Welcome to Thriving Parenting, the podcast where we explore the joys, challenges, and everything in between that comes with raising children. In this episode, I’m thrilled to sit down with Dr. Leon Levitt, a GP obstetrician with over 30 years of experience helping parents navigate the complexities of raising little ones.

Dr. Levitt is the co-director of Grantham House Medical Practice and the founder of Baby Steps Health, a multidisciplinary centre supporting babies and their families. He’s also the author of What Do I Do Now? The Basics of Parenting Babies Without Stress, a book designed to simplify parenting and help you embrace the process without the overwhelm.

Together, we unpack his philosophy on parenting with perspective, understanding your child’s developmental stages, and the importance of adjusting your parenting style as your child grows. We dive into:

• Why parenting needs a developmental perspective.
• The power of the pause and how it can transform your parenting responses.
• Addressing common parenting myths, like the instinct to “fix” every cry or tantrum.
• The importance of leading with joy and embracing the messiness of family life.
• Practical advice for navigating early parenthood and beyond, tailored to both you and your child’s unique needs.

Dr. Levitt offers a refreshing perspective that removes the pressure to get everything “right” and instead focuses on connection, kindness, and adapting to your child’s growth.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed as a parent, this episode is filled with wisdom and practical tips to help you parent with confidence and calm.

Dr Leon Levitt is an experienced GP Obstetrician who has been professionally changing nappies, settling babies, caring for young children and guiding parents for over 30 years.

In 2015 he founded the Baby Steps Health Centre, to reduce the challenges parents face in accessing quality care for their children.

He is the author of ‘What do I do now? Click here to access your copy The basics of parenting babies… without stress’, a book about common parental anxieties, and the overriding principles he uses in his medical practice to empower parents. Together with Dr Maria Kailis, he owns and works at Grantham House Family Medical Practice, a family friendly General Practice in Wembley.

I hope this episode resonates with you and offers the reassurance that you are doing an incredible job. Remember, don’t try to fix everything—be there, support, and find joy in the journey.

Until next time, Thrivers!

Welcome to another episode of Thriving Parenting! Today, I’m delving into an important yet often avoided topic: Where are we avoiding discomfort in our parenting? How might this avoidance be hindering both our growth and that of our children? I cannot wait to explore this topic with you, as it’s something I encounter often in my coaching and, admittedly, in my own parenting journey.

In this episode, I share a personal story about a situation where I avoided discomfort for a while, only to face it head-on with transformative results. I’ll provide a real-life example involving one of my children and discuss common areas where we, as parents, might try to sidestep discomfort. Together, we’ll reflect on whether these avoidance patterns truly serve us—or if they prevent us and our children from thriving.

We’ll examine:

• How avoiding discomfort might stop us from achieving the thriving life we desire for ourselves and our children.
• Key areas where this avoidance often shows up in parenting, such as managing big emotions, setting boundaries, and allowing mistakes.
• Practical strategies for embracing discomfort as a necessary part of growth and connection.

I also want to share a heartwarming testimonial from Andrea, a client who engaged with my Sleep Godmother program. She described her transformative experience in these words:

"Within a few days, our 15-month-old went from waking up 3–8 times a night to sleeping through or waking only once. Jen’s support was a game changer for our family."

Andrea’s story reminds me of how often discomfort arises during big changes. It’s relevant to this episode because, in helping families, I often see that transformation begins when we confront discomfort with courage and empathy.

Finally, I reflect on my recent parenting experience, where I helped my daughter transition away from thumb-sucking—a deeply ingrained habit. It required navigating her big emotions, setting firm but loving boundaries, and working through my own discomfort as a parent. The result? Watching her proudly declare, “Mum, I’m so proud of myself!”

This episode is a reminder that discomfort and growth go hand-in-hand. Whether it’s guiding our children through life’s challenges or embracing our own vulnerabilities, leaning into discomfort fosters resilience, connection, and understanding.

Thank you for tuning in! If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it truly helps this podcast reach more listeners. Don’t forget to share it with someone who might benefit from this message.

Until next time, Thrivers! Let’s embrace the discomfort, grow together, and keep thriving.

Are you ready to thrive in baby sleep? Click here for your FREE 15 minute sleep clarity session with Jen today! https://www.sleepthrivegrow.com/contact

Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 41 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit...

Welcome, Thrivers! In this exciting episode of Thriving Parenting, I sit down with the incredible Dr Kyla, a renowned Australian paediatric dietitian who specialises in fussy eating. If you've ever wondered how to navigate the tricky world of baby and toddler eating habits, this episode is a must-listen.

We dive deep into:

• The common causes of fussy eating in babies vs toddlers.
• How to find the balance between milk and solids at each age and stage.
• Signs to watch for that might indicate a need for extra support with your child's eating.
• Practical strategies for reducing mealtime anxiety (for both kids and parents!).
• Debunking myths about baby-led weaning and parental feeding styles.

Dr Kyla shares her expert insights, along with heartfelt stories about raising her own children, who are no strangers to fussy eating. She reminds us that every family’s feeding journey is unique and that it’s all about meeting your child where they are—not where you think they should be.

Whether you’re currently navigating fussy eating or want to prepare yourself for potential challenges, this episode is packed with relatable anecdotes and actionable advice.

About Dr. Kyla:

Dr Kyla is a Paediatric Dietitian, Mum of 2 and founder of the online subscriptions, Baby Mealtimes, Toddler

Mealtimes and Family Mealtimes. She has a PhD in childhood weight management and has worked extensively

with selective eaters. Kyla works to support families with starting solids, navigating fussy eating and raising

children who can be confident and adventurous eaters.

Resources:

Baby Mealtimes https://babymealtimes.com.au/

Toddler Mealtimes: https://toddlermealtimes.com.au/

Family Mealtimes https://familymealtimes.com.au

or mealtimes.com.au

Connect with Dr Kyla:

• Website: drkyla.com.au
• Instagram: @dr_kyla

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! It helps more Thrivers find our community. And as always, reach out to share your thoughts or questions about the topics we discuss.

Join us next week as we tackle toddler tantrums and how to keep your cool in the chaos. Until next time, keep thriving!

Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 40 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.