Babytalk: Recent Episodes
ABC Radio
Welcome to parenthood, the most exhausting, exhilarating and emotional ride of your life! ABC Babytalk is all about the roller-coaster ride of having a baby in your life.
Co sleeping with your baby has always been controversial. So what are the dangers of co-sleeping? Is it possible to co-sleep safely?
Have you ever wondered what the midwives are thinking as they help you with your birth?
Most of us get pregnant and are happy to do what we're told, but what if you're a super high achieving Professor of Health Economics at Brown University.. would you just do what your obstetrician says.. or would you like to see some serious research first?
Most of us get pregnant and are happy to do what we're told, but what if you're a super high achieving Professor of Health Economics at Brown University.. would you just do what your obstetrician says.. or would you like to see some serious research first?
Many parents don't prioritise the care of baby teeth assuming they're not important because they'll eventually fall out. But this isn't true, baby teeth have a vital role to play in a child's development.
Pain. It's one of the topics we don't discuss much in the process of having a baby. But there might be another source of pain waiting for you that's known as de Quervain's tenosynovitis.
Everyday we hear stories about how children in Australia are overweight and obese. Where can you get the information you need to navigate the task of feeding and weaning your baby?
Does your baby enjoy tummy time? Are you finding it difficult to convince your baby to spend time on their belly? This week on Babytalk we'll find out why tummy time is really important for your baby's development.
Apgar is a quick test performed on a baby at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. The 1-minute score represents how well the baby tolerated the birthing process. The 5-minute score tells the health care provider how well the baby is doing.
Where do you get the guilt free advice you need if you can't exclusively breast feed your baby?
If you've ever wondered if your toddler's obsession with their teddy dummy or blankie is okay, this is a podcast you need to listen to.
We know we should limit the amount of time babies and children spend looking at screens but why? What actual harm can it do.. in this podcast you'll meet a researcher who can give you some good reasons to try and limit your child's early exposure to screens.
While we can sometimes joke about 'baby brain' and it's affects on us during pregnancy scientists have discovered it's a physical, quantifiable change they can show on a MRI scan/
This week everything you need to know (and probably a bit more) about the umbilical cord!
Twins have always fascinated us but is there more to their connection than just being double trouble for their poor parents and a puzzle to the rest of us if we're trying to tell them apart.
Starting your breastfeeding experience can be a very intense experience but so can weaning your baby.. is there a way to make it as easy as possible?
Here's a great episode to share with your family, the anti-ageing effects of being a grandparent!
We know breast milk is the best thing to feed a new baby but do we really know how amazing it is?
Imagine having the worst food poisoning of your life.. and knowing it's not going to go away for the next nine months.
What happens if you realize you're not going to make it to hospital to have your baby? Should you really send your partner off to boil water? What do you do?
Does the medical model of childbirth have a bias against women? Should we be doing something about it?
If you decide you don't want to breastfeed your baby that should be your choice entirely but you shouldn't be influenced by external influences!
Perinatal Anxiety and Depression is a cruel disease that strikes at what should be the most joyful time of your life.
Parental burnout, is it a real thing? How do you know if it's affecting you and what can you do about it?
This week we're going to learn how parents with disabilities are able to care for their children with amazing courage and ability
When a woman gives birth she becomes a mother and sometimes something else. This week we meet a woman who traded a high flying New York lifestyle to become a birth doula
Pregnancy Virgin is a bonkers name for a book but it's a great explanation of just how bewildered you can be about everything when you're pregnant for the first time
This week we look at some of the latest technology available to track your baby's sleep but is it possible you can track too much?
What do you really need to know about giving birth? A Professor of Obstetrics gives a cheat sheet of his most important facts for women waiting to have a baby.
Alcohol can cause damage to your unborn baby and women are now being advised to stop drinking before they start trying to get pregnant.
Sometimes it's not an easy path to become a mother. Kiera Rumble talks to us about her dramatic journey to meet baby Hunter.
Children are getting ready to begin their education at pre-school, what can we do as families to make sure they're ready to go?
