On this week's podcast episode, Jess is joined by a specialist in child neurological health and neurological disorders, Dr. Robert Melillo.  Dr. Melillo is a clinician, professor, brain researcher, and best-selling author. Dr. Melillo has been supporting children with Autism, ADHD, OCD, Dyslexia, Tourette's, Bipolar as well as many other mental, attention and behavioural learning disorders for over 30 years.  In this episode, Jess and Dr. Melillo will discuss:Dr. Melillo's previous clinical experience and education;What is going on in the brain in neurological disorders; The importance of developmental milestones and how you can pick up brain imbalances as a parent; Dr. Melillo's approach to treating functional disconnections or brain imbalances in children;Diet and nutrition for brain health;How lifestyle factors affect brain health.Episode LinksCheck out Dr. Robert Melillo's Website  Preorder Dr. Robert Melillo's Book 'Disconnected Kids'  Click here to access Dr. Robert Melillo's resource papers Follow Dr. Robert Melillo on Instagram Like Dr. Robert Melillo's Facebook page Watch 'Disconnected Kids, Reconnected Families' with Dr. Robert and Carolyn Melillo  Book a virtual consultation with Dr. Robert Melillo Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

On this week's podcast episode, Jess is speaking with  integrative paediatrician Dr Leila Masson all about PANS and PANDAS in children. Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Paediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) occur after an infection, most commonly a strep infection. In PANS and PANDAS, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain cells, leading to autoimmune processes that affect central nervous system function. Dr Leila Masson underwent her paediatric training at the University of California in San Francisco and has a Master in Public Health from Harvard University. She treats children with autism, ADHD, PANS, allergies, and other chronic issues by addressing the underlying causes, such as nutritional deficiencies, unhealthy gut flora, or inflammation. Dr Masson has written a guidebook for parents "A-Z Children's Health" packed with practical advice on treating common childhood illnesses. Dr Masson offers webinars and online courses on a wide range of health issues, to support children and their families on their path to better health.During this episode, Jess and Dr Leila Masson will share:How PANS occurs and the symptoms associated with PANS;The difference between PANS and PANDAS;How to reduce toxin exposure;Diagnostic testing for PANS;Treatment for PANS and how to reduce the risk of flares in the future; How gut health is associated with PANS;Supplement recommendations to support gut health for kids with PANS; Why a nutritious diet is essential for treating PANS;The long-term effects of PANS.Episode Links:Check out Dr Leila Masson's website herePurchase a copy of Dr Leila Masson's Book - 'The Essential Guide To A Healthy Child' here Click here to check out Dr Leila Masson's WebinarsFollow Dr Leila Masson on FacebookFollow Dr Leila Masson on Instagram Book a 1:1 consultation with the Natural Super Kids team hereSign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

If you missed last weeks podcast, Jess spoke to relationship coach Aston Simmonds about how to recreate your relationship after kids. Here is the link to listen to this episode. This week on the podcast we have Nate Kemp, best-selling author of the book '80/80 Marriage' and formally trained philosopher.  Nate and his wife Kaley, developed the idea of 'The 80/80 Marriage', a relationship model for balancing career, family and love. Their 80/80 model of marriage provides practical, powerful solutions to transform your relationship and open up space for greater love and connection.In this episode, Jess and Nate  go over:Nates journey and how he came to write the book '80/80 marriage';How a 50/50 marriage model makes a relationship less equal;The availability bias and the overestimation bias;The theory behind the 80/80 marriage model;How to implement radical generosity into your relationship;Navigating under contributing and over contributing in a relationship.Episode Links:Check out the 80/80 marriage website Click here to sign up to the 80/80 marriage FREE newsletterBuy the 80/80 marriage book in Australia Follow 80/80 marriage on InstagramSign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

Today we have relationship coach Aston Simmonds on the podcast to discuss recreating your relationship after kids and keeping the spark alive. Aston is not only a relationship coach, but a retreat facilitator, podcast host, writer and married mum of two. Aston helps women and couples to communicate, connect and recreate their relationship after having kids. In this episode, Aston and I go over: Astons journey and how she began working in this role;Understanding what your relationship vision is; How to shift your expectations in a relationship to stay connected through the chaos;Recreating your relationship to keep the spark alive;Questions to ask to increase connection in your relationship; Redefining what it means to be a mother;How to shift parenting expectations and work together with your partner.Episode Links:Get Your Copy Of The 5 Minute Coffee Check-InJoin Aston's 'Recreate Your Relationship' 4 week online program and discover how you can Recreate Your Relationship in less than 4 weeks!Check out Aston's Website hereFollow Aston on InstagramWatch Aston on YoutubeSign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

