Many parents don't realise children's eye tests aren't routinely included in standard development checks. It's a postcode lottery and the onus often falls on parents to make sure their children's eye health isn't overlooked.

In this, we speak to Senior Optometrist Dr Nigel Best from Specsavers, who shares expert insights on children's vision, including:

✔️ When to book your child's first eye test
✔️ Why waiting for problems to appear might be too late
✔️ The surprising link between outdoor time and short-sightedness

If you're a parent, carer, or work with children, this is a vital listen. Early eye care can make a world of difference.

Doctor Nigel Best joined Specsavers as a resident optometrist in 1993 after graduating from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.

Nigel has worked closely with editorial teams across the optical industry. He was formerly a member of the ‘Optometry in Practice’ editorial board and has published a number of papers in peer-reviewed journals.

In recognition of his work in the industry, Nigel was awarded a Fellowship of the British Contact Lens Association in 2009, followed in 2010 with a Fellowship of the American Academy of Optometry.

Alongside his Professional Services role Nigel works as an expert witness for in clinical negligence cases.

Visit Specsavers website

Find out more about Specsavers Children’s Eye Tests

NHS guidance on Children’s Eye Tests

All about Astigmatism

All about Myopia (short-sightedness)

All about long-sightedness

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email info@minifirstaid.co.uk

Series 5 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children.

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected.

If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

How do you raise an adventurous eater and stay sane doing it?

In this episode, we’re joined by nutritional consultant Melanie Hadida to talk all things family food. From baby-led weaning to batch cooking and supermarket meltdowns, Melanie shares her personal journey, including feeding newborn twins during lockdown, and her top tips for creating positive food experiences at home.

We cover:

• Practical ways to introduce flavourful, nutritious foods from the start
• Tackling fussy eating without turning mealtimes into a battleground
• Easy, budget-friendly meals the whole family will enjoy
• How getting kids involved in the kitchen can transform their eating habits

If you’re feeling stuck in a food rut or just need a little reassurance, this episode is packed with relatable stories and expert advice to help you feed your family with confidence.

Melanie is a nutritional consultant and twin mum. She is the founder and owner of Spice & Green, a small specialty food business creating unique products with herbs and spices. She offers one-on-one nutritional consulting services and cooking workshops focusing on hormonal health, pregnancy and postpartum nutrition and cooking with young families.

Connect with Melanie on Instagram

Visit Melanie’s website Melanie Hadida Nutrition

Boob to Table - fun nutritious meal & snack ideas for babies and the family

Find the Chef Knife Set for Kids

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email info@minifirstaid.co.uk

Series 5 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children.

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected.

If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

Bumps, knocks and tumbles are all part of childhood. But head injuries can feel scary, especially if you’re not sure what to look out for.

In this episode, Kate is joined by Dr Lillie Parker to chat all things head bumps – how to spot a serious injury, what to do in those first few minutes, and how to keep kids safe as they explore the world around them.

References:

Dr. Lillie Parker is an NHS paediatrician with almost a decade of experience caring for children and young people, from preterm babies to young adults up to18 years old. A graduate of Southampton University (BMBS BMedSci) and a certified member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, she is dedicated to providing expert, compassionate care. Her Instagram page offers parents and carers a reliable source of health advice amidst the overwhelming noise of unregulated information online. Her mission is to create a supportive community and empower parents to confidently manage their children’s health using trusted, evidence-based advice and information.

Connect with Dr Lillie Parker on Instagram

See the NHS guidance on Head Injuries & Concussion

Child Brain Injury Trust - After Concussion Return to Normality (ACoRN) leaflet

NHS Healthier Together - Head Injury Advice

Read the Mini First Aid blog on Head Bumps

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email info@minifirstaid.co.uk

Series 4 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children.

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected.

If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

Food allergies in children have doubled in the last 10 years.

In our latest episode, Kate is joined by Dr Helen Evans-Howells, GP and allergy specialist, to tackle the myths and fears around allergies and anaphylaxis.

From weaning worries to understanding when to use an auto-injector, Helen shares her expert advice and her personal experience as a parent navigating allergies.

A must-listen for any parent, carer, or teacher wanting to feel more confident about allergy safety.

Dr Helen Evans-Howells qualified with honours from Southampton University in 2005 and then trained as a GP. Helen became interested in allergy due to her own experiences of managing a child with milk and nut allergies. She undertook the Masters in Allergy at Southampton University and qualified with distinction in 2018.

After working with the allergy team in Southampton Hospital for 4.5years, Helen now runs a private allergy clinic for children and adults (www.drhelenallergy.co.uk) which provides virtual and face to face allergy consultations.

Helen was the previous chair for the primary care group of British Society of Allergy and is now a trustee for the Anaphylaxis UK Charity and Chair of their Clinical and Scientific panel.

Visit Dr Helen Allergy website

Connect with Dr Helen Evand-Howell on Instagram

Find out more about the work of Allergy UK

Find out more about the work of Anaphylaxis UK

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email info@minifirstaid.co.uk

Series 4 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children.

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected.

If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

When Anna’s little girl, Cleo, developed a high temperature, she did what so many of us would do - Calpol, cuddles, and wait and see. But what unfolded was every parent’s worst nightmare. Cleo had sepsis.

In this episode of the Family Health podcast, Anna bravely shares their story of missed signs, gut instinct, and the terrifying rollercoaster that followed.

She opens up about how she and her husband had to fight to be heard, how Cleo’s life was saved, and why Anna is now on a mission to raise awareness as an ambassador for the Sepsis Trust.

