The Baby Tribe

Jaksot

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  Welcome To The Family Tribe 18.09.2026 2min

  Parenting doesn’t come with a manual but The Family Tribe is here to be part of the village that helps you through it.Hosted by husband-and-wife medical experts Dr Afif El Khuffash and Dr Anne Doherty, The Family Tribe offers honest, evidence-based advice for parents and guardians of children from newborns right through to teenagers. Bringing together more than 40 years of combined clinical experience, as well as their own lived experience as parents, Afif and Anne help listeners navigate the chaos, love, worry, tears and awe of family life.With two episodes each week, the podcast cuts through the noise of online advice and misinformation to explore the topics that matter most — from pregnancy, newborn care and child development to mental health, family relationships, teenage challenges and common parenting worries.Main episodes are released every Tuesday, with a shorter Baby Bonus episode focused on pregnancy and baby health every Thursday.Expect myth-busting conversations, expert interviews, real listener stories, well-known guests and practical guidance designed to reassure, inform and support parents, guardians and the wider family at every stage of the journey.
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  BTS: Is Private Maternity Care Really Safer? 06.07.2026 16min

  A large Australian study comparing public and private maternity care seemed to show better outcomes for mothers and babies in private obstetric-led care, including lower rates of stillbirth, NICU admission, severe perineal tears, and maternal haemorrhage. But the story is much more complicated than the headline suggests.In this episode of Baby Tribe Shorts, Afif and Anne unpack the study and ask whether it really proves that private care is safer, or whether the results reflect something deeper: differences in patient selection, continuity of care, intervention thresholds, and the fact that public hospitals often absorb the highest-risk pregnancies.They also discuss why the findings may not translate neatly to Ireland, where private obstetric care usually sits within public maternity hospitals rather than separate private maternity units. The take-home message is not that public care is worse, but that fragmented care, lack of continuity, and risk transfer matter. A high-risk hospital having worse outcomes does not mean it gives worse care. Sometimes it simply means it is looking after the patients who need the most help.Link to Article: https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.18286
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  BTS: Paracetamol, Pregnancy and Autism: What Parents Need to Know 29.06.2026 14min

  In this episode of Baby Tribe Shorts, Afif and Anne tackle the anxiety caused by recent headlines linking paracetamol use in pregnancy with autism, ADHD and intellectual disability. They walk through a major Lancet systematic review and meta-analysis, explaining why the best-quality evidence, especially sibling comparison studies, does not support a causal link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and these neurodevelopmental outcomes.The episode also explains why paracetamol remains the recommended first-line option for pain and fever in pregnancy, why untreated fever can itself be harmful, and why earlier studies may have suggested a risk because of confounding, recall bias and the reasons people take medication in the first place. The key message for parents is clear: use paracetamol when needed, at recommended doses, and don’t let fear-driven headlines make pregnancy harder than it already is. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(25)00211-0/fulltext
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  BTS: Should Everyone Be Induced at 39 Weeks? 22.06.2026 19min

  In this episode of Baby Tribe Shorts, Afif and Anne take a closer look at one of the most influential obstetric studies of the last decade: the ARRIVE trial.The trial is often used in conversations about elective induction at 39 weeks, especially for low-risk first-time mothers. But what did it actually show? Did induction improve outcomes for babies? Did it really reduce C-section rates? And what happens when the findings of a carefully controlled clinical trial are applied to busy real-world maternity units?Afif and Anne break down the design of the trial, including who was included, how the induction and expectant management groups were managed, and why the distinction between internal validity and external validity matters. They discuss the key findings, including the lack of significant difference in neonatal outcomes, the reported reduction in C-section rates, and the importance of patience, staffing, careful selection, and clinical context when translating research into practice.This is not an anti-induction episode. It is an episode about nuance. Induction at 39 weeks may be a reasonable option for some women, but the ARRIVE trial does not mean that every low-risk pregnancy should automatically end at 39 weeks. As always, the real question is not just “what did the study show?” but “does this apply to this person, in this hospital, with these resources, and these priorities?”Link to Trial: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1800566
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  134: Baby Gadgets, Gimmicks and Red Flags 15.06.2026 52min

