Boob to Food - The Podcast

Following on from our episode about labour and birth prep, in today's BONUS episode we discuss all things packing your hospital bag from a midwife's perspective... and Kate has a big realisation that she is incredibly disorganised for this baby's arrival!For those who are tuning in for the first time, a little about us…Luka McCabe - founder of Boob to Food, author of Milk to Meals, registered nurse and midwife, as well as mum of 3Kate Holm - naturopath, nutritionist,  clinical director of Boob to Food and mum of 2 (with a third very soon to arrive!)In this podcast we discussWhy it is helpful to pack a hospital bag and when you might like to start thinking about itPacking a bag for labour, postpartum, baby and also your support personWhat to pack, the absolute musts and some nice to havesWhy having a bag packed is still relevant, even if you’re planning a home birthand so much more…Today’s episode was brought to you by MUMMA MILLA. MUMMA MILLA have created a range of leakproof, minimal, feminine and aesthetic nursing bralettes and camis that also tick the boxes of being functional, comfortable and giving the environment a helping hand. MUMMA MILLA bralettes have also been designed to be simple and modern so they can be worn with everything and ensure they have longevity in our wardrobes. Kate has been living in their bralette and cami throughout the end stages of this pregnancy, and knows they will remain a favourite through the breastfeeding journey to come! They are a considered product designed by a real mum, for all those other breastfeeding mothers out there, and we are huge fans.You can use the code BOOBTOFOOD for 15% off single items: the leakproof day, night cami and bandeau bralettes until 14th October 2023 *Excludes bundle packs which are already discounted. Visit mumma-milla.com to place your order.Follow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com

With the birth of Kate’s third baby getting very close, we have been getting inundated with questions about how to prepare for labour and birth, and how to support ourselves nutritionally.For those who are tuning in for the first time, a little about us…Luka McCabe - founder of Boob to Food, author of Milk to Meals, registered nurse and midwife, as well as mum of 3Kate Holm - naturopath, nutritionist,  clinical director of Boob to Food and mum of 2 (with a third very soon to arrive!)In this podcast we discussNaturopathic recommendations for the final weeks of pregnancy, including a very delicious food you should be includingAll about the vaginal microbiome and ways that we can support itPerineal massage and other physical practices that you can implementHydration during labour - what you should be drinking and how oftenSnacks during labour - what to prioritise and how regularly you should nibblePhysical support for pain during labourand so much more…Some of our favourite books we mention or you might enjoy...Anything by Ina May GaskinGentle Birth, Gentle Mothering - Sarah Buckley (she has many other books about parenting as well)Birth with confidence and Beyond the birth plan - Rhea DempseyActive Birth - Janet BalaskasThe First Fourty Days - Heng OuThe Post Natal Depletion Cure - Oscar SerrallachThe Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care - Sally Fallon MorellToday’s episode was brought to you by Mini + Me. Designed by parents and backed by science, Hydramama is the drink you’ll need to support you through conception to postpartum - and Kate will definitely be using it to stay hydrated during labour. A new age isotonic drink, Hydramama uses bioavailable water-soluble forms of vitamins to help ensure the best level of absorption. Think of it as a tasty drink that has the added benefits of Electrolytes, Folate, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C. We cannot decide on a favourite flavour… but if we had to choose, we would probably go with Blackcurrant… but seriously, you should try them all!You can use the code BOOBTOFOOD for 15% off excluding sample packs. Visit the Mini + Me website to place your order today.Follow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com

Starting solids is such an exciting time, but we understand it can also be incredibly overwhelming, confusing and bring up a lot of questions! So we asked paediatric speech pathologist and mum emily meagher all of the top questions we receive.Emily is a certified practicing speech pathologist working and living in the South West of WA. She has worked across hospital, community, disability and private sectors for the past 12 years and recently shifted gears to support parents in their communication and feeding journeys through her online space at Chomp n Chat. She is passionate about giving all children a voice and putting the joy back into the early years of raising healthy and happy little chompers and chatters.In this podcast we chat to Emily about:What the role of a speech pathologist is and when you might reach out for supportAll about the tongue thrust reflex and what we should be looking for when starting solidsWhat exactly gagging is, whether it is normal and how we can support our childHow we can safely progress onto finger foodsHow to teach our child to chew and not shovel in their food or overstuff their mouth, plus what to do if this occursSupporting children to chew and swallow rather than just spit food back out againRed flags that may warrant a review with a speech pathologist and so much more!You can connect with Emily on Instagram or her websiteToday's episode was brought to you by Bugaboo. We are always on the lookout for highchairs that are not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing and easy to use (and clean!), and were so thrilled to find the Bugaboo Giraffe which ticks ALL the boxes. A chair designed for all ages, and it is literally adjustable in one second. The clever design offers five different seating solutions that can adapt to all milestones and moments in a child’s growth journey — from newborn to toddler and up to adult. It can be adjusted in one second without any tools needed, making it a versatile, durable while added points for actually looking nice at the family table. Our Occupational Therapist Rachael also gave it her tick of approval from an ergonomic perspective, so our little ones can feel supported and comfortable at mealtimes.If you want to see the Bugaboo Giraffe for yourself visit the Bugaboo website HERE.Follow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com

