This Little Life

They say it takes a village to raise a child. But what if you want to go it alone?    Becky Bell refers to herself as a single mum by choice, using a sperm donor to conceive her two beautiful children. Now, she's on a mission to break the stigma and educate others about the power and beauty of her unconventional path to motherhood.   At times, single parenthood may mean double the stress and double the worry. But doesn't it also mean double the love? Join us as Becky shares all about being a single mum by choice.

The birth of a child is meant to be the happiest of times, and the start of a lifelong journey of milestones. But what if this journey is cut short? Late into her pregnancy, Priyanka Saha and her husband Will received news that would change the course of their lives. Their unborn child was diagnosed with an incurable brain condition and an uncertain life expectancy. Despite the challenges, their daughter Lily proved to be a fighter, living 10 months before passing away. Today, Lily's legacy lives on. Her parents established a foundation in her honour, helping families navigate the scary and isolating road of parenting a child with a terminal illness. We are honoured to have Lily's mum, Priyanka Saha, with us to discuss this incredibly important topic of infant and child loss. 

Like, follow, share - social media can be a real mother  Did you know that approximately 90% of mums are active social media users? Whether it's Facebook, Instagram, or Tiktok – millennial mums live online. And we can't lie...we're certainly part of that statistic. But...how does social media impact our lives and can it be a force for good?  Is social media a help or a hindrance? Whether you love it or hate it, social media is completely embedded in our lives. In our latest episode of This Little Life, we're joined by Rachel Chappell – Founder and Publisher of North Shore Mums, an online group with over 40,000 members. Tune in as we answer the burning question: is social media a help or a hindrance?

Hosted by LittleOak CEO and Founder, Elke Pascoe, This Little Life is an impromptu and lively discussion diving into the big and little issues of parenting and beyond. Tune in for our latest podcast episode featuring image coach and stylist, Lacey Savell. On a mission to empower mums, Lacey shares her top tips for regaining self-confidence post pregnancy and finding your back-to-work personal style. With love, LittleOak xx

At this time of year, it's all about family – and we want you to meet ours. A new spin on our most-loved podcast, we're joined by some very special guests: Olive and Freddie, Elke's very own little ones. Not only are they Elke's inspiration, they are the heart and soul of LittleOak and the reason she started the Company seven years ago. Tune in to meet the family behind LittleOak as they share their highlights of 2023, their favourite things about Christmas and their hopes for the new year. From favourite Christmas movies to favourite Christmas foods, we're bringing you the inside scoop - you may even get some ideas for your own little ones.

Hosted by LittleOak CEO and Founder, Elke Pascoe, This Little Life is an impromptu and lively discussion diving into the big and little issues of parenting and beyond. Children don't come with an instruction manual. And as parents, we're often making it up as we go and hoping for the best. But when it comes to the unique delights of toddlerhood, all bets are off. How do we deal with the dreaded toddler tantrum? How do we get them to say yes instead of no,no,no? And please tell me, just how do we get them to eat their vegetables? While we haven't quite written that instruction manual, we think we've got the next best thing. Michelle Tangeman is a mother of 2, therapist and behaviour expert, and she joins us today to discuss whether we can, and indeed should we, tame the toddler.

Hosted by LittleOak CEO and Founder, Elke Pasco, This Little Life is an impromptu and lively discussion diving into the big and little issues of parenting and beyond.   You've heard the saying “never wake a sleeping baby”. But does that apply to toddlers? And what about the age-old conundrum of when to stop daytime naps? Is it when your little one says so or should we persevere through the tantrums?     Katy Bourzikas is a certified sleep coach and founder of Well Rested Wee Ones. Their mission is to get little ones and their parents sleeping better, moving from tired to well reseted.      So let's dive into today's discussion and decide if we should let sleeping toddlers lie… or not?

This month we have teamed up with some of the world's leading experts in toddler development. For the next two episodes, we will explore sleep, nutrition, behaviour, and more to help our LittleOak families as they navigate this wonderful, but noisy new journey… So settle in, and buckle up …as we welcome you to toddler town.  With Love, LittleOak xx

A Journey of Courage, Hope, and Pink: Sarah Powell's Inspiring Story This month, as we mark Breast Cancer Awareness, we bring you a truly remarkable episode of This Little Life. Join us as we delve into the life-changing journey of Sarah Powell, the CEO of Pink Hope. From her personal battle with breast cancer to her advocacy work to understand and reduce the risk of hereditary cancer in our community, Sarah's story is one of courage, resilience, and most importantly, hope - or should we say, pink hope.    Tune in to be inspired by Sarah's journey - empowering as it is emotional. Learn more about hereditary cancer risks and ways to break the cycle of cancer and encourage conversations that save lives.

