Helen Davies is a health visitor, PICU nurse and sleep specialist as well as a mother of four. She has 22 years of parenting experience and also runs the very funny, very real Instagram account @Essential_Parenting.TW: domestic abuse and mental illnessIn this week's episode Helen shares her story of overcoming a toxic relationship and mental health challenges. With such generous (and often hilarious) honesty, she talks about how these things have shaped her professional life - having now worked with thousands of families - as well as her mothering and personal healing experience.We reflected on how the social media worlds of both 'gentle parenting' and sleep training can have a negative impact on new parents today with such unrealistic standards being touted as normal.Helen and I also asked:Why do people say it's a trend to respond to and treat babies with respect and compassion?Does this age of information make us feel like bad parents when we do inevitably feel overwhelmed or burnt out?For more about Helen her website is https://essentialparenting.co.uk/If you're affected by any of the issues we discuss, the following links may be helpful:Women's AidRefugeUK Government websiteSamaritansPandas Foundation (postnatal depression awareness and support)--------------------------------------If you're interested in the upcoming Night Weaning Webinars, see here:Breastfed babies: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=22681540&appointmentType=38787046Bottlefed babies: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=22681540&appointmentType=38787155