Breast feeding might be one of the hardest things you'll attempt as a new mother.. this week one mum's struggles with breastfeeding and her desire to help others by inventing a device to relieve pain
How do you know if you and your partner are carrying a gene that might affect your future babies? New advances in screening can help couples before they get pregnant.
Would you know if your baby was becoming dehydrated on a hot day? In this week's podcast how to take note of the signs and prevent this dangerous condition.
Babytalk: Post Pandemic Babies is now a hashtag of it's own, how our babies are going to cope with post pandemic life? What do we need to help our isolated babies get used to life back in society?
This week on Babytalk meet Amy Taylor Kabbaz who is talking about the way your life can change when you become a mother.
How are you going to cope with your baby's first Christmas? Travel, food, alcohol, routine we've got all the hard questions covered in this podcast
For some women the birth of a baby can also be a mental health emergency, this week we hear Gen's experience of Perinatal Psychosis
We know babies don't come with instruction manuals; but if your baby isn't doing any of the things they 'should' be.. does that mean you're doing it wrong, or could it be the 'expert'?
This month is Baby Safety Month and this week we're looking at dangers for your baby that you might not expect at home
There's a lot of stuff that happens to your body when you have a baby and leaking is one of them..
What happens when researchers can collect health information from a whole generation of babies? Generation V hopes this will lead to powerful tools to prevent disease and unnecessary illness
Did you know there's a push to have the phrase 'Matresence' recognised? It's a term used to describe the transformation of a woman into a mother, and it's believed the changes experienced can be similar to adolescence
We're about to open up from lockdowns and live with Covid-19 and the delta variant but what can you do to keep your baby and toddlers safe until there's a vaccine for children?
Are you worried about getting a Covid 19 vaccination while you're pregnant? If you've heard all the rumours or the reasons why you don't need the vaccine, this week's podcast tells you why you need to get the shot to keep you and your baby safe.
Why does having a baby suddenly mean you're going to be dumped with all the unpaid jobs around the house?
Having a baby is sometimes an incredible opportunity to change the rest of your life, this week we take a look at the new trend of 'Futuresteading'.. is this something you might consider?
Here's a great episode to share with your family, the anti-ageing effects of being a grandparent!
What can we do to counteract lockdown fatigue for our littlest children. What are they missing in early education while in lockdown and how can we recreate that learning at home.
For some of us the chaos of baby clutter can be one of worst bits of being a parent. Is it possible to bring this under control?
Getting sick for the first time as a parent is a horrible experience. It's a realization that your priorities have changed forever.. no more wallowing or lying on the couch recovering. Parenting doesn't take a break
You would be a brave woman to set out to be a single mother but what if it's a situation that's forced upon you? This week on Babytalk the best advice for the way forward.
Where do you turn if you think there's something not quite right with your child's development or behaviour? Hopefully it's nothing to worry about but if you need help where do you turn?
If this is your first lockdown or your fifth, can some planning help from Nicole Avery help you through?
Counselling sessions, endless paperwork and the cost, why wouldn't you skip the expense of an IVF clinic and find a sperm donor online?
We used to know how babies are made but now thanks to technology a baby can have many parents who have contributed to their creation. In this week's podcast what to consider before jumping into donor conception.
Is there an answer to the incredible overwhelm of life as a modern parent? This week's podcast looks at how to escape the cycle of doom-scrolling and really start to care.
We know that new dads are very likely to experience anxiety after the birth of a child but how much information is around to help them navigate this new normal? Two famous blokes might have some answers.
There is no guarantee you're going to have the birth you planned. Sometimes that is going to mean a C-Section. How much do you need to know before getting to the birth suite?
How important is birth order in your child's developing personality? Should you risk another child disrupting your family dynamic?
How important is breastfeeding for your child's future health? New research into the role of breastfeeding for preventing disease in later life is proving how incredible breast milk can be.
The survival of tiny premature babies could be considered a miracle, of love, faith and modern medicine. But the emotional toll can be enormous for families who find themselves suddenly in a club they never expected to join. This week we meet some of the people behind the Miracle Babies Foundation.
