Mortdale mother-of-two, Sofia Potente was overjoyed when she found out she was pregnant with her second son, Isaac.
But when he was born with severe gastroesophageal reflux, the challenge of managing his condition began.
“No matter what we did, Isaac screamed around the clock in pain,” Mrs Potente said.
“The first year of his life was a cycle of medication, hospital and doctor visits.
“Nothing we tried worked. We ended up on a waiting list for stomach surgery.”
Desperate to avoid surgery, the family turned to dietary changes and natural remedies to ease her son’s pain.
The Mortdale mother also removed chemicals from her home to create a healthier environment for her son.
Within months, Isaac was medication free and his condition dramatically improved.
As a public health researcher and educator, Mrs Potente launched her health business, The Natural Switch, which spreads her message of natural living.
She also teaches wellness classes at Mortdale.
“I want to help others to create healthier homes and become more empowered health consumers,” she said.
“We have a choice about our nutrition and what we use in our homes.”