Ep 12. When Poor Sleep Changes the Brain — with Dr David McIntosh ENT

Ep 16. Why My Son’s Sleep Apnea Isn’t Gone: 5 Months After Surgery

Five months ago, my son had his tonsils and adenoids removed, along with grommets, after years of recurring ear infections, glue ear, and sleep apnea. This episode is a real-time update on where we are now. I’m sharing what’s improved (his growth, the reduction in snoring) but also what’s quietly crept back in. Because the truth is, surgery hasn’t been a full solution. I talk through our delayed post-op ENT review here in Cardiff, where I left feeling like my concerns weren’t properly addressed. His throat wasn’t examined, his ongoing (though reduced) apnea was brushed off, and I’ve since been chasing a follow-up plan, including trying to push for another sleep study. This episode is really about what happens after surgery. Because for us, it’s becoming clear that surgery creates an opportunity for change, but it’s not the end of the story. I share where my head is at with next steps: * myofunctional therapy (and why it feels daunting) * questions around ALF expansion and timing * the cost and practicality of all of this as a family * and the frustration of trying to piece together care across disconnected specialties If you want to go deeper, I’ve put together a simple airway health guide you can DM me the word CHECK on my Instagram @parentsofmouthbreathers [https://www.instagram.com/parentsofmouthbreathers/]

Ep 15. A Broader Approach to Airway Health with Dr. Jessica Lee

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Jessica Lee — an integrative ENT who trained in a conventional, surgery-focused medical system and realised that looking only at tonsils and adenoids wasn’t enough. She now approaches airway health through a broader lens — considering breathing patterns, growth curves, inflammation, immune health, gut health and collaboration across disciplines. We discuss sleep-disordered breathing as a spectrum, why children don’t go from “fine” to severe obstructive sleep apnea overnight, and the two questions that may predict airway concerns early — including why daytime mouth breathing matters. We also explore: • When tonsil and adenoid surgery is appropriate • Why surgery isn’t a failure — but isn’t always the whole answer • What a true multidisciplinary airway model looks like • The gut–airway connection and environmental factors • How parents can advocate without operating from fear This episode isn’t about pushing surgery. It’s about widening the lens, removing shame from the decision-making process, and helping parents feel more informed and less dismissed. If you’ve ever been told “snoring is normal” but something didn’t sit right, this conversation will give you context.

Ep 14. Talking Early Dental Interventions with Dr. Aiofe

I’m joined by Dr Aoife, a London/Kent-based dentist whose work sits at the intersection of tongue tie, early orthodontics, and airway health. We talk about early signs from birth, feeding mechanics (not just position), reflux and congestion, sleep disruption, why crooked teeth can be downstream of mouth breathing, and what’s often missing from the “expansion” conversation online. We also get into the reality: surgery can help in some cases, but it’s rarely the whole answer, airway issues are usually multifactorial and need a multidisciplinary approach. It's a practical conversation to help parents feel more informed and less dismissed.

Ep 13. Update on My Son's Tonsillectomy. Was the Surgery Worth It?

After nearly two years on the waiting list and months of trying everything else, my son finally had a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and grommets. This episode is my honest update. Not medical advice, not a tidy success story, just the reality of living through it as a parent. If you’re stuck in that awful in-between place, trying to avoid surgery but running out of alternatives, this one is for you. I share: * What led us to surgery after years of holistic and private treatments * What the surgery day and recovery were actually like (including a scary post-op complication) * The changes we’ve seen since hearing, sleep, infections, behaviour * What surgery helped with and what it didn’t * Why I now see surgery as one piece of a much bigger, multidisciplinary puzzle We talk openly about navigating the NHS, the confusion of conflicting advice, the cost of private care, and the emotional toll of constantly second-guessing yourself as a parent. I didn’t want surgery to be the answer, and I still don’t think it is the answer on its own. But it was part of our answer. If you’re questioning your next step, feeling alone in the decision, or wondering whether surgery is “worth it,” I hope this episode helps you feel less isolated and a little more informed. 💬 If you’re walking a similar path, you’re always welcome to message me and share your experience.

Ep 12. When Poor Sleep Changes the Brain — with Dr David McIntosh ENT

In this episode of Parents of Mouth Breathers, I’m joined by Dr David McIntosh, an Australian ENT (ear, nose & throat) surgeon and author of Snored to Death and Your Child’s Sleep Disorder Breathing. Dr McIntosh is internationally recognised for his work in paediatric airway health and sleep-disordered breathing. We dig into: * Why snoring and mouth breathing are never normal in children * The shocking truth that just six months of poor sleep can alter brain development * Why the phrase “they’ll grow out of it” is outdated and harmful * How “mild” sleep apnoea can still cause lasting brain and behavioural changes * The UK study of 12,000 children that changed how we understand airway health * The role of ENTs, airway dentists, allergy specialists, and myofunctional therapists in recovery * What parents can do while they wait for referrals and how to advocate effectively Dr David McIntosh — ENT Surgeon & Author Instagram: @drdavidmcintosh Resources mentioned * Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children (2012 UK cohort study) * Myofunctional therapy (OMT) and multidisciplinary follow-up If this episode helped you: 👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 follow Parents of Mouth Breathers.