Ever since the birth of the world's first IVF baby there have been concerns about what health outcomes might be different for these scientifically conceived humans. Do IVF babies have health problems their free range cohort do not?
Every woman knows about the biological clock but do men? We take a look at male infertility, the role of age and sperm health and how IVF technology is trying to help.
Babies have a natural bias to sweet food and food marketers want to take advantage! How do you solve the puzzle, beat the labels and figure out what you're actually feeding your child.
Babies born before term can have a very rough introduction to life without the complication of tiny organs being put under pressure before their due date. New research from the Hudson Institute is trying to find a solution to a problem suffered by premature babies known as necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).
Is it possible to negotiate a good divorce without the help of lawyers? What should you be trying to achieve in a custody dispute? Straight talking advice from a lawyer who has seen too many Family Court disasters this week on Babytalk.
What is it really like to start breastfeeding? What should you know that you don't? How do you stop blaming yourself and understand some useful information that might help?
How the team behind Red Nose Day is turning their attention to preventing the heartbreak of stilllbirth
Is it possible for your baby to share your dinner? This week on Babytalk we take a look at some recipes that use the latest research into allergies to provide some guidance to introducing solids to your baby in a way the whole family will enjoy.
Australian children and babies suffer from some of the highest rates of allergy in the world. What's being done to reduce that early onset of allergic reactions?
Does Australia's maternity system need to change? Intervention and caesarean rates are three times the figure proposed by the World Health Organisation and reported birth trauma on the rise what needs to improve for women to get the birth they deserve?
Are you ready to embrace the new movement 'Half-arsed Parenting'? Might you possibly achieve more by doing less??
Your newborn baby would have been given a newborn hearing screening test. But how can you tell if their hearing is developing normally?
We know lots of mums spend time on line searching for parenting advice but what about dads? Good practical advice for men can be hard to find, this week on Babytalk a project for dads sponsored by the Movember fundraiser.
Please don't tell frazzled new parents this but children with sleep problems can be much more difficult to deal with than babies.
We know that it's important to be as healthy as we can possibly be whilst pregnant but what happens if you're naturally overweight? What role does weight stigma play in pregnancy?
Did you know your relationship is most at risk when you have a baby? This week what might help eliminate conflict in your family relationship
Everyone wants their children to develop healthy resilience from an early age. But how do you help very young children deal with some of the difficult moments they're likely to encounter as they grow?
What really happens behind the scenes of an IVF Clinic? This week on Babytalk we peek into the laboratories that create new life on a daily basis.
Do you worry about your family's waste footprint? In this week's Babytalk podcast we'll find out how to reduce the amount of stuff, rubbish and time you can waste as a family!
The Babes Project helps mostly young isolated women on their path to become mothers. They help women no matter what their circumstances but how did they keep their support going during a pandemic?
How are you going to cope with your baby's first Christmas? Travel, food, alcohol, routine we've got all the hard questions covered in this podcast
Have you ever suffered from anxiety? Has it appeared more frequently now your a mother? This week we have some advice especially for mums dealing with anxiety.
Would you ever consider having a baby on your own? We meet a solo mum who shares some of the soul searching that went into having a baby alone.
It's the virus that has been dominating our lives for almost a year. We're terrified of what it might do to us but how would you cope if you were diagnosed with Covid-19 while you were pregnant?
'Lioness' the story of a woman's determination to create her family through adoption. Sue Brierly the adopted mother of Saroo Brierly (who inspired the film 'Lion' talks about her journey to motherhood.
PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and depression Australia) has been helping new parents with their mental health for years but the Covid-19 has bought new challenges even for this resilient organization
Losing a baby during pregnancy is always heartbreaking but the loss can seem even more pronounced when it occurs closer to their due date. The terminology varies but usually babies lost after around 20 weeeks gestation are refered to as stillborn.
The origins of one of the world’s most beloved baby development book, the ‘Wonder Weeks’.
For the last 40 years IVF technology has made parents dreams come true, one in 30 babies born in Australia owe their existence to assisted reproduction technology.
On Babytalk week we talk about birth plans, how to really plan for your best possible birth and what it takes to avoid birth trauma.
