Netmums

Weaning tips every parent needs | Lucy Upton on weaning, gagging and fussy eating

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 11:09:32 GMT

‘Why won’t my baby eat?!’ – the weaning truth every parent needs to hear.

Starting weaning can feel exciting, overwhelming and… a little terrifying. From gagging fears to food refusal and fussy eating, parents are often left wondering if they’re doing it 'right.'

In this Netmums interview, children’s dietitian and feeding specialist Lucy Upton shares the expert advice every parent needs before starting solids – including the biggest myths around baby-led weaning, allergies and picky eaters.

Lucy explains:

• The real signs your baby is ready for weaning

• The difference between gagging and choking

• How much babies actually eat in the beginning

• Whether purees or baby-led weaning is best

• Why messy eating is GOOD for development

• How to introduce allergenic foods safely

• What parents should NEVER panic about

• Why toddlers suddenly become “fussy eaters”

Lucy also reveals why social media can make weaning anxiety worse – and why comparing your baby’s eating habits to others can pile on unnecessary pressure.

'One of the best things you can do is step back so your baby can step up,' Lucy says.

Whether you’re about to start weaning or deep in the messy middle of it, this conversation is packed with reassuring, evidence-based advice to help you feel more confident at mealtimes.

Watch the full interview now and discover why weaning is a skill babies learn – not something they instantly know how to do.

Netmums caught up with Lucy at @The Baby Show, Birmingham NEC. Netmums is the official podcast partner for 2026, and will be back at the next show at the Olympia, London, from Friday 23 – Sunday 25 October, 2026.

#Weaning #BabyLedWeaning #StartingSolids #FeedingBaby #WeaningTips #ParentingUK #LucyUpton #BabyFeeding #FussyEating #ToddlerFood #NewParents #Netmums #BabyDevelopment #ParentingAdvice #weaningjourney

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Katie Piper: How to Raise Confident Children in an Appearance-Obsessed World | The Netmums Podcast

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:40:49 GMT

How do we help our children believe they're enough in a world that's constantly telling them they need to look different, be different or do more?

On this episode of The Netmums Podcast, hosts JB Gill and Louise Burke are joined by broadcaster, best-selling author, campaigner and mum-of-two Katie Piper for a powerful conversation about raising confident, resilient children in the age of social media, filters and impossible beauty standards.

Drawing on both her own extraordinary life experiences and her work with children's charity Smile Train, Katie shares why confidence isn't something we're born with, it's something we build.

She explains why she's determined not to pass her own fears on to her daughters, why she believes ‘the world is an amazing place full of kind people,’ and how parents can help children develop self-worth that goes far beyond appearance.

In this episode, we discuss:

Building confidence and resilience from childhood
Helping children navigate social media and appearance pressures
Raising girls with self-worth beyond looks
Why Katie encourages her daughters to discover who they are before focusing on relationships
Katie's work with Smile Train supporting children born with cleft lip and palate
How becoming a mum transformed her perspective on life
Practical parenting advice to help children feel confident, capable and comfortable in their own skin

Whether you're parenting toddlers, tweens or teenagers, this episode is full of thoughtful advice, honest reflections and practical takeaways to help your child grow up believing who they are matters far more than how they look.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Comment and Subscribe for more real parenting conversations every week.

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#KatiePiper #Parenting #TheNetmumsPodcast #Motherhood #Confidence #Resilience #SelfEsteem #RaisingGirls #MentalHealth #Netmums

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The Netmums Podcast, LIVE at The Baby Show, with Liz McClarnon-Cho

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:55:16 GMT

In this emotional live episode of The Netmums Podcast at The Baby Show, Atomic Kitten star Liz McClarnon-Cho opens up about becoming a first-time mum at 44 after eight rounds of IVF, two miscarriages and years of heartbreak.

Liz shares the reality of IVF, loss, pregnancy anxiety, newborn life and the overwhelming joy of finally welcoming baby Alexander with husband Peter Cho in November 2025.

From the moment Liz saw that positive pregnancy test to the fears of leaving the house with a newborn for the first time, this is a raw, honest and deeply relatable conversation about motherhood when the road to parenthood isn’t straightforward.

Topics covered:

IVF and fertility struggles

Miscarriage and pregnancy loss

Becoming a mum later in life

Pregnancy after IVF

Newborn anxiety and mum guilt

Relationships during fertility treatment

Life as a first-time mum at 44

Featuring:

🎙️ Liz McClarnon-Cho

🎙️ JB Gill

🎙️ Louise Burke

Netmums is the official podcast partner for The Baby Show 2026, and will be back at the next show at the Olympia, London, from Friday 23 – Sunday 25 October, 2026.

#LizMcClarnon #IVFJourney #FirstTimeMum #FertilityJourney #TheNetmumsPodcast #BabyShow #PregnancyAfterIVF #Motherhood #IVFSupport #AtomicKitten

Netmums

Weaning tips every parent needs | Lucy Upton on weaning, gagging and fussy eating

Katie Piper: How to Raise Confident Children in an Appearance-Obsessed World | The Netmums Podcast

The Netmums Podcast, LIVE at The Baby Show, with Liz McClarnon-Cho

Teen acne: what it really feels like – and what helps