There can be so many challenges when it comes to motherhood - but the mum guilt, and push/pull of working and being a mum is one that many of our listeners reach out about. Today we chat to the beautiful and absolute powerhouse mumma Steph Claire Smith on her experience of being not only a working mum, but also the main working parent.Stephanie Miller - or you may know her on Instagram as Steph Claire Smith, is a model, turned entrepreneur and podcast host herself! She is the co-founder of KIC, an incredible company she started with her best friend Laura Henshaw to change the relationship that people have with wellness and themselves. She is also the mum to gorgeous 2 year old Harvey - and shares so openly and authentically about the struggles and public criticism she has faced being the parent who returned to work.In this podcast we chat to Steph about:How Steph and her husband Josh made the decision for her to return to work and whether it was always part of the planWhat Josh did for work prior to becoming a stay at home dad, and how he is coping with the arrangementWhen Steph returned to work after the birth of Harvey and how she made this work logisticallyBreastfeeding as a working mum and the challenges and stress that aroseAll things mum guilt and the public criticism that Steph endured online for being a working mum, as well as the comments and questions made towards JoshParental preference and how being the working parent has influnced Steph’s relationship with HarveyThe mental load and whether this is less now that Steph isn’t the at home parentand so much more!Steph is so down to earth, genuine and inspiring. We loved chatting to her (and our trip to Melbourne to do so!) and highly recommend tuning in, whether you’re a working parent or not.You can connect with Steph on Instagram, her podcast or check out the KIC app where she has generously offered our listeners a free trial. Sign up via the KIC website by selecting the monthly plan and using the code BOOBTOFOOD at the checkout. Once you have a subscription you can download the app and log in.Today's episode was brought to you by Arcaa. We have been wearing the beautiful clothes by Arcaa for years now and absolutely love them. Not only are they incredible quality, but we love that they can seen you through pregnancies, postpartum and beyond - both with comfort and looking good! Founded in Byron Bay, Arcaa creates premium wardrobe essentials with a responsible approach. They have become our un-offical mum group uniform… which is great, but can also be slightly embarrassing when all our friends turn up wearing the same outfit! You can honorarily join the mum group by purchasing some Arcaa pieces for yourself. Use the discount code BOOBTOFOOD for 15% off your order until the 11th of September. Visit arcaamovement.co today!Follow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com

This week ee welcome Dr Billy Garvey back to the podcast to share his wisdom on all things screen time and technology - spoiler alert - there is definitely no screen shaming here!Billy is a developmental paediatrician with nearly 20 years experience working with children in a number of settings. His clinical and research interests include child development and mental health, multidisciplinary collaboration, improving health literacy and promoting community engagement to support all families. Billy holds clinical, advocacy and research roles in government and not-for-profit organizations at a national, state and local level. He is currently undertaking a PhD piloting a model to support child emotional and behavioural development in primary schools and is a Churchill Fellow exploring how social media can be used to support parenting. He is also the co-founder and co-host of an excellent podcast - Pop Culture Parenting, which aims support child development and wellbeing using evidence in a meaningful, fun and realistic way. Definitely check it out!In this podcast we chat to Billy about:What the use of screens does to our children’s brainsWhen is the best age to start using screens and how to manage different aged siblings in the houseWhether or not we should set time limits for screen time, and how to make it work for our familyThe role that the size of the device and type of show being watched playsHow to end screen time without meldownsand so much more!Dr Billy is an absolute wealth of knowledge is so generous with his wisdom. He also shares so much that can benefits families with children of all ages and stages, as well as adults too - we highly recommend you tune in!You can connect with Billy on Instagram as well as on his podcast (which you can listen to HERE)Today's episode was brought to you by The Purc Shop. The Purc Shop make beautiful timber furniture and custom builds, locally made in Byron Bay. They are handcrafted from sustainable Australian hardwoods, finished with healthy, non toxic, kid friendly oils, and designed in a simple way, with subtle details, so they stay in the family for many years to come. We love their Harrie bed which is designed to grow with little people, from toddler to teen, and everything in between. It starts low to the ground so is great to transition from a cot, and comes with two sets of legs to grow into a big kid bed as your little one grows too!You can use the code BOOBTOFOOD for 10% off your order until the end of September 2023. Visit www.thepurcshop.com or check out their Instagram for more info.Follow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com

