Breast or Bottle: Why Your Baby’s Sensory Personality May Decide with Dr Nellie Balfour S9 | Ep230

Same mum. Same home. Same breast milk. So why did one of Dr Nellie Balfour's boys turn away from the breast within weeks, while his little brother won't let go?

The answer has nothing to do with the milk, and everything to do with your baby's sensory personality.

In this episode, Meg Faure catches up with paediatrician and mum of two Dr Nellie Balfour as her second baby, Uyakile, turns three months old. What unfolds is a fascinating look at feeding, development and immunity through the eyes of a doctor who is also living it at home.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN

Why slow-to-warm-up babies often pick the bottle, and why social butterflies may prefer the breast

The ingredient in breast milk your baby can't digest at all, and why scientists now believe it matters so much for gut health and immunity

The "falling in love" milestone around three months, and the simple sign that shows it's happening

Why bringing two tiny hands together is one of your baby's first calming strategies

How Nellie's newborn stayed well while his big brother brought every bug home from school

Government vs private vaccine schedules in South Africa: what's actually different, and does the timing change?

Whether you're breastfeeding, bottle feeding or doing a bit of both, this episode will change how you see your baby's choices.

Want to know your baby's sensory personality? Find out on the Parent Sense app. [Download it here](https://parentsenseapp.onelink.me/G6HA/ipgrh817 ) and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome back & meeting Dr Nellie Balfour

01:32 Three months with baby Uyakile

02:23 Combo feeding: breast and bottle

04:02 What are HMOs? Meg explains human milk oligosaccharides and their role in the baby's gut microbiome.

06:43 Why Nellie chose her formula Nellie explains what caught her attention when choosing a formula

07:33 Why some babies prefer the bottle Meg explores feeding preferences through a sensory lens and compares Nellie's two babies.

10:35 Baby milestones at three months Smiling, cooing, eye contact, following and bringing the hands to midline.

12:29 Understanding social-emotional milestones Meg explains the developmental trajectory behind early social connection.

14:48 Falling in love with your baby What happens as babies begin developing preferences for their significant people.

16:22 From connection to communication Meg explains how object permanence, pointing and early social development eventually lay foundations for language.

17:52 Why bringing the hands to midline matters How this movement can become an important calming and soothing strategy.

19:44 Immunity, illness & vaccinations Nellie shares how her baby has managed while his older brother has been exposed to bugs at school.

21:29 Government vs private vaccinations in South Africa Nellie explains the difference between the government EPI schedule and additional private vaccines.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dr Nellie Balfour is a paediatrician and mother of two. She returns to Sense by Meg Faure for the 6-week update, following her earlier appearances during her pregnancy and the unexpected birth.

Follow ⁠Dr Nellie Balfour on Instagram⁠

ABOUT THE SENSE BY MEG PODCAST

Sense by Meg is a weekly podcast for parents who want evidence-based, compassionate guidance. Hosted by OT, author and parenting expert Meg Faure, each episode brings together expert insight and real-world experience to help parents feel informed and supported. The podcast is proudly associated with Parent Sense, the all-in-one parenting app for routines, sleep, nutrition and expert advice.

Parent Sense App: Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. ⁠Download it here⁠ and use code SENSE50 for 50% off.⁠ ⁠

Meg Faure

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Parent Sense

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#BabyDevelopment #BabyMilestones #Breastfeeding #ComboFeeding #BottleFeeding #BabyFeeding #BabyHealth #BabyImmunity #Vaccinations #SensoryDevelopment #NewbornBaby #ThreeMonthOldBaby #ParentingPodcast