We've all heard the saying happy wife, happy life but here's another one for you - Happy gut, healthy child. Ok, so it doesn't rhyme, but we think it's just as important.  Dr Anna Garber agrees. A naturopathic doctor, her passion is children's health. She believes that good gut health early in life sets a strong foundation for our adult health.  So what does good gut health in our children look like? How can we achieve it? And what is the connection between gut health and mental health? There's certainly lots to cover, so join us as we get to the heart (or should that be the gut) of this very important topic. 

Hosted by LittleOak CEO and Founder Elke Pascoe, This Little Life is an impromptu and lively discussion diving into the big and little issues of parenting and beyond. Childbirth. A word that can trigger a hundred different emotions – from joy to fear and back again. Then, you head home with a tiny human and everything else goes out the window. But what about mum? How are we helping them through this massive life transformation? Vanessa Werner believes we can do better. As a Doula, her passion is empowering women during pregnancy, birth and recovery. Inspired by traditional Chinese medicine, her goal is to create a respectful birth culture for mothers.  But what does that look like? How do we achieve this? Should all women have a doula?  Join us as we tackle the ultimate childbirth conundrum – to doula or not? 

It all started with the words “I'll send you the memo”. The memo was a list of everything you really needed for a new baby, shared amongst friends. It's now grown into one of Australia's leading parenting destinations, with a thriving online community, retail store and some serious style.  In this episode, Elke chats with Phoebe Simmonds and Kate Casey, founders of The Memo. From breast pumps to baby baths and everything in between, these two mums really know their stuff. So how did they grow from a simple list to a hugely successful business? And more importantly, what do they think should be on every new mum's very own Memo?

The end of a relationship is always hard, but even more so with children involved. While navigating through one of life's most difficult challenges, you need to help your kids adjust to an entirely new family dynamic. How can we do that? What does successful co-parenting look like? And is it even possible? What happens if you and your former partner don't see eye to eye on the way to raise your children? To help us answer all these questions and more, we're delighted to welcome Sammy Millach back to the podcast. Sammy is a mum of two, teacher and behaviour management specialist. She's also an expert in conscious parenting. She's joined by Amanda Hallam, a therapist with 20 years experience supporting families, couples and individuals experiencing relationship challenges. She's also a single mum and just happens to be Elke's best friend. You don't want to miss this incredibly honest chat about the ups and downs of co-parenting.

We've all had those days. Neither you or the baby has slept much, the kids are crying, and now you're yelling. But what if there was a different way of handling the situation? A calmer way? Our guest today Sammy Millach thinks there is. Sammy is a mum of two, teacher and behaviour management specialist. She's also an expert in conscious parenting, which focuses on clear and positive communication and boundaries. Rather than yelling “time-out”, she advocates for time-ins. Sound appealing? This this episode is for you.

If you've ever looked at the ingredients list of your little one's formula, you've probably noticed it contains palm oil, and if you were concerned, you probably have good reason for it. After all, palm oil is widely discussed in newspapers and social media but for all the wrong reasons. So you may have wondered what is palm oil, is it safe for your growing baby, and more importantly why is it even used in so many formulas? To help navigate this hotly contested debate, Elke is joined by Steph Lowe, a mum of two, yogi and founder of The Natural Nutritionist. To these two passionate mums, the time for excuses is gone and the evidence is clear - it's time to palm off palm oil.

Jess Wilson fought a four year battle to help her young sons recover from chronic, life threatening reflux illness. Exhausted, traumatised and facing the hardest challenge of her life, Jess refused to accept the status quo. In a story of true determination and courage, Jess would not only rebuild their health, but find her life's passion, becoming one of Australia's leading Nutritionists. Now, Jess works with other families to transform their lives through a healthy lifestyle. She sat down recently with LittleOak's Elke Pascoe, recalling the highs and lows of her personal journey, before sharing expert insights sure to inspire and surprise. Find out why the gut is the mother of all health, that bloating is not normal (say what?) and how to make reflux friendly food choices. Ultimately Jess reminds us all that it's never too late to make a change and rewrite our own stories in order to thrive.