  This week on Baby Tribe, Afif and Anne take a closer look at the baby products being marketed to exhausted parents, from sleep pods, reflux pillows and weighted sleep suits to formula prep machines, nasal aspirators, rectal wind devices, baby monitors, walkers and bouncers. The episode is not about shaming parents for buying products that promise help. It is about asking better questions before clicking “add to cart”. Does the product support safety, or does it introduce risk? Is it solving a real problem, or selling reassurance to tired parents? And does it follow the basic principles of safe sleep, safe feeding, safe movement and sensible monitoring? With practical advice, plenty of honesty, and a healthy suspicion of pastel-coloured nonsense, this episode gives parents a simple framework for deciding what is useful, what is unnecessary, and what should probably stay out of the cot, the bottle, the buggy, or the baby’s holes. https://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/first-aid/choking-in-babies/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  133: The Freebirth Movement: Choice, Risk and Accountability 08.06.2026 51min

  In this episode of The Baby Tribe, Afif speaks with Irish Times journalist Ellen Coyne about her reporting on the rise of freebirth in Ireland: giving birth without a midwife, doctor or trained medical professional present. Ellen discusses what led her to investigate the movement, the concerns raised by senior midwives, the lack of clear data around unassisted births, and how online communities can frame freebirth as empowering while failing to fully engage with the risks. After the interview, Afif and Anne debrief the issue from neonatal and obstetric perspectives. They explore why some women may feel drawn away from maternity services, including previous trauma, poor communication, lack of continuity of care and fear of intervention. They also examine the role of social media, doulas, birthkeepers and unregulated advice in shaping decisions during one of the most vulnerable times in a woman’s life. This is not a conversation about shaming women. It is about safety, autonomy, trust and accountability. Birth trauma is real. Consent matters. But real empowerment is not being left alone with risk. It is having accurate information, respectful care and skilled support available when things change. Birth is not a purity test. There is no gold medal for suffering. https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/06/06/free-births-in-ireland-concern-grows-for-women-choosing-births-without-medical-help/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  132: Bad Science in a Pretty Font - Caesareans, Risk and Birth Misinformation 01.06.2026 34min

  In this episode of The Baby Tribe, Afif and Anne take on one of the most emotionally charged topics in maternity care: caesarean birth. Online birth content often presents two true statements side by side: caesareans carry more risk than vaginal birth, and caesarean rates are rising. The implied conclusion is often that unnecessary caesareans are harming women. But is that a fair interpretation of the evidence? Afif and Anne unpack why context matters, especially the concept of confounding by indication: the idea that the reason someone receives an intervention is often linked to the outcome being measured. Using a NICU analogy, they explain why comparing caesarean outcomes with uncomplicated vaginal births can be deeply misleading. They also discuss planned versus emergency caesareans, absolute versus relative risk, the risks of doing nothing, and why both hospital maternity care and private birth care can carry their own biases. The episode includes a breakdown of a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis comparing planned caesarean delivery with planned vaginal delivery in randomized trials. This is not an episode about promoting caesareans or dismissing vaginal birth. It is about evidence, nuance, and helping women recognise the difference between informed consent and fear-based messaging. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  131: Alcohol, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: No Shame, No Myths, Just Biology 25.05.2026 36min

  Alcohol, pregnancy and breastfeeding are surrounded by myths, slogans and a fair amount of internet nonsense. In this episode, Afif and Anne look at what alcohol actually does before conception, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. They discuss paternal alcohol exposure, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, the “sober enough to feed” slogan, pumping and dumping, beer and milk supply, and the misleading comparison between breastmilk and orange juice. No shame, no panic, just biology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  130: Vitamin K at Birth: The Tiny Injection Social Media Got Wrong 18.05.2026 31min

  In this episode, Afif and Anne take a deep dive into vitamin K at birth and the growing wave of misinformation surrounding it online. They explore why newborn babies are naturally low in vitamin K, how clotting works, and what vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) actually is. The discussion covers the differences between intramuscular and oral vitamin K, why the injection remains the most reliable protection, and the devastating consequences VKDB can have, including brain bleeding and death. Along the way, they unpack some of the most common myths circulating on social media, from claims about “toxins” and cancer to misconceptions around breastfeeding and “natural” birth. As always, the episode combines evidence-based medicine with honesty, humour, and practical conversations about how healthcare professionals and parents can navigate fear, risk, and misinformation together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  129: When Baby Sleep Advice Becomes Dangerous 12.05.2026 35min