Our guest on the podcast this week is Emily Lo, who is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Sensory Expert, a mother, and a caregiver to her autistic brother.  Emily has worked for the Department of Education, in International Schools, for Not For Profit Organisations, and in private practice. Emily has a private practice in Sydney, called 'Child-Led Therapies'. Emily is certified in AYRES Sensory Integration, DIRFloor time, SOS feeding, Handwriting Without Tears and Therapeutic Listening.  Emily shares her knowledge on social media about child development, play sensory, and therapy activities. Emily's goal is to empower caregivers through education on how to support their children. In this episode, Emily and I discuss:Signs of a sensory challenge in your kids;The do's and don'ts of fussy eating;The difference between sensory-avoidant kids and sensory-seeking kids;The theory behind occupational therapy and sensory challenges in kids;How to distinguish between over-responsive and under-responsive kids ;Emily's calming sensory activity recommendations.Episode Links: Follow Emily on Instagram hereCheck out 'OT with Emily' Website hereCheck out Emily's Private Practice - Child Led TherapiesSign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

Last week on the podcast, Jess spoke about the importance of building a healthy winter immune system in autumn. If you have not checked this episode yet, click here to listen. Today, on the podcast Jess is talking about the antibiotic cycle, how to break this cycle and help your child's immune system recover this winter. Nearly every child we see with immune issues or recurrent infections has had either a heavy use of antibiotics overall or exposure to antibiotics when very young. Although antibiotics have their place, they are often overused and can cause long-term effects on our health. In this episode, Jess discusses:The overuse of antibiotics and the negative long-term effects of antibiotics; Studies demonstrating the impact antibiotics have on the microbiome, atopic conditions, and metabolic disorders;The antibiotic cycle and how this cycle makes children more susceptible to infections;The effects of antibiotics on immune function;How to strengthen our children's ability to fight infections without the use of antibiotics.Episode Links:Study on the impact of early life antibiotic use on atopic and metabolic disorders;Research discussing the impact of antibiotics on the microbiome of children; Save your seat to our FREE on-demand Immunity Masterclass: 3 Simple Ways to Naturally Boost Your Kids Immunity to Avoid a Winter Full of Sickness. Click here to join us. Book a 1:1 consultation with our team.Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

Today Jess is talking about immunity, and why it is important to support your child's immune system before winter.Parents generally focus on building their children's immunity during winter. However, focusing on supporting your children's (and your) immune system in autumn gives you the best chance of fighting off colds, and flu when winter time approaches. In this episode, Jess will discuss:How the immune system develops as a child ages; The different parts of the immune system; How innate immunity and adaptive immunity work together;The normal symptoms of illness and how often it is normal to be sick;How to determine if your child has a healthy immune system Stay tuned for next week's episode where Jess dives into antibiotics, the antibiotic cycle, and how we can avoid overuse of medications in our kids over the winter. Episode links:Save your seat to our FREE on-demand Immunity Masterclass: 3 Simple Ways to Naturally Boost Your Kids Immunity to Avoid a Winter Full of Sickness. Click here to join us. Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

In our last episode, I had an insightful discussion with Paediatric Neurologist Dr Steve Hodges from the United States. Dr. Hodges shared his unique approach to toileting issues, explaining how chronic constipation may be the underlying cause of toileting issues in your children. If you haven't listened to this episode yet, click here to listen. Today we are diving into bedwetting - a challenging issue for many families. Bedwetting can be inconvenient, and embarrassing as children get older, with little information surrounding alternative treatments for bedwetting. Join me as I break down a topic that can be a struggle for many children. In this episode, I discuss:How constipation can be an underlying cause of bedwetting;Imbalances in the gut microbiome and how this can contribute to bedwetting, chronic cystitis, and thrush;Symptoms of worms and how worms can be a cause of bedwetting; The link between allergies (food and environmental), and increased risk of bedwetting;How  controlling asthma can reduce the incidence of bedwetting;The role stress plays in bedwetting, and how wetting the bed can affect a child's mental health;The association between bedwetting and behavioural problems, and how bedwetting is more common in neurodiverse kids;The link between sleep-disordered breathing and bedwetting.Episode Links:Constipation in children - A Natural Approach The connection between the Bladder and the Brain-Gut Axis in treating Functional Bladder Disorders  Treating Worms in Children Allergic Rhinitis and the Associated Risk of Bedwetting  Study The association between Asthma and Bedwetting Study Behavioural Problems and Bedwetting Study The link between Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Bedwetting Study Assessment of oral function Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

