need to know’ on a subject that has become rife with misinformation. We look at what algae is, the difference between Chlorella and Spirulina, why it has been added to the list of crops backed by the United States (as early as this year), its similarity to breast milk (yep!) plus the recent controversy around claims made that Spirulina is neurotoxic. And lots more!

We talk to leading psychotherapist, author and clinical director of several international leading Clinics David Smallwood about why anxiety in our children seems to be so prevalent. We discuss everything from social media, to tribes, what makes a real ‘connection’ and the power of groups. We also discuss what makes a child more likely to struggle to cope with anxiety longer term and how as parents or parents-to-be we can deal with these challenges most effectively

We sit down with Harley Street Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Mr Mahantesh Karoshi to talk about the rise in popularity in egg freezing that he has seen in the last couple of years in particular. We look at: why, the technology and advances, chances of success (and what that looks like) as well as the process itself in detail. Plus we consider who is the ideal candidate, how to maximise your position, what should you expect and the pros and the cons.

We pick the brains of expert pre and post natal trainer Natalie Ferris on how and why exercise can both positively and negatively impact inflammation in your body - something that is crucial to maintain at a healthy level at all times but particularly if you are trying to conceive, are pregnant or have a small person. Body and mind! We look at how and why this happens and she gives practical tips and tricks for how to manage this within your own body. On top of this, she answers some of your other burning questions around exercise for this time in your life.

The last ten days has seen a bombshell study drop showing that an ingredient common in many suncreams (including those for kids) even after one application reaches levels beyond what is deemed ‘safe’ for our bodies. We look at what this is, the potential effects, and how to navigate. We also look at how this can happen and the realities of a very unregulated beauty and personal care market which allows lots of ingredients (often where we have little information as to the long term effects) to be applied to our skin. We know that as much as 70% of what we put on our skin gets absorbed and chemicals in personal care (and suncream) have been found in blood, breast milk and amniotic fluid. We look at how to choose products safely - particularly important for conception, pregnancy and early years of a child’s life. Finally we look at some of the latest research pointing to one reason why we as a society are getting more depressed. This time it is linked to what we put on and put in to our bodies. Especially important as 25% of cases of depression are now occurring before the age of 20. We look at practical ways you can avoid risks around this and how it works.

Welcome to the weekly round up from Better Babies. This week is all about what one of the leading medical research journals ‘The Lancet’ called a ‘pandemic of developmental neurotoxicity’. Basically more and more problems associated with the brain not developing as it should. There is no one definitive cause, but research is increasingly pointing to environmental risk factors. We look at what those are and focus on practical ways you can avoid and support healthy brain development, all backed by science!

Dr Anand Patel is a Harley Street doctor, an expert in male and sexual health and a committee member of the British Society of Sexual medicine. He talks to us all about man boobs, the effects of skipping leg day, why men are increasingly living less long than women and in particular why hormonal imbalance - particularly testosterone (and with it our ability to produce lots of healthy sperm) is on the rise. Most importantly he tells us what the signs are, how we can help reduce risks of imbalance and what we can do if we have a problem.

Welcome to the weekly round up from Better Babies. This week is a bumper edition starting with coffee - is it good for you? Is it bad for you?! Some very surprising results when it comes to getting pregnant and then staying pregnant. Next up it it’s infertility awareness week - of course awareness is great but being able to do something about it is even better so we look at some of the more common causes and some things you can do to potentially reduce your risks. Next up, it’s all about supplements. Here at Better Babies we are generally sceptical of this highly unregulated market, however there are some good ones out there and it is very individual, so we discuss the things to watch out for when considering a supplement and those that research actually suggest could make a positive difference. Finally - plastics and specifically BPA - bad for the planet and bad for you. However it is everywhere and is sometimes hard to spot where BPA lurks. So, here is our quick guide for things to watch for when it comes to your food and drink containers in particular.

AMH is widely seen as a great indicator of potential fertility in women, it is something that is significantly impacted by age and lifestyle - all the more relevant to know given we now on average are waiting longer to have children and also on average have more stressful and toxic lives. Today’s podcast is an interview with one of our resident experts Mahantesh Karoshi consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician and all you need to know. Everything from ‘what is the ideal level’ to ‘how do we test it’, ‘what causes it change’ and much, much more. Mr Karoshi believes this is something you should have tested regularly from age 18 and this podcast will explain why.

The recent scandal around bribes being paid to get children places in Ivy League schools has caused shock waves. Moral issues aside this has had potentially devastating effects on the children involved. It’s extreme, but does it say something sinister about the way society sees ‘success’ and the long term effect it can have on our children’s mental health? We are joined by one of our resident expert advisor’s Christophe Sauerwein psychotherapist with a specialism in developmental trauma as well as Academic Director of iCAAD to discuss all the drivers, societal pressure, perfectionism and the long term effects this can have on a developing personality. Even more importantly are some simple and practical tips as parents we can use to sense check decisions we make for our kids.

This week saw a second trial rule that the herbicide Glyphosate (one of the most prolifically used globally) contributed to a man’s cancer. This is just one example of how this may not be so safe and good for our health. Conception, pregnancy and early years is a particularly vulnerable time and there is credible research suggesting that too much exposure can increase risks around development and conception. We look some of the red flags raised by some very legitimate research (not funded by Monsanto). We also discuss what options you have (other than buying organically) to avoid too much exposure.

This is the weekly round up from Better Babies. 1) estrogen dominance and the man boob! Why it is affecting all of us and how you can avoid. 2) quick snippets from our resident expert mental health expert Christophe Sauerwein on what you can do to reduce a child’s risk of developing ADHD 3) can DHA reduce the risks around pre term birth and a child developing ADHD?

This quick and dirty ‘loo break’ episode with pre and post natal specialist trainer Natalie Ferris explains how your ability to exercise varies with your cycle and shift in hormones. It details which stage is best to focus on building strength, which stage to do cardio and what to eat when based on your hormones. Understanding this will put you in a better position to optimise your fitness and health.

The all you need to know ‘Loo Break’ version of what to think about when it comes to returning to exercise post baby with specialist pre and post natal trainer Natalie Ferris. When is it ok to start, how to start, what is safe and what to do about exercise and breastfeeding.

The quick ‘loo break’ snap shot: all you need to know about exercise in pregnancy with expert pre and post natal trainer Natalie Ferris. Why you should do it, what is safe, the dos and dont’s and how to make it work for you.

Loo Break segment: The quick down and dirty all you need to know about exercise for fertility with pre and post natal specialist trainer Natalie Ferris. What can help and what can hurt you.