The Updates Impacting Family Health In NSW

Sleep and the Rhythm of Real Life

Sleep is one of the most talked about parts of early parenting, yet it's rarely as simple as following a routine or sticking to a schedule. In this special episode of Things Nobody Tells You from our Kiindred LIVE event, Emmy is joined by Chris Minogue, Kiindred's OG sleep expert, and Steph Luck, mum of four, for an honest and practical conversation about baby sleep, daily rhythms and navigating the reality of raising children in a busy world. Together, they unpack why there's no one size fits all approach to sleep, how to recognise tired cues, the difference between daily rhythms and rigid routines, and why flexibility is essential when juggling multiple children, school runs, soccer practice and everything in between. They explore the witching hour, the feed bath feed sequence that can transform evenings from six weeks onwards, the myth of sleeping through the night, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is simply pick up your baby. This episode is for any parent navigating sleepless nights, feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, juggling multiple children, or simply needing reassurance that what works for your family is enough. Because sleep is never just about sleep. It's about balance, flexibility, knowing your baby, trusting yourself and giving yourself permission to change and evolve as your family grows.

Building Connection From Birth

Connection with our children begins long before they can speak, and it continues to unfold in unexpected ways throughout every stage of parenting. In this special episode of Things Nobody Tells You from our Kiindred LIVE event, Emmy brings together Sarah Marie and Gen Muir from Connected Parenting for an honest conversation about bonding with our kids from birth onwards. Together, they unpack the science behind early attachment, why babies are wired to seek connection from their very first days and how that bond unfolds differently for every parent and every child. They explore the pressure so many of us feel to experience instant love, the reality of postnatal depression and anxiety, and why relationships with our children take time to develop in their own unique way. This episode is for any parent navigating the early years, feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to get it all right, or simply needing a reminder that you are enough and your child just wants you. Because connection is not about getting it right all the time. It is about showing up, meeting your child where they are, and remembering that more often than not, what they really want is you.

The Child Behind the Behaviour: What Meltdowns Are Really Telling Us

Behaviour is communication, but in the middle of a meltdown, it can be really hard to remember that. In this episode of Things Nobody Tells You, Emmy sits down with clinical psychologist Emily Hanlon for a practical and deeply reassuring conversation on just this. Together, they unpack why anger is often a secondary emotion, how anxiety can show up in unexpected ways and why emotional regulation is not something children learn to do alone. It is something we support them through, starting with ourselves. This episode is for any parent navigating meltdowns, shutdowns, big feelings or the daily chaos of raising kids.

Feeding Kids Without the Pressure

Feeding kids can feel surprisingly loaded. From fussy eating and food refusal to lunchbox pressure, hidden veggies, dessert negotiations and the endless question of whether your child is eating “enough”, mealtimes can quickly become one of the most stressful parts of parenting. In this episode of Things Nobody Tells You, we’re joined by paediatric feeding specialist Mandy Adno for a reassuring and practical conversation about feeding kids without the pressure. Mandy unpacks why fussy eating is so common, what neophobia actually means, and why so much of feeding is about more than the food on the plate. Together, we explore the pressure parents often feel at mealtimes, the division of responsibility between parent and child, sensory preferences, food exposure, lunchbox comparison, meal planning, treats, dessert and knowing when fussy eating may need extra support. This episode is for any parent who has ever counted mouthfuls, negotiated “just one more bite”, hidden vegetables in pasta sauce, worried about what comes home in the lunchbox, or quietly wondered if something feels off. Because feeding is never just about food. It’s about bodies, confidence, connection, trust and taking the pressure off everyone at the table.

The Updates Impacting Family Health In NSW

Navigating healthcare as a parent can feel overwhelming. The endless questions, the waiting lists, the late-night uncertainty about whether something is urgent, and the pressure of knowing when to seek help. In this episode, Emmy sits down with Ryan Park, NSW Minister for Health, for an honest and practical conversation about the changes helping families access care more easily. From urgent care clinics that can help families avoid unnecessary emergency department visits, to virtual care options available in the middle of the night, they unpack what parents need to know when they are trying to make the right call for their child. They also discuss ADHD reforms and the shift towards more support through GPs, the needle-free flu vaccine for children who are terrified of needles and the growing focus on making healthcare more accessible for families. The conversation also explores birth trauma, the new Chief Midwife role and why so many women still feel unheard during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Ryan also shares more about the Raise It program, which empowers patients and families to speak up when something does not feel right, as well as changes allowing pharmacies to treat uncomplicated UTIs, helping women access care faster and more easily. This is an informative conversation for any parent trying to navigate the health system, advocate for their child and access care without the overwhelm. Ryan’s message is clear: trust your gut, know your options and use the resources available to you. Healthdirect: 1800 022 222