Today we have Dr. Steve Hodges on the podcast. Dr. Hodges is a Professor of Pediatric Urology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and is a leading authority on childhood toileting issues. In this episode, Dr Hodges and I discuss enuresis (bedtime and daytime wetting) and encopresis (poop accidents). Dr Hodges is dedicated to debunking common myths surrounding enuresis (bedtime and daytime wetting) and encopresis (poop accidents), emphasizing that these issues are never a child's fault. Dr. Hodges has authored eight books for parents and children, including "The M.O.P. Anthology" and "Bedwetting and Accidents Aren't Your Fault."In this episode, Dr. Hodges and I go over:The common misconceptions he has encountered when it comes to enuresis and encopresis;Why it is important to emphasize that accidents are never a child's fault;The key differences between enuresis and encopresis;The motivation behind Dr Hodges's writing "The M.O.P. Anthology" and "Bedwetting and Accidents Aren’t Your Fault"? and what these books offer to parents and children;The main challenges parents face when dealing with bedwetting and accidents in their children, and how you can work to help them overcome these challenges;Plus Dr. Hodges shares his insights on the prevalence of bedwetting and daytime wetting issues in children.Episode Links:For more information on Dr Hodges, plus access to his resources - click here. Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

This week on the Natural Super Kids podcast we are talking about risk-taking, risky play, and risky activities in kids. Back in January, I shared some stories on Instagram about my children jetty jumping, and it led to a conversation about how parents feel about risky activities such as jetty jumping, most parents said risky activities made them very nervous.So I thought I would touch on this topic of conversation further, and dive deeper on the benefits of risky play. In this episode, I share:What is risky play;The big reason I prefer my children to take risks when I am around; I dive deeper into the 6 categories of risky play which include:Great heights;Rapid speeds;Dangerous tools;Dangerous elements;Rough and tumble;Disappearing or getting lost; The benefits of risky play;The teenage brain when it comes to seeking out risky behaviour.Episode links:Ellen Sandseter's 6 Categories of Risky PlaySign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

In our last episode we talked about sleep in general, the underlying causes of sleep issues in kids, diet and lifestyle factors that impact sleep and some practical tips to improve sleep for families. If you haven't listened to that episode yet - click here.  Today we are zooming in to focus specifically on melatonin, its role in sleep, how we can support healthy melatonin production and using melatonin to support sleep in children.Join me for this informative chat with our practising naturopath, Sarah Worboys as we discuss:The circadian rhythm and melatonin’s role in the circadian rhythm;The reasons melatonin is important for children (besides sleep);The importance of light for natural melatonin production and what parents can do in their homes to reduce light and support melatonin production;The specific nutrients your child needs to produce melatonin;Sarah and I discuss melatonin supplements and when parents may want to consider trying melatonin;We also touch on synthetic vs natural melatonin, plus the safety around long-term use.Episode Links:Book a consultation with our team to get your child's sleep sorted today;The short-term and long-term adverse effects of melatonin treatment in children and adolescents Study;Is Phytomelatonin Complex Better Than Synthetic Melatonin Study;Dietary Sources and Bioactivities of Melatonin Study.Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

Sleep is an essential component of overall good human health. Good sleep supports children's physiological and mental health, cognitive development, and behaviour.  At Natural Super Kids we see sleep issues in children frequently, and in this week's podcast episode, I sat down with our practising Naturopath, Sarah Worboys to discuss how naturopathy can support sleep issues in children. In this episode, you will discover:Why sleep is important and how much sleep children require;The common causes of sleep issues in children;The importance of neurotransmitters when it comes to sleep and some of the signs these may be out of balance;The impact diet and lifestyle have on sleep;Plus Sarah shares some general tips for better sleep.Episode Links:Is sleep an issue for your child? Book a consultation with our team here. The Effects of Dietary Nutrition on Sleep and Sleep Disorders Study.Plasma DHA Is Related to Sleep Timing and Duration Study.Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

