Wild and Well | Motherhood, Postpartum Wellness and Children’s Health

Mouth breathing, soft diets, poor sleep, picky eating, and crowded teeth are often treated as separate issues. But many of them are connected through oral function and airway development in early childhood. In this episode, I am talking to registered dental practitioner, oral health therapist, orofacial myofunctional therapist, and founder of The Face Place, Mel Van Schelven, about toddler oral function and why it matters far beyond teeth. We discuss mouth breathing, sleep quality, chewing, facial growth, picky eating, convenience feeding products, and the practical ways parents can support healthy oral development at home.   Mel and I talk about: Why the toddler years are a critical window for jaw and airway development How modern diets and ultra processed foods reduce chewing and impact oral development Why chewing is essential for jaw strength, tongue posture, swallowing, and airway health How pouches, smoothie bottles, sippy cups, and soft foods can prolong immature oral patterns The connection between mouth breathing, nervous system regulation, sleep quality, and behaviour Common signs of mouth breathing, including restless sleep, snoring, drooling, dark circles, and open mouth posture Why picky eating and soft food preferences are often linked to oral function challenges Simple ways parents can support oral development through food choices, chewing opportunities, and daily habits How oral function assessments can help identify challenges before they become bigger issues Mel Van Schelven is a registered dental practitioner, oral health therapist, orofacial myofunctional therapist, and founder of The Face Place. She supports families in understanding how oral function, breathing, sleep, and airway health influence childhood development. Mel works with parents to identify early signs of dysfunction and provide practical strategies that support healthier oral and facial development in children. Episode Links: Say hi to Mel on Instagram  Watch Mel’s masterclass Foundations for Growing Faces  Grab one of Mel’s free guides  Listen to The Face Place Podcast  Work with Mel virtually    Come say hi to me on Instagram Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom.  Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods.   Resources I Am Loving Kultured Wellness – Yogurt and kefir cultures and everything you need for optimal gut health. Use code WILDANDWELL The Brain Health Movement – Whole Child Healing Roadmap is a science-backed courses that decode the root causes of your child's struggles. Get £200 off with code WILDANDWELL Fertility & Beyond – Natural solutions for your fertility struggles I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend.   Wild and Well with Dr Hilary Claire is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, optimal health for women, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from gut health to pregnancy, functional health for women and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood while creating a foundation for lifelong wellness.

Unburdening Motherhood: How Mothers Can Heal Trauma and Become Self-LedWhy Motherhood Triggers Us - and How to Heal Using Parts Work From Perfectionism to Self-Compassion: Healing Motherhood with Dr Angele Close Healing Trauma and Reparenting Yourself Through Motherhood Breaking Generational Cycles in Motherhood with Clinical Psychologist Dr Angele Close. In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist, motherhood coach, and author Dr Angele Close to explore motherhood, self-compassion, and what it really takes to move out of exhaustion and overwhelm in motherhood. Dr. Angele shares how her own journey through motherhood - and the profound challenges of matrescence, led her to shift her work toward supporting mothers’ mental and emotional wellbeing. Together, we explore how unhealed childhood patterns, cultural expectations of “good motherhood,” and internalized perfectionism can leave mothers feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from themselves. We discuss Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts work, which provide a compassionate approach that supports mothers in understanding their inner world, easing self-criticism, and responding more calmly and authentically in parenting.   Dr Angele and I chat about:  What matrescence is and why it’s such a vulnerable, transformative time How cultural myths of “good motherhood” shape our inner critic and perfectionism What parts work and Internal Family Systems are (and why they’re so helpful for moms) Common “mom parts” like the perfectionist, inner critic, worrier, and mama bear How to respond more calmly to your child’s big emotions by doing your own inner work What it really means to break generational cycles How self-compassion and reparenting support both mothers and children Practical ways to begin parts work, even with limited time This episode is an invitation to move out of survival mode, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and become more self-led in motherhood. Dr Angele Close is a psychologist, motherhood coach, and author with nearly 20 years of clinical experience. Her work centers on supporting mothers in moving out of exhaustion, depletion, and overwhelm, and reclaiming a healthy, thriving identity in motherhood. Her approach is shaped not only by professional training, but by her own lived experience navigating the challenges of early motherhood. Dr Angele specializes in maternal mental health, Internal Family Systems, and cycle-breaking work for mothers. Her book, Unburdening Motherhood: A Guide to Breaking Cycles, Healing Trauma, and Becoming a Self-Led Mom, offers practical tools, reflections, and guided practices to support mothers in deep inner healing. Episode Links: Say hi to Dr Angele on Instagram Read Unburdening Motherhood  Try out some of Dr Angele’s meditations on Insight Timer  Find out more about Dr Angele on her website Come say hi to me on Instagram  Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom.  Motherhood Reset Program: Get in-depth guidance for postpartum recovery, self-care for moms, and energy restoration with this program.   Resources I Am Loving Squat Seat – Comfortable seat to increase mobility and deep squat. Use code WILD5 for a discount.   BON CHARGE – Red light devices. Get 15% off with the code: WILDANDWELL  MamaZen App – Become a happier and calmer mom through cognitive hypnotherapy, CBT, and mindfulness. Use code 9c Fertility & Beyond – Natural solutions for your fertility struggles I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend. Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.

