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35-minute naps, feeding to sleep, co-sleeping, contact naps and the dreaded “you're making a rod for your own back” 🙄

If you've ever found yourself Googling wake windows at 2am or wondering whether cuddling your baby to sleep is somehow ruining their future sleep habits, this one's for you.

This week I'm joined by Lexi, founder of Sleepy Bears and the lovely lady who's been helping me navigate Gracie's sleep.

We get into ALL of it. The pressure to have a baby who sleeps through the night, why those 35-minute naps happen (honestly, where are these babies having two-hour naps?!), and whether we really need to be worrying about all these so-called bad habits.

We also chat about safe co-sleeping, responsive sleep support, the difference between being overtired and dysregulated, and why you absolutely don't need to follow every bit of parenting advice thrown your way.

I also open up about my own experience with severe sleep deprivation after having Gracie and just how much it affected my mental health.

Plus, Lexi answers your questions from the Kin Club, including sibling bedtimes, dropping naps and what to do when both toddlers want mum at the same time.

Basically, a good old natter about baby sleep, without the judgement or another impossible routine to follow.

Because if it's safe, it's working for your family and everyone's happy, do we really need to change it?

A huge thank you to Sublime Nursing for helping with Gracie whilst we recorded. A little bit of childcare meant I could actually sit down and finish a conversation for once!

Find Lexi & Sleepy Bears 💤

📲 Follow Lexi on Instagram:
@sleepy.bearsco

💤 Want a little help with your baby's sleep? Book a FREE sleep discovery call with Lexi:
https://www.sleepybearsco.com/booking-calendar/free-sleep-discovery-call

Free Baby Sleep Guides 📖

Because we could all do with a little less Googling at 2am!

⏰ Free Wake Window Guide

Confused about how long your baby should be awake between naps? Lexi's free guide is a great place to start.

https://sleepybears.myflodesk.com/wakewindows

🌅 Free Early Waking Guide

For anyone whose baby has decided 5am is a perfectly reasonable time to start the day. 😂

https://sleepybears.myflodesk.com/earlywaking

Safer Sleep Resources 🛏️

For evidence-based safer sleep guidance, including information about co-sleeping, visit The Lullaby Trust:

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/

Lots of love,

Millie x

Support the show

Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae

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Ok… I admit it. I need a nanny 😂

In this episode, I’m joined by Milda, founder of WeNanny, to talk all about finding, hiring and building a good relationship with a nanny here in the UAE.

We chat about where to even start, what to look for, the importance of finding someone who is willing to learn, cultural differences, communication, trust, training and why we can’t expect someone to walk into our home and automatically know exactly how we want our children to be cared for.

We also talk about positive parenting, encouraging independence as our children grow, giving feedback and the slightly scary realisation that when you hire a nanny, you also become somebody’s employer and manager.

And in true mum-life fashion, Gracie joins us for parts of the episode, so expect a few snuffles, cries and interruptions along the way 😂

If you’re looking for a nanny, thinking about hiring one or already have one and want to build a stronger relationship, this episode is for you.

Milda just released an E-book called "Complete UAE Nanny Hiring Guide"! You can ping we_nanny on instagram and she will send you a copy!

Find WeNanny:

Insta: We_nanny
https://www.wenanny.ae/

Support the show

Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae

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How to Not Hate Your Husband After Having a Baby with Dr Ola Pykhtina

We love our husbands… obviously 😂 But becoming parents can completely change the dynamic of a relationship.

This week I’m joined by psychologist Dr Ola Pykhtina from The Wellness Hub in Dubai to talk about the side of postpartum relationships that we probably don’t speak about enough.

We chat about the mental load of motherhood, resentment, postpartum rage, communication after having a baby, intimacy, why “just tell me what you need” isn’t always helpful, and how dads can be involved right from the beginning.

Dr Ola also shares practical tools from the Gottman Method and tells us more about the Bringing Baby Home programme for couples navigating the transition into parenthood.

