BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

JUNE 2, 2022

Podcasts have been popular since the mid-2000s, but if you're new to this kind of on-demand audio programming, it’s easy to dip your ear into what’s on offer.  

Cyberspace is buzzing with informative parenting podcasts, sent straight to your smartphone or other internet-connected device. And there’s plenty of high-quality, home-grown content to help you parent like a pro!  

Whether you subscribe to your favourite hosts or tune in to different topics on the fly, here are six Australian-made podcasts to get you started. 

1. BabyTalk, with Penny Johnston 

This weekly podcast is great if you’ve got a bub on board or are getting into the swing of parenting a little human.  

In it, Penny talks about all the baby-related stuff you’d expect, including pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.  

She also raises topics that aren’t necessarily on your radar, like wearable technology to track babies’ sleep, and ‘matrescence,’ which describes the transformation from woman to mum. 

It’s all very interesting, especially if you’re counting down the weeks till birth, or are up late for a night-time feed. 

Find episodes online or get the podcast with ABC listen or other apps, like Apple Podcasts. 

2. Kids Health Info, with Drs Margie Danchin, Lexi Frydenberg and Anthea Rhodes 

If you’re not a doctor (and most of us aren’t!), this podcast from the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne brings you up to speed on the basics of kids’ health.  

It’s hosted by three mums who are paediatricians, and along with their guest experts, the trio talk through common health issues, providing practical tips and trusted advice as they go.  

There are episodes about viruses, fevers, vaccinations, nits, worms, constipation, anxiety, allergies, asthma, head bumps and lots more, so if you’re worried about something, or just curious, this podcast may well help.    

Listen to it online and click here to stay up-to-date with new eps.  

To access 300+ medical fact sheets, install the Kids Health info app on App Store or Google Play. 

3. Parental As Anything, with Maggie Dent  

Author and educator, Maggie Dent, is known as ‘The Queen of Common-sense Parenting,’ so it’s no surprise that her podcast is practical with a capital ‘P.’  

In it, she provides solutions to listeners’ real-life parenting problems, and chats to parenting experts from around the globe.  

Tantrums, bedwetting, sticker charts, screen time and co-parenting are just some of the topics she’s tackled so far, and there’s always the option of asking Maggie a question of your own.  

If you have a young daughter, her brand-new book, Girlhood is worth a read, too.  

Find episodes online or get the podcast with ABC listen or other apps, like Apple Podcasts. 

4. Happy Families, with Dr Justin Coulson and Kylie Coulson 

This podcast is made for ‘time poor parents who want answers now,’ and it’s hosted by a couple who know how busy parenting life can get!  

Justin is a well-known parenting expert with a PhD in Psychology, and he’s raising six kids with his wife and co-host, Kylie. 

Together, they provide lots of practical tips to help you connect with your child, raise them well, and look out for yourself, too.  

Parents of tykes, tweens and teens are all covered, and special guests, like Ten-ager author, Madonna King, also pop into the podcast.   

Find episodes online or subscribe to the podcast with Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts. 

5. Raising Learners, presented by raisingchildren.net.au  

If you have a school-aged child, this 13-part podcast is a wise addition to your listening list.   

Each episode contains expert tips to support your kiddo’s learning, with info about things like parent-school relationships, internet safety, learning goals, and boredom-busting.  

Find episodes online or subscribe to the podcast with Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or other common apps.  

6. Gotta Be Done! A Bluey Podcast, with Kate McMahon and Mary Bolling 

A good podcast digs deep in its area of interest, and if your young child is interested (ok, obsessed) with Bluey, then Kate and Mary are here to educate you about the finer points of this fam-friendly, dog-tastic ’toon.  

Gotta Be Done! explains each Bluey episode in entertaining detail, and because Kate and Mary are ex-journos and modern mums, their anecdotes about kids, life and everything are fun listening, even if you (secretly) don’t love Bluey as much as them! 

Find episodes here or follow the podcast on Spotify, Stitcher or Apple Podcasts.   

It’s worth remembering that this list is just a start, and every podcast has its own personality. Some dispense serious advice, others like a laugh, and with a bit of trial and error, you’ll find the podcasts that are perfect for you.  

Happy listening!