Heavy metal toxicity in the body can cause symptoms such as brain fog, poor concentration, mood swings, headaches, food allergies, and more. The term ‘heavy metals’ is related to elements found on the periodic table. These elements include mercury, copper, iron, and zinc.  So how do you determine whether your child has heavy metals circulating their body? Join me for this informative chat with our Clinical Nutritionist, Mel Kirkwood to learn more about how heavy metals can impact your child's health.In this episode, Mel shares with us:What are heavy metals;How do they impact children, and the symptoms correlated with heavy metal toxicity;Testing options available and our preferred method for children;What parents do to reduce their children's exposure to heavy metals;Mel also shares with us a case study about her client Billy - an 8-year-old boy who was experiencing silent seizures, learning difficulties, and fussy eating, and how a particular heavy metal was impacting him. Episode Links:Book a 1:1 consultation with our team. Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

Ever wondered why your child is always picky about certain foods? Ever battled with recurrent infections, allergies, or even challenging behavior? It all could be tied to something as simple as gut health.I'm excited to announce that I've put together a brand new kids' gut health assessment. This assessment will help you determine just how healthy your child's gut is, and give you guidance on what next steps you need to take.In this episode we will go through a series of questions to determine if your child falls under three categories:1. Gut Repair;2. Gut Nourish;3. Gut Maintain;The information in this podcast episode, together with the gut health assessment will help you make the most of the information I share in my upcoming Free Gut Health Masterclass that I will be hosting next week.  Have you registered? If not, check out the information below to save your seat, and together we can work to improve your child's behaviour, fussy eating, allergies, and so much more..Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

Today we're talking about fussy eaters and food intolerances - two very common complaints we see in the Natural Super Kids Clinic. Specifically what you might be missing if you're dealing with a child who is a fussy eater, or one who has a food intolerance.. or maybe you're dealing with both concerns. In this episode, Jess will share:A personal client of Jess's who had multiple food intolerances, low immunity, fussy with food, and Mum was struggling to find foods that were safe for her to eat;Jess shares what approach she took with this client including focusing on the gut;What you might be missing when it comes to fussy eating and food intolerances;Information on what gut dysbiosis and intestinal permeability are, how this can impact your child & how this relates to fussy eating and food intolerances.Episode Links:Download your copy of our free Kids Gut Health eBook here. Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

If you are a parent of a child who has been diagnosed with a lung condition such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or acute respiratory infections such as influenza, RSV, or the common cold then this episode is valuable for you. Research tells us that there is promise for these chronic lung conditions and that the gut microbiome plays a significant role in improving lung function. In this episode Jess shares:How dysbiosis in gut microbiota is associated with lung disorders and respiratory infections;More information on the lung-gut axis and how gut health is connected to lung function;Jess shares research from studies focusing on the gut-lung connection;Plus, the importance of short-chain fatty acids when it comes to nourishing the gut, lung health, immunity and more;Some of the specific respiratory and lung conditions we see in children and our strategies for improving symptoms including:Hayfever and environmental allergies; Asthma; Cystic Fibrosis;The benefits of a fibre-rich diet for influencing the lungs;Specific strains of probiotic strains play a beneficial role in improving the gut-lung axis.Episode Links:Episode 6: The Hygiene Hypothesis and Allergies in Kids;Research Paper: The lung–gut axis during viral respiratory infections: the impact of gut dysbiosis on secondary disease outcomesResearch Paper: Diet, Microbiota and Gut-Lung ConnectionResearch Paper: The Role of the Microbiome in Asthma: The Gut–Lung AxisSign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