Links mentioned:

Dr Ola / The Wellness Hub
https://wellnesshub.ae/

Bringing Baby Home
https://wellnesshub.ae/couple-therapy-parenting/#bbh

The men’s brains vs women’s brains video I mention in the episode 😂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XjUFYxSxDk

Dr Ola's Instagram: @drolapykhtina

Wellness Hub Instagram: @wellnesshub.ae

Dr Ola's Podcast: Wellness Hub Feminine Power

Support the show

Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae

Join The Kin Club Whatsapp group! Be part of the conversation...

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In this episode of Next of Kin: The Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Rafif Tayara, paediatric dentist, mum of three and founder of The Pediatric Academy.

We chat about her whole-child approach to paediatric dentistry and why oral health is about so much more than just teeth. We get into breathing, sleep, feeding, dummies, jaw development, first dental visits and some of the things we can look out for as parents.

I also put some of your Kin Club questions to Dr Tayara, including thumb sucking, overnight feeding and when to start brushing your baby’s teeth.

Today’s episode is kindly sponsored by The Pediatric Academy, an evidence-based educational platform bringing together trusted guidance and resources from healthcare professionals across different paediatric specialties.

There are also some brilliant guides and free resources available for parents.

All mums can also receive 20% off at Junior Dental Clinic, where Dr Rafif Tayara practises.

Links:

Dr Rafif Tayara: @doctortayara

The Pediatric Academy:
www.thepediatricacademy.com

Junior Dental Clinic:
www.juniordental.ae

Parent Guides:
https://thepediatricacademy.com/en/for-parents/guides

Order Dr Tayara’s book:
https://rafiftayara.com/order-my-book

Follow:
@nextofkin.ae
@millie_french_

A big thank you to The Pediatric Academy for sponsoring this episode, and to Dr Rafif Tayara for coming on for a natter with me!

Support the show

Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae

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This week on Next of Kin: The Podcast, I’m joined by Lisa Adair, founder of Lullabies, and honestly, this is an episode I needed as a new mum myself!

Lisa has over 20 years of experience as a NICU nurse and is now an IBCLC lactation consultant and paediatric sleep consultant here in the UAE. She supports families through everything from breastfeeding and sleep to baby massage, antenatal education and starting solids.

We get really honest about those exhausting early months of motherhood and the pressure that comes with feeling like you’re constantly doing something “wrong”.

We chat about newborn sleep, co-sleeping, breastfeeding, milk supply, comfort sucking and the endless opinions new mums can receive about how they feed and settle their babies.

Lisa also explains the difference between a baby being “overtired” and being dysregulated, why sometimes the best thing you can do is simply pick your baby up and help them feel calm, and why there really isn’t one perfect way to parent.

We also answer questions from the Kin Club, including what to do when your baby is fighting sleep, how to know whether your baby is actually feeding or comfort sucking, and the pressure mums can feel when choosing formula or breastfeeding.

And of course, we finish with the piece of parenting advice Lisa would happily see disappear forever...

“Don’t pick your baby up, you’ll spoil them.”

Spoiler: Lisa strongly disagrees!

In this episode, we talk about:

• What newborn sleep really looks like
• Co-sleeping and safe sleep
• Breastfeeding and milk supply
• Comfort sucking vs feeding
• The pressure around “breast is best”
• Formula feeding without guilt
• What to do when your baby is fighting sleep
• Overtiredness vs dysregulation
• How nursery can help with picky eating
• Why there is no one “right” way to parent
• Dealing with unsolicited parenting advice
• When it might be time to seek professional support

About Lisa

Lisa Adair is the founder of Lullabies and has over 20 years of experience as a NICU nurse. She is an IBCLC-certified lactation consultant and paediatric sleep consultant, supporting families across Dubai and the UAE.

You can find out more about Lisa and the support she offers at lullabies.ae.

Instagram: @lullabiesdxb

This episode is all about taking some of the pressure off and reminding you that if you’re in those exhausting early months wondering whether you’re doing it right, you probably are doing a much better job than you think. 🩷

Support the show

Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae

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So, How Did I End Up Here?

In this episode, I’m chatting about the whirlwind of the past year, from pregnancy and becoming a first-time mum to moving between the UAE and UK, navigating early motherhood and, somehow, taking over Next of Kin!

I’m sharing a little more about my journey so far, the reality of those early weeks with Gracie, and what you can expect from this new chapter of Next of Kin.

We’re talking:
• Pregnancy & motherhood
• Life as an expat in Dubai
• The highs and lows of those first few weeks
• Taking over Next of Kin
• What’s coming up on the podcast
• Friday morning play dates with MamaHub

Support the show

Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae

Join The Kin Club Whatsapp group! Be part of the conversation...

https://chat.whatsapp.com/CisHo03m0h80AS7WY6tqu0?s=cl&p=i&ilr=4

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SPONSORED BY MOM’S PURE MILK

Today’s episode is very kindly sponsored by Mom’s Pure Milk.

Next of Kin listeners can receive 10% off with code NOK10.

Mom’s Pure Milk: https://momspuremilk.com/

NEXT OF KIN THE PODCAST IS BACK!

Next of Kin The Podcast is back with a brand new chapter! In this special episode, Emma hands over the podcast and Next of Kin to Millie, a British expat, first-time mum and the new owner of Next of Kin, living between the UK and Dubai, UAE.

Join Emma and Millie for an honest catch-up as they chat about how they first met through nursery, how a chance TikTok video brought them back together, and why Millie decided to take on Next of Kin.

Millie shares her journey from Yorkshire to Dubai, meeting her Egyptian husband Mina, navigating an intercultural marriage and becoming a first-time mum to Gracie. We also talk about leaving Dubai while heavily pregnant, giving birth in the UK, solo parenting, postpartum mental health, sleep deprivation and the realities of being separated from your partner.

Emma also shares an update on Bonnie and reflects on her experience of having a high-needs baby, the pressures around baby sleep and parenting expectations, and why trusting your own instincts as a parent is so important.

Finally, we look ahead to the future of Next of Kin and what Millie has planned for the podcast and community.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Emma officially hands over Next of Kin and the podcast to Millie
• How Emma and Millie first met through nursery
• The TikTok video that brought them back together
• Millie’s journey from Yorkshire to Dubai
• Meeting Mina and navigating an intercultural marriage
• Becoming a first-time mum to Gracie
• Leaving Dubai while heavily pregnant
• Giving birth in the UK
• Solo parenting and being separated from your partner
• Postpartum mental health and sleep deprivation
• Emma’s update on Bonnie
• Life with a high-needs baby
• Baby sleep and the pressures placed on new mums
• Trusting your instincts as a parent
• The future of Next of Kin, the podcast and the community

FOLLOW NEXT OF KIN

Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae

FOLLOW MILLIE

Instagram: @millie_french_
TikTok: @millie_french_

FOLLOW EMMA

Instagram: @emmacoulter_

GET IN TOUCH

Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae

Support the show

Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae

Join The Kin Club Whatsapp group! Be part of the conversation...

https://chat.whatsapp.com/CisHo03m0h80AS7WY6tqu0?s=cl&p=i&ilr=4

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Next of Kin The Podcast is back with season 3! I'm your host Emma, a British Expat, Mumpreneur and toddler Mum, living in Dubai, UAE, and this podcast follows along my own journey raising my daughter and starting my first business.

In this solo episode, I invite you to join me on a journey through my personal reflections and life updates. From navigating the unexpected challenges of a road trip to Oman to embracing the joys and trials of motherhood in Dubai, I share candid insights into my struggle to balance it all with the ever changing needs and demands from work and family, adapting to the evolving dynamics of parenting, and my honest plan for the future.

Join me for an intimate catch-up as I wrap up season 3. Don't miss this engaging episode filled with relatable stories and valuable lessons for mums in Dubai.

Support the show

Website: https://nextofkin.ae
Instagram: @nextofkin.ae
Millie's Personal Instagram: @millie_french_
Millie's TikTok: @millie_french_
Emma's Instagram: @emmacoulter_
Email: podcast@nextofkin.ae

Join The Kin Club Whatsapp group! Be part of the conversation...

https://chat.whatsapp.com/CisHo03m0h80AS7WY6tqu0?s=cl&p=i&ilr=4