You don't need to be try too hard to be anxious about the situation we find ourselves in with Covid-19 but for anyone pregnant or planning to be there are more reasons to worry.
Did you know the of all the senses your baby is born with the only one in full working order is their hearing? Your earliest connection with your aby will be through sound and this is why music is so important in our lives.
Gut health has been one of the big developments in health in recent years. There are new links that have been identified between a baby's gut health and allergies. In this podcast, what you need to know about your baby's gut health.
We know it takes two people to make a baby but why does the non-birthing partner get so little attention from the health care workers. In a recent survey 43% of men said the health system failed them as they planned to or became a father.
You knew becoming a parent would involve hard work and sacrifice but when is it your turn to be the priority (even for time on the loo?)
Before the Covid-19 lockdown 40,000 children were attending Playgroups every week in Victoria. With families asked to stay at home to stop the spread of the virus, Playgroups have come up with an innovative way of creating some of their magic for families at home.
Can you keep playing your favourite sport if you're pregnant? What about returning to sport post partum? This week we speak to an exercise scientist about the what we do know about exercise, both during and after pregnancy.
What's worrying breastfeeding mothers during a global pandemic? The Australian Breastfeeding Association has completed some research into the questions women are asking to work out the best ways to help.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association has moved most of it's most helpful services online to help new parents through the Covid-19 crisis but the move has been so popular online help will be here to stay.
In this podcast some of the help the Australian Government is giving families during this Coronavirus pandemic
There are a very few amazing people who can make a budget and stick to it. If you're not one of those people we have some ideas that might help.
Are you reading regularly to your baby or toddler? It's so good for their developing brains and now there's another way you can enjoy some of the best Australian Childrens Literature.
We’ve changed so much that was previously thought impossible during this pandemic from free childcare and working from home. Do we want to give it up?
Do you know what your baby's temperature should be? Are you confident with your home thermometer? In this podcast we talk about temperature for very new babies and why it's important to be able to check.
Extraordinary Parenting at Home. Considering all we've learned and experienced during the Covid-19 crisis, how much of our lockdown parenting do we want to let go and what is worth keeping as we move back to normal?
Do you think your family dynamics might be improved by a little mindfulness? This week we explore some of the positives of mindfulness with CEO at Smiling Mind Dr Addie Wootten. She explains how the Smiling Mind app might be able to help your family find some calm and routine in your daily life, no matter how crazy!
You might be wondering why we're talking about Antarctica this week but it's possible that our experience of social isolation might mirror the experience of being on an expedition in the snowy south.
We know this lockdown has been hard for everyone but what about dads? This week ideas for dads to not only survive but thrive in this pandemic.
The Gidget Foundation has been working with anxious new parents reaching out to wherever they might be. Their online tele-health capability might just be a lifesaver during the Covid-19 lockdown
Is it possible to be organized during a pandemic? Could you and your family develop routines and strategies that might even help you beyond this current crisis? This week on the Babytalk podcast we travel again to New York City to consult with Julie Morgenstern
What's it like as a mum in lockdown in the heart of NY City? We meet Australian mum Amelia and find out about how she's living with the New York Pause
Staying at home to keep our families safe during this pandemic is playing havoc with our children's education. How can we best manage (and survive) a term of school and kindergarten at home?
What does giving birth look like during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Will you be forced to undergo a birth you didn't want, will you be able to bring a support person, will you be expected to leave hospital early?
The latest information about Covid-19, during pregnancy and birth, and how the lockdown is affecting IVF procedures
Are you being asked to work from home.. is it even possible with a house full of small (or large) children?
If ever there was a time to take up planning to make your home life easier this would be it! Can planning help you overcome the overwhelm that Covid-19 is throwing at us?
What do you need to know about keeping your baby safe during the Covid-19 crisis. Australia's Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer tells us the best ways of keeping our babies safe.
Gestational Diabetes is a condition of pregnancy that affects 18 per cent of us. This Babytalk podcast takes a look at how you work with your doctor to keep both yourself and your baby healthy with this condition.