If you are a parent of a child who struggles with sensitive skin, eczema, rashes, hives, keratosis pilaris (chicken skin) psoriasis, acne, chronic skin infections such as molluscum, Impetigo, hand, foot, and mouth, cradle cap this episode is going to interest you. Let us dive into the fascinating connection between the gut and the skin. In this episode we will zoom out and look at skin health in general and how the gut is involved with our skin health. In this episode, I will share:My own story with acne struggles, and how it lead me to study naturopathy;The various reasons why the gut is so important for skin conditions, including:Both the gut and the skin are elimination channels for the body;Inflammation from the gut can lead to inflammation of the skin;Why the gut and the immune system go hand-in-hand, and how this impact the skin (ie: skin infections, molluscum);The nutrients that are important for gut and skin integrity;When it comes to hormonal skin conditions such as acne we need to also consider the role of the gut.I share more on the specific strains of probiotics that are beneficial for certain skin conditionsEpisode Links:Episode 38: Eczema: Causes and Natural SolutionsEpisode 39: The link between eczema and gut healthEpisode 49: Preventing and treating acne in teensEpisode 71: Treating Molluscum ContagiosumSign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

The rise in mental health issues among children is concerning, but did you know that it's tightly woven with changes in their gut microbiome? In this episode, I will share with you how nurturing a diverse microbiome can balance neurotransmitters and enhance mental well-being to improve mood, sleep, behaviour, and more. In this episode, we will delve into:Understanding what the gut-brain connection is;What the gut-brain connection means for our children's overall health and well-being;Steps we can take to improve our children's mental health through the gut-brain connection, including dietary, lifestyle, and nutrient suggestions;I will share more information on the gut and why our microbes are so important for brain health;What affects microbiome diversity in our children;The link between gastrointestinal complaints & mental health disorders;I share more information on neuroinflammation and what we can do to reduce this;I delve into the topic of psychobiotics and what specific strains have been researched in connection to improving mood, sleep, and mental health outcomes.Plus my favourite herb & nutrient for gut-brain connection.Episode Links:Download our free Kids Gut Health eBook to start improving your kid's gut health here;Book an express consultation with our practitioners to receive supplement advice. Reach out to us on Instagram here. Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

Join me for this conversational episode where I chat about the concept of orchid and dandelion children. I spoke about this over on our Instagram page in December 2023 and it resonated with a lot of parents, so I thought I would expand upon it today on the podcast. The concept of orchid and dandelion children was created by pediatrician and Professor emeritus of paediatrics and psychiatry, W. Thomas Boyce. Dr Boyce shares that children have two very different responses to their environments. While some children are like dandelions and can thrive in almost any environment, there are others who, like orchids, are much more reactive and susceptible to their surroundings. In this episode I will be sharing more about this concept, including: Why some children are much more affected by their circumstances and their environment, compared to others;I share the statistics of how many children are known as dandelion children, what this means, and what personality traits they have;I share how many children identify as orchid children and their personality traits;  Plus, how we can support our orchid children.Episode links: Follow us on Instagram here. Watch the TedTalk on this concept here. Purchase The Orchid and the Dandelion - Why Some Children Struggle and How All Can Thrive on Amazon. Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.

Packing school lunch boxes every day can be such a chore, especially when your kid comes home and you realise they haven't eaten a thing you've prepared.  When it comes to packing school lunchboxes, it's important to focus on building a nutritionally balanced lunchbox that balances your children's blood sugar levels, but we also need to find foods our kids want to eat (which is the tricky part!)In this episode, I will be sharing my time-saving hacks for packing a healthy lunchbox. For more insights on packing a healthy lunchbox, be sure to listen to Episode 53 of the Natural Super Kids podcast. Let's dive into: Why packing a healthy lunchbox is such a significant part of our kid's overall wellbeing;Tips for packing a lunchbox for a fussy eater;How to improve nutrition throughout the day, if they won't eat it out of their lunchbox;Why healthy lunchbox options are so beneficial for our kids.. (hint: it involves balancing blood sugar levels..);We dive into some of my time-saving hacks including:Batch cooking recipes that freeze well and are made to last (hint: sweet snack options);How having a schedule or a plan to "prep ahead" is a game-changer;Why I love to have the lunchboxes cleaned and ready to go when I'm cooking dinner;The key macronutrient you should include, and how to make it easier for you to include it in the lunchbox;How to get the kids involved and put them in charge, plus tips for all ages;Quick, easy supermarket options to have on hand.Episode Links:Join us for the Natural Super Kids Lunchbox Challenge in February. Click here to have access to recipes, masterclasses, community, prizes, and more. Listen to Episode 53: Packing a healthy lunchboxNot ready to join us? Join the KLUB waitlist here. Sign up for our FREE Immunity masterclass here.