The Baby Tribe
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
The Baby Tribe podcast is dedicated to providing parents and caregivers with the latest information and expert advice on maternal health and well-being during pregnancy and the postpartum period, in addition to infant health, nutrition, and growth. This podcast covers all the important topics to ensure both you and your little one get off to the best start. The podcast is hosted by the husband and wife duo, Professor Afif El-Khuffash, a neonatologist, paediatrician, and lactation consultant, and Doctor Anne Doherty, an obstetric anesthesiologist with expertise in maternal care. Both Anne and Afif work at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin...
Episodes
- 128: Leaking Isn’t Normal: Pelvic Floor Health, Surgery & the Mesh Debate
This episode explores pelvic floor health, common problems like prolapse and incontinence, and treatment options. It also addresses the controversy surrounding mesh surgery and encourages women to seek help and make informed decisions abou…
- 127: When Birth Doesn’t Go to Plan: Understanding Postpartum Care
This episode of The Baby Tribe discusses postpartum care when birth doesn't go as planned, covering early warning signs, escalation of care, and common complications. It explains the differences between ward care, HDU, and ICU, and the emo…
- 126: I Thought I’d Be a Mother… Then Life Took a Different Turn
In this episode of The Baby Tribe, comedian Aideen McQueen shares her personal journey of coming to terms with not having children, discussing identity, addiction recovery, and redefining a meaningful life. She explores the emotional compl…
- 125: Clare McKenna on Finding Your Version of Wellness (Without the Pressure)
In this episode of The Baby Tribe, Clare McKenna discusses the modern obsession with wellness and its potential negative impact on parents. She shares her journey from striving for perfect health to realizing how wellness can become a sour…
- 124: Understanding Baby Sleep: Biology vs Sleep Training
This episode explores the biological realities of infant sleep, addressing common myths about night waking and development. It also analyzes various sleep training methods and the marketing practices of the modern baby sleep industry.
- 123: Hilary McGann (News by Hil): From Global News to Motherhood
In this episode, journalist Hilary McGann joins The Baby Tribe to discuss her transition to motherhood, including her experience with a high-risk pregnancy. The conversation covers the challenges of staying informed while parenting and how…
- 122: Fear Less with Dr David Coleman: Are We Raising Anxious Kids?
Clinical psychologist Dr. David Coleman joins The Baby Tribe to discuss childhood anxiety. The episode explores the prevalence of anxiety in children, distinguishes between normal fears and serious concerns, and offers strategies for suppo…
- 121: Pregnant With Cancer: Emma’s Story of NICU, Chemotherapy, and Change
Emma McGuinness shares her experience of being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma while pregnant, the challenges of navigating chemotherapy and the NICU, and her subsequent campaign that successfully changed Irish maternity leave legislatio…
- 120: NICU Explained: The Real Reasons Newborns Need Extra Care
Afif and Anne discuss the common reasons newborns are admitted to the NICU, such as feeding challenges and breathing difficulties. The episode explains the physiology behind these issues and provides reassurance that many NICU stays are pa…
- 119: Epidurals and the Myth of the Intervention Cascade with Professor Rachel Kearns
Professor Rachel Kearns, a consultant anaesthetist and population health researcher, joins the podcast to discuss the evidence surrounding epidurals and common myths regarding intervention cascades. The episode examines large-scale studies…
- 118: Doireann Garrihy on Becoming Rosie’s Mum
Broadcaster Doireann Garrihy discusses her personal experiences with pregnancy, her C-section birth, and the challenges of the early weeks of motherhood on The Baby Tribe. The episode covers topics including breastfeeding, parental pressur…
- 117: Sophia Wren on Young Motherhood, Post Partum Depression, and Finding Comedy
Comedian and writer Sophia Wren discusses her experience with young motherhood, postpartum mental health, and the impact of matrescence on The Baby Tribe. She also shares how finding comedy helped her manage personal challenges and rebuild…
- 116: Pregnancy and Postpartum Skincare with Sara Stokes founder of SKN to SKN
Sara Stokes, founder of SKN to SKN, discusses hormonal skin changes, pregnancy-safe skincare ingredients, and simple routines for new mothers. The episode also touches on matrescence, postpartum anxiety, and the pressures regarding appeara…
- 115: Is Formula Harmful? Recalls, Switching Brands, and What the Evidence Actually Says
In this episode of The Baby Tribe, hosts Afif and Anne discuss recent formula recalls, guidance on switching brands, and safe preparation methods. They also examine research regarding breast milk and formula to address concerns about the s…
- 114: Home Birth: Choice, Safety, and What Informed Consent Needs
This episode of The Baby Tribe distinguishes between free birth and planned home birth, exploring the risks associated with birth complications. The hosts discuss maternal and neonatal emergencies, the realities of Irish transfer services,…
- New Season Coming Soon!