This is an episode every parent, grandparent, and carer needs to hear. Knowing the signs of sepsis could save a life.

Connect with Anna here on LinkedIn

Find out more about the work of The UK Sepsis Trust and check out their support resources.

Learn the signs and symptoms of sepsis in adults and children

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email info@minifirstaid.co.uk

Series 5 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children.

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected.

If reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

Is your child’s worry just a wobble – or something more? In this week’s Family Health podcast, Kate chats with youth solution-focused therapist Lisa Blackwell from The Youth Fairy to explore the sharp rise in anxiety among children.

From the early signs to look out for, to understanding what’s happening in your child’s brain, Lisa shares practical tools and everyday tips that can make a real difference.

Whether it’s the impact of COVID, social media, or just the overwhelm of growing up, this conversation will leave you better informed – and reassured that help is out there.

A must-listen for parents, carers and anyone supporting young people today.

Lisa Blackwell is a member of The Youth Fairy, a UK wide team of therapists, specialising in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy for children, teens, and young adults.

In addition to working one-on-one with children, the Youth Fairies lead wellbeing programmes in schools and run workshops for parents, equipping them with the knowledge to better understand their child's brain and support their journey towards becoming happier, calmer, and more confident.

Connect with Lisa here on LinkedIn

Find out more about Youth Fairy therapy programmes and follow them on Facebook and Instagram

Guardian article: NHS referrals for anxiety in children more than double pre-Covid levels

Read more about neuroplasticity

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award-winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi-award-winning two-hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email info@minifirstaid.co.uk

Series 4 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children.

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected.

And finally, if reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, affecting 1 in 7 women in their lifetime. Yet, many people still believe it’s a disease that only affects older women. The reality? 2,500 people under 40 are diagnosed every year.

In this episode of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid, host Kate Ball speaks with Paralympic champion Erin Kennedy OBE and Emma Walker from the breast cancer awareness charity Coppafeel! Erin shares her powerful story of discovering a lump at just 29, her journey through treatment, and her extraordinary return to competitive sport. Emma provides essential guidance on breast health, including:

✅ The importance of checking your chest regularly and knowing your normal
✅ Common misconceptions about breast cancer and who it affects
✅ Signs and symptoms to look out for, including those that are often missed
✅ How pregnancy can impact breast cancer diagnosis
✅ What to do if you find something unusual

Early detection saves lives, and this conversation is a must-listen for every woman, mum, daughter, and friend. Checking your chest is quick, simple, and could be life-saving.

References:

Connect with Erin Kennedy here on Instagram

Find out more about Coppafeel!

Sign up for Coppafeel!’s monthly check yourself reminder

Download the leaflet Your Breasts During and After Pregnancy

Find out more about Triple Negative Breast Cancer and other types of cancer here at Cancer Research UK

Find out more about Mummy Star - cancer support in pregnancy

Find out more about breast cancer treatments including the different types of chemotherapy treatment here

Cancer treatment prehabilitation advice

Coppafeel’s guide to breast cancer signs and symptoms

Find out more about fundraising for Coppafeel! including how to join a Coppafeel! trek here.

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies

Find out more about our multi award winning two hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency

Find out more about our NEW first aid awareness for adults classes here; just two hours of your time to learn life-saving skills.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email info@minifirstaid.co.uk

Series 4 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and

Chickenpox is one of the most common childhood illnesses, yet when those first spots appear, many parents find themselves filled with questions. How can you tell if it’s really chickenpox? How do you manage the relentless itching? And at what point should you seek medical help?

In this episode of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid, host Kate Ball is joined by Dr. Lillie Parker, a paediatrician with over a decade of experience, to provide expert guidance on chickenpox. Together, they discuss:

✅ The signs and symptoms of chickenpox and how to differentiate it from other childhood rashes
✅ How to ease discomfort, reduce itching, and prevent scarring
✅ When to keep your child home and when they can safely return to school or nursery
✅ The risks of chickenpox in pregnancy and for vulnerable individuals
✅ Whether it’s true that you can only catch chickenpox once—and the truth about shingles

If you're an expectant or new parent, or simply want to be prepared for when chickenpox makes its inevitable appearance in your home, this episode is packed with clear, practical advice to help you navigate it with confidence.

References:

Follow and connect with Dr Lils here on Instagram

Find NHS guidance including visual images of the chickenpox spots here

All about the chickenpox vaccine

Mini First Aid Family First Aid Kit - Platinum Award winning first aid kit, voted a Best Buy in the Loved By Parents Awards 2021, is a comprehensive first aid kit for all the family. Containing 115 essential items, it is ideal for keeping in your car or at home for any first aid emergencies.

Find out more about our multi award winning two hour Baby & Child first aid classes here, delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style to give you the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

For press enquiries and to contact Mini First Aid, email info@minifirstaid.co.uk

Series 4 of the Family Health Podcast by Mini First Aid is sponsored by Things Happen, a trusted broker which offers the best financial advice to help parents and their families make informed decisions, ensuring a secure and tax-efficient future for their children.

The team at Things Happen consists of highly qualified financial experts who can guide you through the different types of life insurance policies to consider as your family expands, taking the stress out of decision-making by finding the best deals. If you already have life insurance Things Happen will carefully review your existing policy to ensure it still meets your family's needs, giving you peace of mind, knowing your family is fully protected.

And finally, if reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.

And finally, if reviewing your life insurance is still on your to-do list, take time to get in touch with an experienced Things Happen financial advisor today.