Burns: Winter Burn Risks & First Aid Essentials with Rebecca Bradshaw
You might not think there would be increased "burn danger" in winter, but emergency rooms say otherwise. In this eye-opening episode, Rebecca Bradshaw from Rural Child Health joins with 2 Bloke Chatting to unpack why burn incidents spike in the colder months—and what you need to know to stay safe. From heaters and campfires to cooking mishaps and Crocs, we dive into the hidden burn hazards that come with winter living.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
🔥 Why burns increase in winter—yes, more than summer! 🔥 Common causes: fireplaces, heaters, campfires, and even hot shoes 🔥 Why Crocs and campfires don’t mix 🔥 The best-practice first aid for burns (spoiler: no butter, no ice!) 🔥 Why 20 minutes of cool running water is the gold standard 🔥 How to manage burns in the bush or without running water 🔥 What burns need hospital care—and why 🔥 Smart burn prevention tips for the kitchen, campsite, and on the motorbike 🔥 The lasting consequences of improper burn care—and how telehealth is changing the game in rural areas
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14:43
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14:43
Supporting Families Through Baby Wearing
In this episode, Rebecca chats with Anne—aka the Babywearing Physio—about all things baby carriers and how babywearing can support families through the early stages of parenting.
From her beginnings as a rural physio to her journey through motherhood (including twins and preemies), Anne shares how her personal and professional experiences led her to become a lactation consultant and babywearing educator.
Anne explains how carriers can be a game changer for families, especially those dealing with complex medical needs, disabilities, or simply the chaos of the fourth trimester.
She highlights practical advice, safety considerations, and how choosing the right carrier can be life-changing for both parent and child.
Come say hi on Instagram, or we'd love to you to leave a review Ann @babywearingphysio Bec @ruralchildhealth
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18:16
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18:16
Why “Failure to Thrive” Needs to Go: Understanding Growth Charts Without Losing Confidence
In this episode of Rural Child Health Chats, we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood and emotionally charged phrases in child health: “Failure to Thrive.”
Rebecca, a rural mum and nurse, unpacks the chaos and confusion that can surround growth tracking—heights, weights, and percentiles—and how this often leads parents to feel like they're failing, when in fact, they're doing an incredible job.
We talk honestly about:
- Why growth charts can be helpful—but also harmful The damaging impact of outdated terms like “failure to thrive”
- What slow growth really means (and what it doesn’t) The importance of context: genetics, family history, and common sense
- How to advocate for care that works for you and your baby
- Why you are the expert on your child—and what to do when a provider makes you feel otherwise
This is your reminder that your worth as a parent is not measured in percentiles. You’re doing a brilliant job, and if no one’s told you lately!
If you loved this episode or it helped you please feel free to leave a review or head over to Instagram @ruralchildhealth and leave a review
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11:31
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11:31
Supporting Families, Not Fixing Kids, Real Talk with Psychologist Emma Richards:
In this insightful episode, Bec from Rural Child Health sits down with psychologist Emma Richards, who brings not only professional expertise but lived experience as a parent of neurodivergent children.
Together, they explore how families can move beyond the traditional therapy room to create calmer, more connected homes. Emma shares her passion for supporting the entire family unit, not just the child in isolation, and offers practical advice for parents who often feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or unheard by the healthcare system. Whether you're raising a child with ADHD, autism, giftedness, or other neurodivergent traits, this conversation offers comfort, clarity, and most of all—hope.
If you loved this episode please send us a DM and let me know. @ruralchildhealth for Bec or @emmarichards.psychologist for Emma
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17:49
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17:49
Navigating Family Events with Kids Without Losing Your Sanity
In this episode, Rebecca dives into one of the most stressful parenting situations: family dinners and gatherings with little ones in tow. She talks about how to navigate generational parenting differences, overstimulation, bedtime battles, food negotiations, and the well-meaning but often unhelpful commentary from relatives.
From handling unsolicited advice to sticking to your child’s routine (or flexing when needed), you’ll find reassurance, humour, and solid strategies in this relatable episode.
What You'll Hear In This Episode:
- Setting boundaries at family gatherings—and why you’re absolutely allowed to
- Tips for managing food expectations
- The “Thank you, I’ll have my baby back” script every parent should practice
- Strategies for dealing with bedtime routines away from home
- Managing your own expectations vs. others’ perceptions
- Baby-wearing and pram tricks for protecting your little one’s space
- One-liners to shut down parenting criticism with confidence and grace
And if this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please shoot me a DM on Instagram and I'd love to hear your story about family events or your experience, or if there's something you really got out of that episode!
Ireland