A new season of The Baby Tribe podcast premieres on HeadStuff Podcasts on January 27th, with sponsorship from BioGaia Ireland.
- 113: Understanding Infant Feeding & Growth
In this episode of The Baby Tribe, the host discusses infant feeding and growth patterns. The discussion aims to reassure parents by emphasizing individual growth paths over strict centile expectations, while also touching on initial weigh…
- 112: Emma Kehoe on Navigating Parenthood with Mindful Strategies
Life and mindfulness coach Emma Kehoe discusses strategies for mindful parenting, covering topics such as setting boundaries, communication, and handling challenging interactions with children. The episode provides practical tools for main…
- 111: Dr Anne Doherty Unlocking the Truth About Epidurals
Dr. Anne Doherty and host Afif discuss the epidural procedure for childbirth, detailing the process from anesthesia to pain relief. The episode addresses common myths, the practicalities of mobile epidurals, and the importance of understan…
- 110: Legal Insights and Support Strategies for Working Mothers
Employment law solicitor Michelle Loughnane discusses pregnancy discrimination in the workplace and advocates for the rights of pregnant employees. Drawing on her professional and personal experiences, she examines common challenges and le…
- 109: Guiding Families Through a Down Syndrome Diagnosis
Silvia Segales-Angel from Down Syndrome Ireland and mother Emer O'Sullivan join The Baby Tribe to discuss supporting families after a Down syndrome diagnosis. The conversation highlights the Tell it Right program and the importance of empa…
- 108: Professor Maeve Eogan on Insights into Sexual Assault Treatment and Care
Professor Maeve Eogan, national clinical lead for Ireland's Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs), discusses patient-centered care, the collaboration between maternity services and SATUs, and the importance of trauma-informed support.
- 107: Baby Tribe Live with Stefanie Preissner & Nicola Fox Hamilton
In this live episode of The Baby Tribe, Afif and Anne share personal parenting anecdotes. They are joined by Stefanie Preissner to discuss autism, motherhood, and her projects, followed by Dr. Nicola Fox-Hamilton on digital literacy for ch…
- 106: Grooving with Graham: Music for Babies and Beyond
Musician and broadcaster Graham Smyth discusses his project, Music for Babies to Rave and Sleep To, which blends toy instruments, electronic beats, and baby sounds in an effort to create music that is enjoyable for both infants and parents.
- 105: Emma Doran on Comedy, Motherhood, and Family Dynamics
Comedian Emma Doran joins The Baby Tribe to discuss her experiences with motherhood, career growth, and navigating family dynamics. She shares insights on finding humor in parenting, her creative process, and her show, Emmaculate.
- 104: Conversation and Consumer Awareness with Sophie Morris
In this episode of The Baby Tribe, hosts Afif and Anne speak with entrepreneur and nutrition coach Sophie Morris about consumer awareness, reading food labels, and making informed family food choices. They discuss supermarket shopping, mis…
- 103: Louise McSharry on Balancing Parenthood, Technology, and Personal Joy
Broadcaster and podcaster Louise McSharry discusses the realities of modern parenting, including managing ADHD, navigating medical challenges, and finding joy while raising children. The conversation also explores the importance of empathy…
- 102: Dr Ann McHugh on Antenatal Screening and Maternal Care
Dr. Ann McHugh, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, discusses her career in maternal and fetal medicine, including antenatal screening, fetal cardiology, and the benefits of multiple birth clinics. She also reflects on balancing a…
- 101: Transforming Mealtime: Handling Fussy Eaters with Samantha Forrest
Samantha Forrest from Fussy Food Plates joins The Baby Tribe to discuss practical strategies for managing fussy eating in children. They explore the roots of picky eating, parental influence, and provide relatable stories about navigating…
- 7: KUWTK – Debunking the Myths of Maternal Pain Relief and Autism in Children
In this episode of The Baby Tribe, hosts share personal family anecdotes while addressing misconceptions regarding autism. The discussion includes debunking theories linking vaccines, pregnancy-related paracetamol use, and epidurals to aut…
- 100: 100 Episodes of Baby Tribe: Laughs, Lessons, and Parenting Chaos
In the 100th episode of The Baby Tribe, hosts Anne and Afif reflect on the podcast's journey, exploring their dynamic, behind-the-scenes editing challenges, and memorable parenting stories. They discuss their growth into a parenting resour…
- 99: Navigating Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) in Newborns
This episode of The Baby Tribe discusses hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in newborns, exploring the condition, treatments like therapeutic hypothermia, and the importance of early intervention. Guest Betsy Pilon shares her personal e…
- 98: Let's Talk About Endometriosis with Jen Rock and Dr Niamh Daly
In this episode, Jennifer Rock and Dr. Niamh Daly discuss the complexities of endometriosis. Rock shares her personal journey from initial symptoms to a hysterectomy, while Dr. Daly provides medical insight on the importance of emotional s…
- 97: Professor Caitriona Ryan on Skincare Guidance for Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Beyond
Dermatologist Professor Caitriona Ryan discusses skin health during pregnancy and the postpartum period, covering topics like hormonal acne, melasma, and neonatal skin conditions. The episode provides expert advice on skincare routines and…
- 96: Louise Cooney on Balancing Parenthood and the Online World
Content creator Louise Cooney joins The Baby Tribe to discuss balancing parenthood with an online presence. They cover navigating privacy, evolving parent identities, building community through her book club, and managing online criticism.
