Next of Kin The Podcast

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How to Not Hate Your Husband After Having a Baby with Dr Ola Pykhtina
We love our husbands… obviously 😂 But becoming parents can completely change the dynamic of a relationship.
This week I’m joined by psychologist Dr Ola Pykhtina from The Wellness Hub in Dubai to talk about the side of postpartum relationships that we probably don’t speak about enough.
We chat about the mental load of motherhood, resentment, postpartum rage, communication after having a baby, intimacy, why “just tell me what you need” isn’t always helpful, and how dads can be involved right from the beginning.
Dr Ola also shares practical tools from the Gottman Method and tells us more about the Bringing Baby Home programme for couples navigating the transition into parenthood.
Links mentioned:
Dr Ola / The Wellness Hub
https://wellnesshub.ae/
Bringing Baby Home
https://wellnesshub.ae/couple-therapy-parenting/#bbh
The men’s brains vs women’s brains video I mention in the episode 😂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XjUFYxSxDk
Dr Ola's Instagram: @drolapykhtina
Wellness Hub Instagram: @wellnesshub.ae
Dr Ola's Podcast: Wellness Hub Feminine Power 
Support the show
Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae
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In this episode of Next of Kin: The Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Rafif Tayara, paediatric dentist, mum of three and founder of The Pediatric Academy.
We chat about her whole-child approach to paediatric dentistry and why oral health is about so much more than just teeth. We get into breathing, sleep, feeding, dummies, jaw development, first dental visits and some of the things we can look out for as parents.
I also put some of your Kin Club questions to Dr Tayara, including thumb sucking, overnight feeding and when to start brushing your baby’s teeth.
Today’s episode is kindly sponsored by The Pediatric Academy, an evidence-based educational platform bringing together trusted guidance and resources from healthcare professionals across different paediatric specialties.
There are also some brilliant guides and free resources available for parents.
All mums can also receive 20% off at Junior Dental Clinic, where Dr Rafif Tayara practises.
Links:
Dr Rafif Tayara: @doctortayara
The Pediatric Academy:
www.thepediatricacademy.com
Junior Dental Clinic:
www.juniordental.ae
Parent Guides:
https://thepediatricacademy.com/en/for-parents/guides
Order Dr Tayara’s book:
https://rafiftayara.com/order-my-book
Follow:
@nextofkin.ae
@millie_french_
A big thank you to The Pediatric Academy for sponsoring this episode, and to Dr Rafif Tayara for coming on for a natter with me!
Support the show
Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae
Join The Kin Club Whatsapp group! Be part of the conversation... 
https://chat.whatsapp.com/CisHo03m0h80AS7WY6tqu0?s=cl&p=i&ilr=4

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This week on Next of Kin: The Podcast, I’m joined by Lisa Adair, founder of Lullabies, and honestly, this is an episode I needed as a new mum myself!
Lisa has over 20 years of experience as a NICU nurse and is now an IBCLC lactation consultant and paediatric sleep consultant here in the UAE. She supports families through everything from breastfeeding and sleep to baby massage, antenatal education and starting solids.
We get really honest about those exhausting early months of motherhood and the pressure that comes with feeling like you’re constantly doing something “wrong”.
We chat about newborn sleep, co-sleeping, breastfeeding, milk supply, comfort sucking and the endless opinions new mums can receive about how they feed and settle their babies.
Lisa also explains the difference between a baby being “overtired” and being dysregulated, why sometimes the best thing you can do is simply pick your baby up and help them feel calm, and why there really isn’t one perfect way to parent.
We also answer questions from the Kin Club, including what to do when your baby is fighting sleep, how to know whether your baby is actually feeding or comfort sucking, and the pressure mums can feel when choosing formula or breastfeeding.
And of course, we finish with the piece of parenting advice Lisa would happily see disappear forever...
“Don’t pick your baby up, you’ll spoil them.”
Spoiler: Lisa strongly disagrees!
In this episode, we talk about:
• What newborn sleep really looks like
• Co-sleeping and safe sleep
• Breastfeeding and milk supply
• Comfort sucking vs feeding
• The pressure around “breast is best”
• Formula feeding without guilt
• What to do when your baby is fighting sleep
• Overtiredness vs dysregulation
• How nursery can help with picky eating
• Why there is no one “right” way to parent
• Dealing with unsolicited parenting advice
• When it might be time to seek professional support
About Lisa
Lisa Adair is the founder of Lullabies and has over 20 years of experience as a NICU nurse. She is an IBCLC-certified lactation consultant and paediatric sleep consultant, supporting families across Dubai and the UAE.
You can find out more about Lisa and the support she offers at lullabies.ae.
Instagram: @lullabiesdxb
This episode is all about taking some of the pressure off and reminding you that if you’re in those exhausting early months wondering whether you’re doing it right, you probably are doing a much better job than you think. 🩷
Support the show
Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae
Join The Kin Club Whatsapp group! Be part of the conversation... 
https://chat.whatsapp.com/CisHo03m0h80AS7WY6tqu0?s=cl&p=i&ilr=4

