Sense by Meg Faure: Real Life Parenting

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]

This week on Sense by Meg Faure, we check in with regular guest Nina Clark as her son, Josh, hits the dynamic 7.5-month mark. Nina shares an honest update on a recent sleep regression, her questions about crawling, and the challenges of feeding a "social butterfly."
This episode is a must-listen guide to navigating this active and exciting stage:
The Crawling Question: Is your baby pulling up to stand but not yet crawling? Meg explains why crawling is a critical milestone for long-term development and why there's a wide range of "normal" (from 7.5 to 11.5 months).
Sleep Regression Hacks: Josh has started waking for 1-2 hours in the middle of the night. Meg provides a 5-point checklist for troubleshooting sleep issues, including the importance of movement, iron and magnesium supplements, deep pressure (weighted blankets), and ruling out congestion (glue ear).
Feeding a Social Butterfly: Nina shares her struggle with breastfeeding a distractible baby. We discuss the pros and cons of snacky feeds versus a more structured routine.
Iron & Your Baby's Health: Learn why iron is so important after six months and how to know if your baby might need a gentle supplement like Floradix.
This is a relatable and info-packed conversation for any parent with a baby on the move!
About Our Guest:
Nina Clark: a boy mom of two - born and bred in South Africa and back on these fair shores after a solid stint in London. Which is where my sleepwear and bedding business, Nightire, started.
Everything is made of 100% organic bamboo - for functional yet fashionable bedtime gear.
Episode References and Links:
Book: Weaning Sense by Meg Faure and Kath Megaw
Supplements Mentioned: Floradix Liquid Iron, Floradix Magnesium, CalMag Tissue Salts
📱 Parent Sense App – Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice.
CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE
Web: megfaure.com
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/MegFaure.Sense
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/
THE PARENT SENSE APP
📱 Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app : 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]

Welcome to Season 8 of Sense by Meg Faure! In this powerful solo episode, Meg takes us back to the very beginning: the moment of birth. She explains the profound "sensory explosion" a newborn experiences as they transition from the calm, muted womb into our bright, loud, and unpredictable world. Understanding this is the key to a calmer, more confident start to your parenting journey.
Key discussion points include:
The Newborn's Reality: What does birth really feel like for a baby? We explore the overwhelming sensory input they face.
Your Baby's 8 Senses: An introduction to all eight sensory systems, from touch and sight to the lesser-known vestibular, proprioceptive, and interoceptive senses.
The Science of "Habituation": Learn why your baby startles easily and gets overwhelmed, and why their brain can't yet filter out unimportant information like an adult's can.
Your Role as a Sensory Filter: Discover how you can act as your baby's external regulator, using simple techniques to create a calming environment.
Secrets from the Womb: Meg explains why swaddling, white noise, rocking, and dim lights work so well—because they replicate the soothing sensory sanctuary of the womb.
This episode is a foundational guide for any expectant or new parent, providing the "why" behind your newborn's behavior and the practical tools to help them settle into our world with sense and connection.

Take the guesswork out of parenting with Meg’s expert-led routines. 📲 Download the Parent Sense App https://parentsense.app/
About Meg Faure: Meg Faure is a renowned Occupational Therapist, bestselling author of the 'Sense' series, and the founder of Parent Sense. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Meg specializes in baby care, sleep, and sensory processing, helping parents globally navigate the journey from pregnancy to toddlerhood with science-backed "sense." megfaure.com
Episode References and Links:
Discount Code: Use SENSE50 for 50% off in the Parent Sense 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 to listen on Apple, Youtube, 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 close out Season 7 with a raw, honest, and incredibly powerful conversation. Meg is joined by Dr. Katlego Lekalakala (Dr. Kat), a beloved South African doctor and founder of "Clueless Mums," just four days before the birth of her second child. Dr. Kat opens up about her high-risk pregnancy journey, sharing her experience with gestational diabetes, a short cervix, and the profound emotional challenges of antenatal anxiety.
This is a must-listen for any expectant mother, offering:
Real Talk on Second Pregnancies: Dr. Kat discusses the surprising differences between her first and second pregnancies, from intense nausea and fatigue to the emotional weight of a high-risk diagnosis.
Gestational Diabetes Explained: Learn about the causes, risks for both mother and baby, and the best strategies for managing the condition through diet and self-care.
Navigating Antenatal Anxiety: A candid conversation about the prevalence of anxiety and depression during pregnancy, the importance of asking for help, and preparing a support system for the postpartum period.
Advocacy in Healthcare: Dr. Kat shares how she learned to collaborate with her medical team, feel in control of her pregnancy, and advocate for her own health needs.
This episode is a tribute to maternal resilience, offering medical insight, emotional honesty, and a powerful reminder that it's okay to struggle, and it's essential to ask for help.
About Our Guest:
Dr. Katlego "Kat" Lekalakala is a South African medical doctor specializing in Public Health and the founder of the parenting platform, Clueless Mums. She is a passionate advocate for accessible health education, empowering parents and teens to take control of their well-being. A wife and mother to her daughter Nia, Dr. Kat shares her personal and professional insights with honesty and warmth. You can follow her journey on Instagram at @DrK_Selikane.
Episode References and Links:
📱 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]

This week on Sense by Meg Faure, we check in with twin mom Zoe Brown and expert nurse Tasha Perreard as Zoe's boys hit the 6.5-month mark. This episode is a deep dive into the exciting and sometimes anxious transition when babies start rolling, which brings big changes to sleep routines and safety.
Key discussion points include:
The Rolling Milestone: Zoe shares the joy and terror of her boys "rolling like little tumbleweeds." We discuss why this is a crucial developmental step and how to manage the transition out of swaddles and sleep positioners.
Safe Sleep for Mobile Babies: Is it okay for your baby to sleep on their tummy? Meg and Tasha provide clear, reassuring advice on safe sleep once your baby can roll independently.
Managing Different Sleepers: One twin sleeps through the night, but the other wakes frequently. We explore how sensory profiles impact sleep and offer practical solutions, like using a small weighted blanket for a more sensitive baby.
Surviving "Dummy Runs": Tasha shares a game-changing tip for teaching your baby to find and replace their own dummy, helping to reduce night wakings.
Daytime Routines & Sitting: Learn how to structure naps at this age and get creative tips for helping your baby practice sitting, like using a simple cardboard box for support.
This is a must-listen for any parent with a baby approaching the mobile stage, packed with expert advice and relatable moments.
About Our Guests:
Zoe Brown: A well-known media personality and new mother to 6.5-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:
📱 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]