Us parents tend to worry a lot. From sleep to sunscreen to screen time, the list is endless as we try to raise well adjusted humans. One of our biggest concerns is what our children eat. Wanting to limit their intake of things like processed foods, added sugar and preservatives is certainly not new. But trying to stay on top of it all can feel overwhelming. But does it need to be this way? And do we need to accept it or can we change it?   Nicky Skinner has a theory on that. Nicky is a mum of 2, Paediatric Registered Nurse and accredited Nutrition, Health and Lifestyle Coach. Her passion is educating people about the benefits of a low tox lifestyle. So what does this look like and is it actually achievable for busy mums and dads? Join us as we get the low-down on the low-tox lifestyle.

Double trouble or a perfect pair... We've all heard the cliches to describe twins but what is it actually like living life in multiple? As a therapist and mum to twin daughters, Natasha D'anna knows first-hand the unique joy and challenges that comes with parenting multiples. So much so that it inspired her to create TwinDollicious & Co, an online community, book series and lifestyle brand focused on supporting and encouraging fun family experiences. LittleOak Founder and CEO Elke Pascoe(a twin herself) recently sat down with Natasha for a heartwarming chat about the twin life. From Natasha's feeding journey to the importance of community and support for mums of multiples, this lively discussion shares unique insights and a wonderful reminder to always focus on connection and fun in the chaos of everyday family life.

Like many couples, Adam and Justin Rowe dreamt of starting a family, but the reality hasn't been easy. Spanning many years and multiple countries across the globe, Adam and Justin's quest to find fatherhood led to the world of surrogacy. In this special episode, Adam and Justin join LittleOak Founder and CEO Elke Pascoe for an incredibly open and honest conversation about their surrogacy journey. They share the highs, lows, and everything in between with grace, compassion and humour. And while at times heartbreaking, ultimately it's a love story –of Adam and Justin, and their much longed for child-anda story of hope and strength, as every parenting journey is.

We've all heard the saying “sleep when the baby sleeps”,but that sentiment doesn't quite apply when it comes to exercise. That's what led mum of three and fitness professional Sarah Kuhn to create Juna, an innovative app dedicated to pre and postpartum support and designed to fit in with a mum's lifestyle. In this episode, Sarah joins LittleOak Founder and CEO Elke Pascoe to discuss their own pregnancy and postpartum experiences, and how these drove them to start businesses doing things differently for parents. Sarah explains how Juna is shifting the narrative around pregnancy and postpartum health-from focusing on what women can't do to what they CAN do–and offering practical advice and resources to help them feel better and stronger during this uniquely demanding season of life.

If you're a parent, there's a good chance you've thought (a lot) about sleep, and at some stage, prayed to the sleep gods to get your little one sleeping better. Quite frankly, it's exhausting. And is it even possible? Can children actually sleep well? Leading baby sleep expert Donna Moala joins LittleOak Founder and CEO Elke Pascoe to tackle the big questions on little ones' sleep. From knowing the ideal “awake window” for your child, the impact of diet, and creating the ideal sleeping environment, these two mums leave no stone unturned in their quest for the holy grail of parenting. There's also a healthy dose of mythbusting, including why sleep training shouldn't be considered a dirty word.

Whether you are a parent from down under, or a parent on the other side of the world, the joys and challenges of parenting are much the same. Feeding, sleeping and endless parent guilt are just a few of the common and daily trials faced by parents around the world. In this episode of This Little Life, our CEO Elke Pascoe chats with Mallory Whitmore, aka The Formula Mom and the go-to authority on feeding for many American parents, about the enduring preconceptions of formula feeding, the US and what is to come for LittleOak in America. It's candid, it's subtly contentious but it's real and it aims to clear up the confusion about formula. Period. With Love, LittleOak xx

Female entrepreneurs are on the rise and a significant number of these inspiring new entrepreneurs are credited with driving small business growth across the world. In Australia alone, it is said that more than 700,000 mothers currently run their own enterprises while juggling children and home life. But while the label mumpreneur may or may not sit comfortably with the very mothers it represents, it's a brave new world for those ambitious few that leave behind the comfort of the corporate life to find fulfilment and success in running their own business. Join CEO and Mumpreneur of The LittleOak Company, Elke Pascoe, together with two of Australia's most remarkable mothers-cum-business-bosses, Demi Duncan and Melinda Baxter from Missta, as they explore the pain points of building a business: the motivations, the misses, and not to mention, the endless highs and lows of starting something from scratch. The results? Well, not surprisingly, the insights are enlightening as they are inspiring. www.thelittleoakcompany.com #mumpreneurs #mumbosses #womeninbusiness

