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What is really happening at six weeks with your baby and what can you expect from this important stage?
In this episode of Sense by Meg Faure, Meg checks in with paediatrician Dr Nellie Balfour as she continues to navigate life with her second baby, Uyakile. At six weeks old, he is already showing some fascinating differences from his older brother, from his temperament and sleep to his social engagement.
Nellie shares what it feels like to be a second-time mum, why she feels more confident this time around and how experience has changed the way she responds to the inevitable challenges of newborn life.
Meg and Nellie explore the six-week developmental window, including early smiles, tummy time and eye contact. They also dive into the fascinating idea of sensory personality, comparing Nellie’s firstborn’s slow-to-warm-up temperament with her new baby’s more settled and potentially social nature.
It’s an honest, reassuring snapshot of life with a six-week-old and another beautiful chapter in Nellie’s real-time journey through pregnancy, birth and early motherhood.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
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Why being a second-time mum can feel very different from the first time
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What babies may be doing developmentally around six weeks
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When babies typically begin showing their social smile
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Why tummy time, eye contact, head lifting and visual tracking matter
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How temperament and sensory personality can begin to emerge
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The difference between a slow-to-warm-up baby, a settled baby and a potential social butterfly
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What breastfeeding can look like when exclusive breastfeeding isn’t possible
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The emotional side of breastfeeding and stopping breastfeeding
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What happens during a typical six-week paediatric check-up
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Why growth curves matter more than focusing on a single weight
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How Nellie’s experience as both a paediatrician and a mother shapes her parenting journey
CHAPTERS
01:00 Why the second baby feels differentNellie explains why she feels more confident and less anxious this time around.
03:20 The six-week fussiness phase Is Uyakile fussy? Nellie compares his temperament and sleep with her firstborn.
05:50 The six-week smile When does the social smile appear and is that early smile really a smile?
07:15 Tummy time, head control and eye contact The early developmental milestones Uyakile is already showing.
08:00 Two brothers, two very different temperaments Why Nellie thinks one child may be a slow-to-warm-up baby while the other could become a social butterfly.
09:00 Understanding sensory personality Meg explains how sensory sensitivity, fussiness and social engagement can relate to temperament.
13:00 Breastfeeding, formula and mixed feeding Nellie shares honestly about feeding her second baby and managing her milk supply.
15:25 The emotional side of breastfeeding Why stopping breastfeeding can feel like a genuine loss and why the “lasts” of motherhood can be emotional.
21:30 The six-week paediatric check-up What parents can expect from the appointment, including vaccinations, growth, feeding and developmental checks.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr Nellie Balfour is a paediatrician and mother of two. She returns to Sense by Meg Faure for the 6-week update, following her earlier appearances during her pregnancy and the unexpected birth.
Follow Dr Nellie Balfour on Instagram
ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST
Sense by Meg is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance. Hosted by OT, author and parenting expert Meg Faure, each episode brings together expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.
Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.
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