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.

Today, we’re diving deep into a topic that many parents grapple with: why we might still be rocking or feeding our older babies and toddlers to sleep, even now that they’re beyond the newborn stage. Let me just say this upfront: this is a non-judgmental space. No guilt, no shame—just exploration, awareness, and empowerment.

If you know me or follow me online, you know I’m all about minimising stress in parenting. My ultimate goal is to help you thrive—whatever that looks like for you. Parenting is not one-size-fits-all, and your emotional well-being matters just as much as your child’s. Stress impacts the quality of your parenting, and what works for you is just as important as what works for your child.

This episode is all about bringing awareness to why we do what we do during sleep time and giving ourselves the grace to ask, “Does this still align with me? Does this still feel good?” Because, as we know, nothing changes if nothing changes. Once we’re aware of why we’re doing something, we have the power to decide: do we want to continue, or is it time to pivot?

Here’s what we’ll unpack in today’s conversation:

1. Choice vs. Habit: Are we rocking or feeding to sleep because it aligns with our values, or is it something we feel “stuck” doing out of habit or fear?
2. Knowledge Gaps: Understanding how self-soothing and natural sleep processes evolve in babies and toddlers, and how we can nurture this growth while staying responsive.
3. Parenting Mindset: Recognising if control, fear, or societal pressure is playing a role in our sleep routines—and how to break free of those cycles.
4. The Role of Support: Why a lack of support, whether from a partner, community, or resources, can make these routines feel like the only option.
5. Empowerment Through Awareness: How to read your child’s cues more clearly, trust yourself as a parent, and step into a confident, balanced approach to sleep.

If today’s episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your insights or questions with me, and let’s keep this conversation going. Until next time, Thrivers—keep growing, keep thriving, and know that you’re doing an amazing job. 🌟

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 39 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.

Welcome Thrivers! I’m so excited to bring you another guest episode of Thriving Parenting. Today, I’m joined by the incredible Rachel Lee, an award-winning photographer, mom of three boys, and a passionate advocate for embracing the full spectrum of motherhood—the beautiful, challenging, and everything in between.

In this episode, Rachel and I dive into her deeply personal journey of motherhood, beginning with the struggles she faced as a first-time mom. She shares how a traumatic birth, sleep deprivation, and breastfeeding challenges made her question whether she was cut out for parenting. Over time, Rachel reframed her mindset, learning to embrace the ups and downs of motherhood and finding joy in the process.

Rachel also opens up about her decision to expand her family, her approach to navigating hard seasons, and how her perspective shifted with each child. She candidly discusses her experience with overwhelming health challenges and her transformative decision to undergo a hysterectomy—a choice that profoundly improved her quality of life and parenting journey.

We also talk about Rachel’s powerful passion project, The Colors of Motherhood. This photography series captures the raw, unspoken realities of motherhood and pairs them with stories from moms of diverse backgrounds. Rachel shares how this project helps validate the hard emotions of motherhood, fosters connection, and gives voice to feelings often left unspoken.

Throughout this episode, Rachel and I reflect on how motherhood reshapes our identities, teaches us about resilience, and challenges us to seek support and let go of perfectionism.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The emotional rollercoaster of becoming a first-time mom
• Reframing challenges and embracing the seasons of motherhood
• How each child brings a unique experience and healing
• Rachel’s journey through chronic health struggles and the decision to have a hysterectomy
• The inspiration and stories behind The Colors of Motherhood project
• Practical self-care tips for busy moms (yes, including how a keep-cup can be life-changing!)
• Why asking for help is an act of courage, not failure

About Rachel Lee:

Rachel Lee is a mum of 3 zestful boys, who are 8, 6 and 3 who teach her how to enjoy the moment, even when it’s full body tackles. Her motherhood experiences have been both joyful and challenging and through parenting her boys, she has discovered more about herself than she ever expected. She is also the creative force, founder and photographer behind Scribbly Gum Photography. She is an International award-winning photographer, and most recently, also received the Illawarra Women in Business award for Outstanding Customer Service.

Rachel has a deep passion for capturing the essence of motherhood in all it’s forms - motherhood is more than the beautiful moments of love and connection. She has created a Colours of Motherhood Magazine. This is a collection of stories from a diverse group of mums, who have each shared a challenge they have faced in motherhood. Rachel has created an image to represent the feelings each mum faced when navigating their challenge. She created this magazine to try and start to change the narrative of experiencing challenges in motherhood as common, and not have it being equated to personal failings. She hopes that mums reading it will see that they are not alone in their feelings and experiences.