As many parents know, sleep is one of the most elusive pursuits of all time. As soon as a baby arrives, many say goodnight to a full night's sleep for months and sometimes years. But have you ever considered that your child's nutrition might affect their ability to sleep? Both food and sleep are required for survival, and we also know that our children require lots of both. The truth is: food and sleep are intrinsically connected. Your child's broken sleep can often be linked to their diet, including food allergies or intolerances Join Founder and CEO of The LittleOak Company, Elke Pascoe, and Australia's leading sleep expert and Nighttime Perks Ambassador, Kelly Martin as they explore the link between food and sleep and share some simple tips that might just help you and your family get a better night's sleep.

‘Tis the week before Christmas and all around the world people are gathering to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus or as we more commonly know it – Christmas. Borders are opening, shops are brimming, and our babes are bubbling with the excitement around the impending arrival of Santa. So, with the holidays nearly upon us, we thought there was no better time to gather the kids and have a fun, merry and potentially crazy conversation about the magic and wonder of Christmas. www.thelittleoakcompany.com #thislittlelife

In recent decades, ultra-processed food intake has increased dramatically worldwide. These highly refined foods now account for up to 60 percent of a person's daily energy intake. Media is crammed with headlines of pandemics, but the increasing consumption of processed food is an epidemic of seismic proportions. And it is our children that are affected more than ever before. Join Jenna McInnes, mum and holistic Clinical Nutritionist, and Jade Walker, qualified naturopath, for a no-nonsense discussion about food and the importance of natural nutrition on the future health of our children. Special guest appearances by Jade's twin daughters, Maisie and Imogen. #FromFresh www.thelittleoakcompany.com

A whole podcast about milk? You've goat to be kidding!? You're not? Well, who knew that milk could be so interesting. But here's what we absolutely know: before cows, there were goats. And thousands of years ago, no one milked cows. Instead, they enjoyed the natural benefits of rich, creamy goat's milk. But fast forward a few centuries and where are we now? What dairy source are families drinking in our modern times? And what's the difference between goat's milk and cow's milk? Is one better than the other? And more importantly, which one is healthier for you and your family? The Greatest milk showdown Of All Time answers all these questions and more. Join farmer and owner of Oete Goat Farms, Matt Bolton; regulatory expert and part-time comedian Colin Oliver; and Senior Lecturer of Applied Science and notable smarty in the room, Dr Bob Stewart, along with LittleOak Founder and CEO Elke Pascoe, to unpick the nutritional pluses and minuses of everyday milk. www.thelittleoakcompany.com

The role of a father has shifted considerably over the years. For many Dads, raising kids looks very different to how their fathers did when they were growing up. But what is best? Old school parenting or new age nurturing? Join AFL super Dad, Aaron Cornelius and modern Dad, Mitch Papas, together with the all-round inspirational individual and father, Joel Sardi, to hear what fatherhood means to them. It's a long one, folks, but sit back and enjoy the conversation. It's real, it's raw but it's all hard-won wisdom into the phenomenon that is: modern fathering. www.thelittleoakcompany.com #dadsoflittleoak #fatherhood

Putting your baby to sleep is perhaps one of the toughest tasks you need to accomplish every day! In this episode, we tackle the big issue of little sleep and how you can get more shuteye for you and bubs.

No one is a stranger to the perils and uncertainty of Covid and yet so much opportunity exists in e-commerce for those agile enough to embrace this unprecedented and dynamic trading global environment. Join, Elke Pascoe, CEO and Founder of The LittleOak Company and other leading retail experts from this year's Retail Global 2021 event to discuss the building blocks of a global business - the pitfalls and pratfalls of international expansion as well as the hottest global markets and how to break into them. Join Don Robertson (CEO STAX), Teresa Aprile (CEO BrandCrush), and Pharida Khiev (eCommerce Relationship Manager, WorldFirst) for a lively and impromptu discussion on how to launch into emerging markets and what traps to avoid. www.thelittleoakcompany.com www.stax.com.au www.brandcrush.com www.worldfirst.com www.retailglobal.com.au