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So, How Did I End Up Here?
In this episode, I’m chatting about the whirlwind of the past year, from pregnancy and becoming a first-time mum to moving between the UAE and UK, navigating early motherhood and, somehow, taking over Next of Kin!
I’m sharing a little more about my journey so far, the reality of those early weeks with Gracie, and what you can expect from this new chapter of Next of Kin.
We’re talking:
• Pregnancy & motherhood
• Life as an expat in Dubai
• The highs and lows of those first few weeks
• Taking over Next of Kin
• What’s coming up on the podcast
• Friday morning play dates with MamaHub
Support the show
Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae
Join The Kin Club Whatsapp group! Be part of the conversation... 
https://chat.whatsapp.com/CisHo03m0h80AS7WY6tqu0?s=cl&p=i&ilr=4

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SPONSORED BY MOM’S PURE MILK
Today’s episode is very kindly sponsored by Mom’s Pure Milk.
Next of Kin listeners can receive 10% off with code NOK10.
Mom’s Pure Milk: https://momspuremilk.com/
NEXT OF KIN THE PODCAST IS BACK!
Next of Kin The Podcast is back with a brand new chapter! In this special episode, Emma hands over the podcast and Next of Kin to Millie, a British expat, first-time mum and the new owner of Next of Kin, living between the UK and Dubai, UAE.
Join Emma and Millie for an honest catch-up as they chat about how they first met through nursery, how a chance TikTok video brought them back together, and why Millie decided to take on Next of Kin.
Millie shares her journey from Yorkshire to Dubai, meeting her Egyptian husband Mina, navigating an intercultural marriage and becoming a first-time mum to Gracie. We also talk about leaving Dubai while heavily pregnant, giving birth in the UK, solo parenting, postpartum mental health, sleep deprivation and the realities of being separated from your partner.
Emma also shares an update on Bonnie and reflects on her experience of having a high-needs baby, the pressures around baby sleep and parenting expectations, and why trusting your own instincts as a parent is so important.
Finally, we look ahead to the future of Next of Kin and what Millie has planned for the podcast and community.
IN THIS EPISODE
• Emma officially hands over Next of Kin and the podcast to Millie
• How Emma and Millie first met through nursery
• The TikTok video that brought them back together
• Millie’s journey from Yorkshire to Dubai
• Meeting Mina and navigating an intercultural marriage
• Becoming a first-time mum to Gracie
• Leaving Dubai while heavily pregnant
• Giving birth in the UK
• Solo parenting and being separated from your partner
• Postpartum mental health and sleep deprivation
• Emma’s update on Bonnie
• Life with a high-needs baby
• Baby sleep and the pressures placed on new mums
• Trusting your instincts as a parent
• The future of Next of Kin, the podcast and the community
FOLLOW NEXT OF KIN
Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
FOLLOW MILLIE
Instagram: @millie_french_
TikTok: @millie_french_
FOLLOW EMMA
Instagram: @emmacoulter_
GET IN TOUCH
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae

Support the show
Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae
Join The Kin Club Whatsapp group! Be part of the conversation... 
https://chat.whatsapp.com/CisHo03m0h80AS7WY6tqu0?s=cl&p=i&ilr=4