Rachel is also a volunteer photographer for Heartfelt, an organisation that provides photography services for families who have experienced stillbirths, premature births or have children with terminal illnesses. For these families, photography can be an important part of their healing process. Rachel has also supported and trained newer photographers starting their volunteer journey with Heartfelt.

Prior to...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Thriving Parenting! Today, we’re thrilled to have Dr. Bianca Mastromano, a clinical perinatal psychologist, joining us to talk all things parenting and emotional development. Dr. Bianca, also a mother of two, brings a unique perspective shaped by her extensive experience in clinical and forensic psychology. She shares her journey from studying forensic psychology to her current passion: supporting parents through the early stages of parenthood and helping them nurture their children’s emotional wellbeing.

What Bianca is sharing today is intended to be educational in nature and not to replace individualised assessment or treatment of mental health concerns. Bianca encourages anyone needing individualised support to speak with their GP so that they can access whatever support they may need.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Importance of Emotional Development
• Dr. Bianca explains how children, from babyhood to toddlerhood, undergo key emotional development stages. She highlights the importance of recognising nonverbal cues, like mirroring our child’s emotions, to foster connection and resilience.
• Balancing Boundaries and Emotions
• We dive into the delicate balance of setting boundaries while supporting our child’s emotional expression. Dr. Bianca assures us that children need safe spaces for big feelings and provides insights on holding boundaries without suppressing emotions.
• Managing Societal Pressures
• From societal expectations to social media standards, today’s parents are often bombarded with the notion of raising the “perfect” child. Dr. Bianca shares practical tips on tuning out external pressures and nurturing our parenting intuition.
• Emotion Coaching Explained
• Learn about the concept of emotion coaching—identifying, validating, and connecting with your child’s emotions. Dr. Bianca emphasises that it’s not about getting it perfect every time but about showing up with empathy and understanding.
• Rupture and Repair
• Dr. Bianca reassures us that it’s okay if we don’t always get it right. The idea of “rupture and repair” is key: even if we lose our cool, it’s possible to reconnect and strengthen our relationship with our child through repair.
• Embracing Our Own Parenting Journeys
• Throughout the episode, we discuss the importance of self-compassion in parenting. Dr. Bianca encourages parents to reflect on their own childhood experiences and let go of unhelpful patterns, helping us create a nurturing environment for ourselves and our children.

You can find Dr. Bianca Mastromano on Instagram @drbiancamastromano or on her website at drbiancamastromano.com.au, where she shares valuable resources and insights for parents.

Tune in for this heartfelt episode that encourages us to embrace the beauty of imperfect parenting!

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 36 Show Notes

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

Welcome back to Thriving Parenting! In this episode, I dive into a topic close to every parent’s heart – the power of connection. Through a personal journey, I share how embracing small moments of connection shifted my parenting approach and made a tangible difference in my relationship with my children.

1. The Weight of the Invisible Load: Parenting comes with an immense invisible load that can feel overwhelming. As parents, we juggle endless responsibilities, from providing nutritious meals to ensuring developmental milestones are met. I unpack how this invisible “backpack” often distracts us from meaningful connection with our kids.
2. Mini Moments of Connection: Connection doesn’t have to mean hours of focused time. Small pockets of connection – even just 10 minutes – can fill our children’s need for attention and nurture a happier relationship. I discuss how these brief, intentional moments create a sense of security for both parent and child, making day-to-day parenting smoother and less reactive.
3. Fulfilling Our Own Needs: Parenthood isn’t just about being there for our children; it’s about ensuring we, as parents, have our needs met too. I share personal insights on the importance of self-care, whether it’s through movement, a brief moment alone, or setting boundaries that allow us to recharge and show up better for our children.
4. Connection as a Parenting Strategy: So often, we focus on strategies to manage behaviour without addressing the foundational need for connection. In this episode, I explain how building a “connection loop” enables us to hold boundaries with ease and navigate parenting challenges with more empathy and resilience.
5. Bringing Self-Compassion into Parenting: Parenting is tough, especially in today’s world where “the village” is often absent. I encourage listeners to offer themselves the same compassion they show to their children. You are doing a fantastic job, and your child is lucky to have you.

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 35 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.