- 95: Preventing Preterm Birth: Insights from Dr. Siobhan Corcoran
In this episode, Dr. Siobhan Corcoran discusses strategies for preventing preterm birth, including insights from the PREPOP study on probiotics. The conversation covers risk identification, clinical interventions, and the importance of hol…
- 94: Embracing Life’s Squiggly Lines: Aoife Dunne on Loss, Purpose, and Redefining Womanhood
Aoife Dunne joins The Baby Tribe to discuss her personal journey of loss, navigating unconventional family roles, and challenging societal expectations regarding womanhood and childlessness. The conversation emphasizes finding purpose and…
- 93: A Conversation with Professor Jennifer Donnelly: Innovations and Insights in Maternal Health
Professor Jennifer Donnelly discusses her career in maternal fetal medicine, her time as Clinical Director at the Rotunda Hospital, and advancements in maternal health. The episode covers risk assessments for complications like postpartum…
- 92: Understanding Pregnancy and Weight with Dr. Anne Doherty
Obstetric anaesthesiologist Dr. Anne Doherty joins The Baby Tribe Podcast to discuss the medical implications of weight during pregnancy. The conversation focuses on empathetic communication, the role of language in healthcare, and underst…
- 91: Unravelling the Complexity of Body Weight and Health
Dr. Mick Crotty discusses the complexities of obesity as a chronic neuroendocrine disease, emphasizing the need to move beyond BMI-focused weight management. The conversation covers societal biases, the role of medical treatments like GLP-…
- 90: Reimagining Gynaecological Health for Young Girls
Dr. Geraldine Connolly and Paula Herbert discuss My Girl's Gynae, an initiative combining Western medicine and holistic practices to support girls and parents through puberty and menstruation. The episode covers early puberty, menstrual he…
- 89: Understanding Parental Anxiety with Allison Keating
Chartered psychologist Allison Keating discusses parental anxiety during the perinatal and postnatal periods. The episode explores the challenges of transitioning to parenthood, the impact of societal pressures, and strategies for managing…
- 88: Carl Mullan on Balancing Fame and Fatherhood
Radio presenter Carl Mullan joins The Baby Tribe to discuss his experiences with modern fatherhood, balancing work and family life, and the emotional shifts parents face. The conversation covers the need for flexible parental leave and the…
- 6 KUWTK: Sweet Secrets: Unveiling Sugar's Impact on Health and Pregnancy
In this episode of Keeping Up with the Khuffashians, the hosts discuss the health impacts of sugar, particularly during pregnancy and fetal development. They also reflect on podcast production, beauty standards across cultures, and the imp…
- 5 KUWTK: A Deep Dive into Marriage, Pregnancy, and Conflict Resolution
In this episode of The Baby Tribe, the hosts discuss their multicultural wedding experiences, pregnancy physiology, and the societal pressures on new parents. They also share stories about family fitness challenges and navigating relations…
- 87: Navigating Parenthood with Twins: Challenges, Support, and Weaning Insights
Paediatric and neonatal dietitian Anne-Claire Glynn shares her personal experience raising twins, covering pregnancy challenges, postpartum support, and expert advice on weaning. This episode offers insights into navigating high-risk pregn…
- 86: Parenting Chaos and Comedy: Zac Lee on Fatherhood, Colic, and Breaking Stereotypes
Comedian and father Zac Lee joins the podcast to discuss the realities of raising children, including managing colic and challenging traditional parenting stereotypes. The conversation explores balancing fatherhood with a career in comedy…
- 85: Mastering Toddler Tantrums and Play Therapy with Hayley Rice
Child and adolescent psychotherapist Hayley Rice joins The Baby Tribe to discuss managing toddler tantrums and fostering emotional development through play therapy. The episode covers strategies for maintaining calm during behavioral chall…
- 84: Navigating Postpartum Breast Cancer: Awareness, Resilience, and the Role of Community Support
Angela O'Connell shares her personal experience of being diagnosed with postpartum breast cancer, while Professor Janice Walsh provides expert medical insights on the condition. The episode also highlights the support the Irish Cancer Soci…
- 83: Professor Jonathan Hourihane on Allergies, Development and the Microbiome
Professor Jonathan Hourihane discusses insights from the CORAL cohort studies regarding infant development, the microbiome, and the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns. The episode covers allergy outcomes, the role of diet and breastfeeding, and…