Here at Boob to Food we are SO passionate about supporting gut health, and with good reason. But we get a lot of questions about why this is important, how to do it, and what to do if your child ever needs antibiotics or other medication that may upset their delicate microbiome. So in today’s episode we hand over to the brilliant Dr Elisa Song do break it down for you!Dr. Elisa Song, MD is an integrative paediatrician, paediatric functional medicine expert, and mum to 2 children. In her integrative paediatric practice, she’s helped 1000s of kids get to the root causes of their health concerns and helped their parents understand how to help their children thrive – body, mind, and spirit – by integrating conventional paediatrics with functional medicine. Dr. Song created Healthy Kids Happy Kids as an online holistic paediatric resource to help practitioners and parents bridge the gap between conventional and integrative paediatrics with an evidence-based, paediatrician-backed approach.In this podcast we cover:What exactly gut health entails, why it is important and how it developsProactive ways we can support gut health each dayThe function and impact of antibiotics, as well as when they are and aren’t indicatedHow to support our child’s microbiome follow a course of antibiotics or other medicationsand so much more!Dr Elisa Song is a wealth of knowledge on so many topics relating to children’s health, and we highly recommend you connect with her on Instagram or visit her website www.healthykidshappykids.comToday’s episode was brought to you by the Boob to Food Online Clinic  where you will find the support you need for you, your baby, child or whole family - no matter where you are on your journey. Our team of 6 brilliant naturopaths and nutritionists were hand picked by Kate and Luka and are all highly skilled in the areas of women’s and children’s health, infant nutrition, pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. Together, we'll delve into nutrition, herbal supplements, lifestyle changes, targeted testing, customised dietary recommendations, and more. To view our offerings, book your appointment or schedule a free discovery call with one of our practitioners visit www.boobtofood.com/clinicFollow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com

On our 30th episode of Boob to Food the podcast we interview the beautiful and incredibly knowledgable Dr Eliza Hannam on all things growth charts. We receive so many questions from worried families who have been given various recommendations based on their child’s percentile… but is the number on the chart really such a good indicator? And what even is normal development? We let Dr Eliza fill you in!Dr Eliza Hannam is a GP, board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) and Possums Neuroprotective Care accredited practitioner. As a GP, her work is predominantly in womens and childrens health and perinatal care. She is also a Mum of 3 gorgeous kids - aged 7, 4.5 and 1, so understands first hand the challenges and worry that parents can experience.In this podcast we cover:what growth charts are and the purpose of themwhen there would be concern with a growth chart and if the numbers really matterwhat do do if a child is “dropping off” the chartsnormal weight gain for infantsthoughts around starting solids early if a child is a low percentile or not gaining weightthe importance of looking at the bigger picture and red flags to be aware ofand so much more!If you’re lucky enough to be in Sydney you can find Dr Eliza at Nurtured Medical in Annandale, but she does have a number of online offerings as well and shares invaluable and supportive information on her instagram.Today’s episode was brought to you by Bio-First. Bio-First is an Australian Family brand, who wanted better options for their family and to help as many people as possible. All products are manufactured locally within Australia. Their products are genuinely natural with no nasties like phthalates, petrochemicals, synthetics or chemical solvents, as well as being free of irritants and designed for little, hypersensitive skin and dermatologist certifiedBio-First have a range of skin and immune products for the whole family. You can use the code BOOBTOFOOD for 15% OFF the entire range. Visit www.bio-first.com.auFollow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com

Are you pregnant? Or wanting to support someone close to you who is? Then look no further than today’s episode. There is so much emphasis on the pregnancy and everything that baby needs once they arrive, but what about the mother? In this huge time of transition and change it is VITAL that we focus our attention back on mum’s needs - not just when they arise, but before baby is even here. And our beautiful guest Naomi Chrisoulakis has all the wisdom on how we can do this.Naomi is a postpartum doula and cook who lives with her husband and two children in the Illawarra region of NSW. She believes every woman deserves a postpartum period that's restful, rejuvenating and respectful of the massive transition into motherhood - and we couldn’t agree more!In this podcast we cover:Why it is important to plan for the postpartum periodPractical strategies to get prepared and when we should be implementing themSupporting our mental health and protection boundaries in the postpartum periodHow to safeguard our relationship and get on the same page with our partnerHow we can navigate boundaries and asking for help with our family and friends, as well as who you might want to have around in the early days postpartumand so much more!Naomi is such a passionate advocate for women in the postpartum period, and has many incredible offerings and resources to guide and support you along the way. Not to mention her delicious lactation cookies… because one handed snacks while holding a baby are life!SOME ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WE MENTION OR YOU MIGHT ENJOYPlay Yum couples card gameNaomi’s incredible postpartum e-cookbookNaomi’s delicious lactation cookie mixToday's episode is brought to you by Mayde Tea. Mayde Tea was born out of a deep love for the natural healing properties of plants by naturopath Kate Dalton. The teas have been hand blended using certified organic ingredients and are free from artificial colours and flavours and delivered in recyclable packaging. It is impossible to pick a favourite from their range, but we are particularly obsessed with their nursing tea which is perfect for new mum’s (while also supporting bub!), as well as their chai latte - you have to try it!Use the code BOOBTOFOOD for 15% off your order until the end of August. Visit maydetea.comFollow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com