In this episode, I chat with Erin Bury, Co-Founder and CEO of Willful, to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and financial wellbeing. Erin shares her unconventional path into entrepreneurship, from journalism to tech startups, and what she’s learned about taking risks, validating ideas, and building a business without being a “born entrepreneur.”  She opens up about the realities of running a company while raising two young children, including time constraints, invisible labour, and the importance of supportive partnerships, all while rejecting the myth of perfection.   Erin and I chat about:  Balancing leadership, parenting, and personal wellbeing Why modeling values matters more than doing it “all” The mental and emotional load mothers carry, even in supportive households Teaching kids about money, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship Practical steps parents can take to support their children’s financial futures Why estate planning is an act of care, and how it can bring peace of mind, not fear This episode is a conversation for parents who are building careers, raising children, and trying to navigate it all with intention, without burning out. Named one of The Globe & Mail’s Changemakers in 2025, Erin Bury is an entrepreneur, startup advisor. and a former marketer and technology journalist. Erin is the co-founder and CEO at online estate planning platform Willful, where she drives the company’s mission to ensure every Canadian has a will. Erin secured a deal for the company on TV’s Dragons’ Den in December 2021 Erin is also a columnist at The Globe and Mail, where she writes about parenting and personal finance. She is also a board member for Save the Children Canada. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario with her husband and two young daughters. Episode Links: Say hi to Erin on Instagram Check out Willful on Instagram and on their website   Come say hi to me on Instagram Vibrant Mama Quiz: Take the quiz to discover if you are as vibrant as you can be in motherhood and learn practical steps to overcome postnatal exhaustion and burnout.  Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom. Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods. Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.

How can yoga and psychology support our nervous system and our mental health in everyday life? In this episode of Wild & Well, I’m joined by Dr Lauren Tober, a clinical psychologist, yoga teacher, and founder of the Yoga Psychology Institute, to explore how yoga and psychology can work together to support mental health, nervous system regulation, and emotional wellbeing. We discuss accessible, practical tools for navigating stress, anxiety, and overwhelm, especially during motherhood and busy seasons of life.   Dr Lauren and I talk about: How yoga and psychology complement one another in mental health care The role of breathwork in nervous system regulation Understanding the window of tolerance How body awareness supports emotional wellbeing What “mental health–aware yoga” means Simple grounding practices for overwhelm Supporting kids’ emotional regulation through breath and play How to anchor nervous system practices into everyday life as a parent The importance of self-compassion and checking in with yourself Dr Lauren Tober is a clinical psychologist, yoga teacher, and author of Mental Health Aware Yoga, who bridges psychology and yoga to support mental health and nervous system regulation. Her work is evidence-based yet soulful, grounded in the belief that happiness is our true nature and can be cultivated through practices like breath, compassion, creativity, and community.   Episode Links: Say hi to Dr Lauren on Instagram  Learn more about the Yoga Psychology Institute or on Instagram  Grab her book Mental Health Aware Yoga  Listen to Dr Lauren’s podcast A Grateful Life Podcast  Get her free Yoga Nidra   Come say hi to me on Instagram Helpful Articles: Read my articles on wellness, motherhood, picky eating, and thriving as a mom. Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom. Motherhood Reset Program: Get in-depth guidance for postpartum recovery, self-care for moms, and energy restoration with this program.   Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.