  In this episode of The Baby Tribe, Afif speaks to BBC journalist Divya Talwar about her investigation into unsafe advice given by some self-described baby sleep experts. Divya explains why the BBC pursued the story, what parents told her, and how exhaustion, social media credibility and gaps in postnatal support can leave families vulnerable to advice that may conflict with safer sleep guidance. After the interview, Afif and Anne debrief the key issues: normal infant sleep, back-to-sleep guidance, clear cot spaces, front sleeping, loose bedding, breathing monitors, reflux and allergy claims, and how parents can judge whether someone offering sleep advice is properly qualified and working within safe boundaries. This episode is not about blaming tired parents. It is about helping families find support that is safe, evidence-based and honest about its limits. BBC Documentary: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce84e1vn1l2o Safe co-sleeping: https://profafif.substack.com/p/co-sleeping-all-you-need-to-know?r=4l3k10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  128: Leaking Isn’t Normal: Pelvic Floor Health, Surgery & the Mesh Debate 04.05.2026 32min

  Pelvic floor problems affect a huge number of women, yet many suffer in silence, unsure what’s normal and what isn’t. In this episode, we’re joined by Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and urogynaecology specialist Breffini Anglim O'Regan to break down everything you need to know about pelvic floor health, from prolapse and urinary incontinence to the real impact of pregnancy, childbirth, and ageing. We explore the full range of treatment options, from physiotherapy and pessaries to surgical interventions, including a clear and balanced look at the mesh surgery controversy, what it is, why it was widely used, what went wrong for some women, and why it is still being used in other countries but not in Ireland. We also unpack why leakage is not something women should just “put up with,” the role of vaginal estrogen and why it is often misunderstood, how to know when to seek help, and what questions to ask before considering surgery, with the aim of giving women clear, evidence-based information so they can make informed decisions about their own bodies without fear, stigma, or misinformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  127: When Birth Doesn’t Go to Plan: Understanding Postpartum Care 27.04.2026 34min

  In this episode of The Baby Tribe, Afif and Anne tackle an important but often overlooked topic: what happens when things don’t go to plan after a baby is born. While most women recover well after delivery, a small number require closer monitoring or escalation of care. Anne, a consultant obstetric anaesthesiologist, explains how maternity teams identify early warning signs, what triggers a move from the postnatal ward to high dependency or intensive care, and what that experience looks like in practice. They break down the differences between ward care, HDU, and ICU, the most common reasons mothers need escalation such as haemorrhage, infection, and preeclampsia, and why early recognition is so important for good outcomes. The episode also explores the emotional impact of unexpected complications, how hospitals support mothers and babies during these situations, and what symptoms should never be ignored after going home. This is an honest, reassuring, and informative conversation designed to give parents a clearer understanding of how maternity care works when it matters most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  126: I Thought I’d Be a Mother… Then Life Took a Different Turn 20.04.2026 30min

  We all grow up with a version of how life is supposed to go. Meet someone, settle down, have kids. But what happens when that version doesn’t unfold the way you expected? In this episode, comedian Aideen McQueen joins us for a funny, honest, and deeply personal conversation about identity, addiction, recovery, and coming to terms with not having children. From always imagining herself as a mother to confronting that reality in her 40s, Aideen shares the emotional complexity of grief, acceptance, and finding purpose in unexpected places. This isn’t a story about giving up. It’s a story about redefining what a meaningful life looks like and discovering that care, connection, and fulfilment can exist in many different forms. FInd Aideen and info on all her shows at: https://www.instagram.com/comedymcqueen/ Sponsored by Happytummy.ie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  125: Clare McKenna on Finding Your Version of Wellness (Without the Pressure) 13.04.2026 54min

  Parenting is hard enough… so when did “wellness” become another thing to get right? In this episode, we’re joined by Clare McKenna, host of Alive & Kicking and author of Would You Be Well?, to unpack the modern obsession with wellness and why, for many parents, it’s doing more harm than good. We explore Clare’s journey from chasing diets, routines, and “perfect health” to realising that wellness had quietly become another source of pressure. Together, we talk about how social media, unrealistic expectations, and guilt-driven habits are shaping how we think about health… and why so many parents feel like they’re getting it wrong. Afif shares his own experience of going all-in on fitness and achieving the goal… only to feel worse. Anne reflects on how motherhood reshapes identity, routine, and self-care in ways nobody prepares you for. This episode is about stripping things back. Not perfection. Not optimisation. Just figuring out what actually works in real life. If your version of wellness is making you feel worse… it might be time to rethink it. Proudly sponsored by www.happytummy.ie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  124: Understanding Baby Sleep: Biology vs Sleep Training 06.04.2026 33min