Welcome to another BONUS episode of Boob to Food the Podcast with our wonderful occupational therapist Rachael Smith. So many families reach out to us regarding food throwing and high chair refusal - why it happens, and most importantly, how to prevent it! So in today’s episode, Rach dives into her insights and some practical tips to avoid those mealtime battles.For those who don’t knowRachael, she is a mum to her daughter Olive, a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, and the owner of Therapy Time, a private practice based in Brisbane. Even before having her own family, she has always been passionate about taking a big picture approach to child development. Rachael strongly believes that what we eat has a huge impact on everything and sees this everyday in her clinical practice (and at home).Meal times are a big deal for our little ones, and they require a lot of sensory, fine motor, oral motor, and behavioural skills. With her gentle, kind and empowering approach Rachael equips parents with a toolkit full of responsive, evidence-based and family-centered strategies.In this podcast we cover:Reasons why our children might throw food and what they could be trying to communicateAge appropriate strategies for reducing food throwing and meal time battlesWhat a realistic expectation is of our child for joining us at the tableand so much more.SOME ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WE MENTION OR YOU MIGHT ENJOYKey Word Sign AustraliaKey Word Sign Australia on instagramToday’s episode is brought to you by Grabease. These are our absolute favourite baby dinnerware and utensils made specifically for little hands at different ages and stages. Grabease offer a full range of thoughtful and developmental baby feeding products, all made from high-quality, non-toxic, food-grade materials. All Grabease products have also been made in consultation with Paediatric Feeding Specialists, Paediatric Dentists and Occupational Therapists - and of course loved by the families who use them! Our OT Rachael also highly recommends them to our community and her own clients.You can use the code BOOBTOFOOD for 10% off your order. Visit grabease.com.au to place your order today.Follow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com

Have you been trying to minimise your grocery spend? Feeling guilty when you throw out all of those tired looking vegetables and sad, old leftovers at the end of the week? Don’t know where to start with preparing simple and nourishing meals for your family? Today’s guest is here to help, one bendy carrot at a time! There are also many very funny food confessions from Luka (and a few appropriately timed f-bombs, so just be mindful around your little people).Alex Elliott-Howery is the founder of Cornersmith cafe in Sydney, an author, educator and food waste advocate. Alex co-founded Cornersmith cafe and cooking school with her husband James in 2012. She has built a thriving business that brings knowledge once shared around kitchen tables to educate and advocate for changes in our homes as well as in our food systems, bringing local solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing our planet. Alex has co-written 4 best-selling cookbooks: Cornersmith, Salads and Pickles, and Use it All, and The Food Saver’s A-Z - they’re some of our favourites on our shelf and we HIGHLY recommend you get your hands on a copy too.In this podcast we cover:Some of the biggest issues facing families regarding food waste and the broader impact this has globallyPractical tips to help create nourishing meals when you struggle with what to cook (and how to make it less daunting)Some of the simple and quirky ways we can use what we have to minimise our food spend and food wasteand so much more!Alex is absolutely hilarious and we loved this conversation with her and everything else she puts out into the world. You can connect with her on instagram or find out more about her classes, cafe and cookbooks on the Cornersmith website.Today's episode is brought to you by Subo. The Subo food bottles are a favourite item in both Luka and Kate’s household - not only easy for the kids to use, but mess free and portable! The food bottle is quick and easy to fill with everything from purees, yogurt, smoothies, porridge and more. As your child sips the soft silicon (BPA-free) spout, the food rises up the bottle, one perfect-sized mouth full at a time. Unlike many other single-use food pouches, the innovative design means the food bottle does not need to be squeezed to access the contents. Instead, your child can feed themselves, anywhere, anytime and on the go - no mess, no fuss, no waste. We are also so excited to have just released a limited edition Boob to Food collaboration bottle in our green and pink brand colours! You can use the code BOOBTOFOOD for 10% off your order. Visit suboproducts.com.auFollow us on instagram @boobtofood to stay up to date with all the podcast news, recipes and other content that we bring to help make meal times and family life easier.Visit www.boobtofood.com for blogs and resources, to book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners and more.Presented by Luka McCabe and Kate HolmTo get in touch please email podcast@boobtofood.com