When your child is miserable with a cough or fever, the medicine cabinet can feel like the only place to turn. But how many of those colourful syrups and familiar bottles are actually helping—and how many are quietly doing harm?

In this episode, Dr. Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman take a hard look at the medications parents reach for most. From the sedating antihistamines Claudia calls "dirty drugs" to the cough syrups containing opioids, they unpack why some of these remedies are not just ineffective but potentially dangerous for children.

They explore the decongestants that can spike heart rates and blood pressure, the oral steroids that are far too easily prescribed, and the antibiotics we demand even when they won't touch a virus. Claudia explains why that red syrup from your own childhood might need to stay in the past, and why a wait-and-see approach is often the wisest medicine of all.

But this isn't about fear-mongering. It's about clarity—knowing when medication is genuinely needed, when natural doesn't automatically mean safe, and why sometimes the most powerful thing you can give a sick child is time, rest, and a little honey.

If you've ever stood in a pharmacy aisle overwhelmed by choices, this episode will help you make decisions with confidence, not guilt.

Dr Claudia Gray:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/

Dr Claudia Gray’s Real Parenting and Paediatrics, Quivertree Publications 2025

https://www.takealot.com/dr-gray-s-real-parenting-paediatrics/PLID98849917

Christy Herselman:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thechatdurban/

Books:

https://thechat.co.za/product-category/books/

Walk into any pharmacy or listen to any school gate conversation, and you'll hear about the latest supplement promising stronger immunity, fewer sick days, and healthier children. But how much of this is backed by science, and how much is clever marketing?

In this episode, Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman tackle the million-rand question every parent faces: Do our children really need immune-boosting supplements, or is a healthy diet and lifestyle enough?

Christy opens up about the debate in her own home—raised on the belief that food provides everything a child needs, while her husband comes from a family that swears by supplements. Together, they dig into the latest research, including recent health warnings about vitamin D overdose and zinc supplements for children.

Claudia explains why toddlers are naturally prone to frequent infections (hint: they're building immunity, not lacking it) and why the basics—sleep, nutrition, outdoor play, and stress management—are the true foundation of a healthy immune system. Claudia also offers practical guidance on which supplements can be genuinely helpful, at what doses, and for which children. She shares a sobering story about the dangers of incorrect dosing and why more is definitely not better when it comes to vitamins and minerals.

Tune in for a conversation that will leave you informed, empowered, and ready to navigate the supplement maze with confidence.

Dr Claudia Gray:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/

Dr Claudia Gray’s Real Parenting and Paediatrics, Quivertree Publications 2025

https://www.takealot.com/dr-gray-s-real-parenting-paediatrics/PLID98849917

Christy Herselman:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thechatdurban/

Books:

https://thechat.co.za/product-category/books/

In our very first episode, we're tackling a question every modern parent grapples with: Is that smartphone in your hand a helpful parenting tool, or is it a trap that fuels anxiety and self-doubt?

Join Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman as they explore the five ways our digital devices are quietly reshaping parenthood. From the overwhelm of information overload to the danger of the comparison trap, they unpack how Dr Google and perfectly curated social media feeds can actually leave us feeling more lost and alone.

Together, they introduce their four S's for spotting sensationalism and discuss what happens when we let our phones become what they call an "intuition obliterator." Most importantly, they remind us why swapping ChatGPT for the authentic GPT—grandparents, parents, and teachers—might just be the connection we're truly craving.

Tune in for a sincere conversation about keeping your village close and your parenting intuition closer in a digital world.

Dr Claudia Gray:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/

Dr Claudia Gray’s Real Parenting and Paediatrics, Quivertree Publications 2025

https://www.takealot.com/dr-gray-s-real-parenting-paediatrics/PLID98849917

Christy Herselman:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thechatdurban/

Books:

https://thechat.co.za/product-category/books/