About The Sick Sense
Ilana Lawrence – Founder, The Sick Sense
Ilana Lawrence is a Paediatric Nurse Consultant and mum of two with over 14 years’ experience caring for children in some of NSW’s busiest hospitals and emergency departments. Having been both a clinician and a parent in the waiting room, she truly understands what it’s like on each side of the emergency triage desk.
She founded The Sick Sense to close the gap in community health literacy — giving parents, carers, and educators the skills and confidence to recognise when a child is unwell, act quickly, and know when to seek urgent help.
Unlike generic first aid courses, The Sick Sense is paediatric-specific and goes beyond the basics. Workshops blend expert medical knowledge with real-world scenarios, covering sickness recognition, red flag signs, and practical responses to emergencies like choking, burns, and poisoning. Participants leave feeling prepared, empowered, and supported — not overwhelmed.
Delivering sessions across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter, and the Central Coast — and now through an online, bite-sized version — Ilana’s mission is simple: to create informed, confident advocates for children’s health, so more families can make the right call at the right time — and potentially save a life.
Areas of expertise
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Masters of Nursing – Advanced Practice Specialising in Paediatrics
- Immunisation for Health Practitioners
Company values
Accessibility
Diversity & Inclusion
Women Owned
Online Baby & Child First Aid Course — ONLY $89
Can’t attend an in-person workshop in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast or Hunter region? Our Online Baby & Child First Aid Course gives parents and carers flexible access to expert-led training from home.
Learn essential skills including:
• Baby & child CPR
• Choking first aid
• Fever and hydration management
• Burns first aid
• Respiratory red flags
• Newborn safety
Enjoy 24/7 access, downloadable resources and two years of learning — designed to boost parental confidence and reduce anxiety in emergencies.
Paediatric-nurse designed. Parent-approved. Ready when you are.
Get in touch
- Newcastle NSW
- Central Coast NSW
- Hunter Region NSW
- Online
Need assistance gathering your village?
Book a ConsultYou may also be interested in...
Learn about the support you didn't know you needed.
We have cherry picked the most useful resources for your fourth trimester so that you don't have to waste precious hours searching.
Watch - Elisha Wildblood and Louise Barton (Not Another Onesie)
What is the perfect mother myth and why does it exist?
The 'perfect mother' myth: What is it and why does it exist?
Article - Lucy Bartlett (Nomad Chiropractic)
Why Would a Baby Need to See a Chiropractor?
Gentle care, big impact — what infant chiropractic is really about When people hear the words “chiropractor” and “baby” in the same sentence, it can raise eyebrows — and fair enough. At Nomad Chiropractic, we don’t “crack” newborns or treat them like tiny adults. In fact, our work with babies is one of the gentlest and most intuitive things we do.
eBook - Jaclyn Carlson (Jaclyn Carlson)
Emotional Toolkit – For Back to Daycare & School
Sending your little one off to daycare, kindergarten or back to school brings up all the feels—relief, pride, grief, sadness, and maybe even a little anxiety. This transition can be even trickier when there is a new baby in the family. You’re not alone in this.
Article - Alice Mason (Align with Alice)
Human Design for Motherhood: Understanding Yourself, Your Child, and Your Parenting
At first glance, you might wonder how Human Design is relevant to your motherhood journey, but I want to share with you the incredible wisdom that this modality offers. The way I see it, this support comes in three powerful ways. It provides guidance and understanding of yourself — how you’re wired and what your needs are. It offers insight into your child and practical guidance to parent in accordance with their unique nature. It strengthens the bond between you, helping you foster a relationship built on understanding rather than expectation.