  “Sleeping like a baby” is one of the biggest myths in parenting. In this episode, we strip back the noise around infant sleep and look at what the science actually tells us. From circadian rhythm development to night waking, we explain why babies don’t sleep the way we expect them to, and why that doesn’t mean anything is wrong. We explore the full spectrum of sleep training methods, from cry-it-out to so-called “gentle” approaches, and break down what they are really doing: not changing biology, but changing behaviour. We also examine the evidence behind sleep training, what improves (parent perception, sometimes sleep onset), what doesn’t (night waking), and why the conversation around “self-soothing” is often misunderstood. Finally, we talk about the modern sleep industry, the rise of rebranding, and how vulnerable parents are being sold solutions to a problem that may not exist in the first place. No guilt. No ideology. Just clarity. Proudly Sponsored by www.happytummy.ie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  123: Hilary McGann (News by Hil): From Global News to Motherhood 30.03.2026 51min

  Becoming a parent changes how you see everything. In this episode, we’re joined by Hilary McGann (News by Hil), journalist and creator, to talk about what happens when someone whose job is to understand the world becomes a mother in it. Hilary shares her deeply personal journey through a complicated and anxiety-filled pregnancy, including emergency surgery, ovarian torsion, and the constant fear of losing her baby. What follows is a powerful reflection on resilience, perspective, and what it really means to become a parent. We also explore how parenthood reshapes our relationship with the world around us: Does the news hit differently after having a child? How do you stay informed without becoming overwhelmed? And how should we talk to our children about a world that often feels chaotic? This is an honest, thoughtful conversation about motherhood, information overload, and finding balance in a noisy world. Proudly Sponsored by @happytummy.ie and @biogaiaireland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  122: Fear Less with Dr David Coleman: Are We Raising Anxious Kids? 24.03.2026 46min

  A practical and honest conversation with clinical psychologist Dr David Coleman, author of Fear Less, on childhood anxiety. We explore why anxiety feels so common in children today, the difference between normal fear and something more serious, and how parents can support their child without overprotecting them. From the science behind anxiety to simple tools that actually work, this episode focuses on one key idea: your child doesn’t need to be fearless, they just need to know how to handle fear. Proudly sponsored by www.happytummy.ie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  121: Pregnant With Cancer: Emma’s Story of NICU, Chemotherapy, and Change 17.03.2026 55min

  When Emma McGuinness was pregnant with her second child, she discovered a swelling in her neck that turned out to be Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her son was delivered at 36 weeks and spent his first 14 days in neonatal intensive care. Just weeks later, Emma began six months of chemotherapy while caring for a newborn. In this powerful episode, Emma shares the reality of navigating cancer during pregnancy, the emotional experience of having a baby in NICU, and how her own experience exposed a gap in Irish maternity leave legislation. That gap ultimately led to a national campaign and a change in the law. This episode is recorded in collaboration with Daffodil Day in support of the Irish Cancer Society. To donate check out www.cancer.ie You can find Emma's page here: https://www.instagram.com/a_little_link/ Proudly sponsored by: www.happytummy.ie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  120: NICU Explained: The Real Reasons Newborns Need Extra Care 10.03.2026 50min

  When parents hear the word NICU, it can feel frightening. But the reality is that many babies who spend time there are simply adjusting to life outside the womb. In this episode, Afif and Anne break down the most common reasons newborns are admitted to the neonatal unit, including breathing difficulties, low blood sugar, infection checks, temperature regulation, and feeding challenges. Afif explains the physiology behind these issues and why most NICU stays are short and part of a baby’s normal transition after birth. If you’re expecting a baby or have ever wondered what really happens in NICU, this episode offers clarity and reassurance. Proudly sponsored by www.happytummy.ie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  119: Epidurals and the Myth of the Intervention Cascade with Professor Rachel Kearns 03.03.2026 43min

  Epidurals are often blamed for triggering a cascade of interventions, harming babies, and interfering with breastfeeding. But what does the actual evidence say? This week we’re joined by Professor Rachel Kearns, consultant anaesthetist and population health researcher, to unpack the data. From maternal morbidity and fever to neonatal outcomes and long term child development, we examine what large scale studies really show and where the myths fall apart. If you’re making decisions about pain relief in labour, this is the evidence based conversation you need. Proudly sponsored by www.happytummy.ie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices