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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

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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

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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

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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.

Today I’m joined by Abbie Kadom, founder of Hope-Amel, a Dubai-based non-profit organisation supporting Mothers and families who are struggling and in need of support. This year marks 5 years since Hope-Amel was founded, and in this special episode, we reflect on its beginnings, impact, and what lies ahead.

Abbie shares the deeply personal and tragic story that led her to start Hope-Amel, and how she channelled her own struggles into a mission to support others.

We discuss:

• The emotional backstory behind Hope-Amel's founding
• A story of hope for single Mothers
• What it's like to support others while still healing yourself
• The realities of running a grassroots organisation in the UAE
• Hope-Amel’s mission and milestones over the past five years
• Abbie’s message for anyone looking to find purpose
• How to help others in need in the UAE
• What to do with old householder baby items in UAE

This is an incredibly moving and inspiring conversation that shines a light on the strength found in vulnerability, and the hope that can grow from even the darkest of places.

Links:
Hope-Amel Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/602454400745177
Hope-Amel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_amel_uae_/

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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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.

Today I am joined by Louise Hurley from @parentprospercoaching - a certified parenting coach, former teacher, and mum of two, based in Dubai. Louise specialises in helping parents in the UAE build calmer, more connected relationships with their toddlers.

In this episode, we’re diving into the realities of toddlerhood, especially for expat families raising young children in Dubai and across the UAE. Louise shares her journey from confident educator to overwhelmed mum, and how she turned things around using parenting strategies rooted in child development research.

We discuss:

• Why toddlerhood is such an emotionally intense phase (for both parents and children!)
• Saying 'no' when you really want to avoid a meltdown
• Why your child’s behaviour is linked to how they feel, not just what they “know”
• How to build confidence in shy children
• How to support the more sensitive and strong-willed toddlers
• Tantrums, meltdowns, big emotions... whatever you want to call it, it's intense for parents and kids, how should we navigate these?

If you're looking for toddler parenting support in Dubai or the wider UAE, this episode is a must-listen.

Links:

Parent Prosper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parentprospercoaching/

Parent Prosper Website: https://www.parentprospercoaching.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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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.

Today I am joined by Simone Mazloumian, Mother of 4 and Founder of Eklektik Mama in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Simone grew up as a third culture kid, moving around multiple countries before settling in the UAE when she was 10 years old. Once she had her children she decided to move back to Abu Dhabi and set up the support network that she wished she had during her pregnancies and postpartum, Eklektik Mama.

In this episode we discuss:

• Growing up as an expat, and what we can learn from her experience when bringing up our own third-culture kids
• Abu Dhabi and what it's like to live in Abu Dhabi as a family
• Maternal depression and the loneliness of expat motherhood
• Creating Eklektik Mama and the fabulous support and events that it provides the Mums of Abu Dhabi

Links:

Eklektik Mama Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eklektikmama/

Eklektik Mama Website: https://eklektikmama.com/

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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Todays episode is sponsored by Wittles. Ice lollies made from fruits and veggies, no baddies!

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.

Today I'm welcoming back my first ever return guest, Lisa from Lullabies. If you haven't listened to our previous episode, we spoke before about sleep coaching and Lisa's background as a pediatric nurse, and what it was like to work in Saudi.

Since then, Lisa has gained a certification as a Lactation Consultant, she leads baby massage classes, well baby clinics, and has teamed up with @thefitmidwife to start Dubai's first NCT-style antenatal class, Birth & Beyond.

When my new Mum friends ask who they need to follow/know in Dubai, the first person who springs to mind is Lisa!

In this episode we go off on all sorts of tangents including:

• Top tips for Mums wanting to breastfeed
• What to expect in the NCT-style antenatal classes 'Birth and Beyond'
• Maternal mental health
• The transition from nursing to business owner

Links:

Wittles Website: https://www.thewittlefactory.com/

Wittles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewittlefactory/

Lullabies Website: https://lullabies.ae/

Lullabies Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lullabiesdxb/

Episode 6 (my first episode with Lisa): https://www.buzzsprout.com/2183877/episodes/13244329

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