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PODCAST · kids

First Time Mum's Chat

by Helen Thompson

Commencing your parenting journey is a big life changer and in this podcast I share tips and strategies to help and inspire you so you can build confidence in your parenting and forge a magic bond with your little one. Getting started as a mum is often a lonely, daunting journey and many feel alone and unsupported and lack a support network or village. For more than two decades, Helen Thompson has made it her mission to fill this gap and support mums as a childcare educator and more recently as a baby massage instructor. In every single value-packed episode, Helen will be your guide, sharing ways to help you in areas including postpartum, breastfeeding/lactation, self-help and healing your body and mind after giving birth so that you can learn ways to relax and gently ease into your parenting journey. It’s a mix of interviews and solo shows from Helen you’re not going to want to miss. Hit subscribe, and get ready to change your life.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Oct 9, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. What Two Little Girls Taught Me About Slowing Down and Noticing

    #204 - Sometimes the smallest moments reveal things we might otherwise miss. A simple walk in the garden with the twins became an unexpected opportunity to notice their growing independence, their very different personalities, and the quiet ways young children experience the world around them.…

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  2. 5 Unexpected Truths About Toddler Emotions Every Mum Should Know

    #203 - Has your toddler started getting upset more quickly than before, leaving you wondering where these big emotions are coming from? In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, Helen Thompson explores what's often happening beneath those sudden tears, frustrations, and emotional reactions that…

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  3. When Your Crying Baby Feels Overwhelming: 5 Powerful Reminders

    #202 - When your baby cries and nothing seems to work… it can feel overwhelming. Have you ever stood there while your baby cries and suddenly felt completely overwhelmed — unsure what to do next? In this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, Helen Thompson explores why those moments can feel so…

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  4. 6 Phrases Parents Say Daily — Could They Damage Your Child’s Confidence?

    #201 - You’ve probably said “calm down,” “you’re fine,” or “use your words” today — almost every parent has. But what if these common phrases are actually making it harder for your child to feel safe, understood, and emotionally secure? In this episode, Helen shares simple language shifts…

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  5. Episode 200: The Quiet Truth About Calm, Babies & New Mums

    #200 - What if calm isn’t something you need to create — but something that grows when you slow down and truly notice? In this milestone 200th episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, Helen Thompson reflects on five years of podcasting, decades of childcare experience, and what she’s learned about…

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  6. 6 Hidden Dangers in Your Baby Walker: Is Your Baby Truly Ready for It?

    #199 - Baby walkers, jumpers, and exersaucers are some of the most popular baby devices on the market — but are they really helping your little one learn to stand and walk, or could they be holding them back? In this episode, Helen Thompson breaks down the surprising truths many parents never…

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  7. 5 Proven Soothing Techniques for Infants — Could These Be the Secret to Calmer, Happier Nights?

    #198 - If bedtime has started to feel stressful, tense, or full of tears (for you and your baby), you’re definitely not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 gentle soothing techniques that can help your baby feel safe, settle more easily, and relax into calmer, happier nights. You’ll learn: How…

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  8. Find Your Perfect Baby Stroller – 7 Smart Questions to Ask Before You Buy

    If you’ve ever stood in a baby store aisle thinking, “Which stroller is actually right for me?” — you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing 7 smart questions that every first-time mum should ask before buying a baby stroller, so you can avoid the overwhelm and choose one that truly fits your...

  9. 5 Baby Essentials You’ll Love (And 4 That Just Collect Dust)

    If you’ve ever stared at a baby shopping list wondering, “Do I really need all this?” — you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 baby essentials I truly love and recommend for those first few months, plus the 4 popular items that usually just collect dust. You’ll learn: How to…

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  10. 3 Gentle Baby Sling & Babywearing Hacks for Stress-Free Days with Baby

    Discover three simple but powerful techniques that can transform your day-to-day with a newborn. In this episode, I talk with Hannah Eccles of Oscha Slings about how smart sling choices, safety tweaks, and wearing practices can calm fussiness, enhance bonding, and give you more freedom (yes, your...

  11. 5 Costly White Noise Infant Mistakes — Which One Wrecks Sleep?

    Are your white noise infant habits helping — or secretly wrecking sleep? I break down 5 costly mistakes with white noise sleep sounds and sound machines—and the quick fixes that make nights calmer, safer, and easier. Which one are you making? You’ll learn: The safe volume & distance rule that...

  12. 7 Shocking Downsides of Newborn Dummies — And Simple Soothing Fixes That Work

    Should you use a dummy for your newborn — or is there a gentler way to soothe them? In this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, I’m exploring 7 shocking downsides of newborn dummies and sharing simple, calming alternatives that really work. You’ll learn: Why over-reliance on dummies can delay...

  13. 5 Powerful Steps for Bonding Newborn and Toddler (Without Tears!)

    Ever wondered how to nurture sibling love without the sibling rivalry—or the tears? In this heartwarming episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, we share 5 powerful, practical steps you can take today to foster bonding newborn and toddler… and yes, you’ll do it without tears! We dive into: Creating a...

  14. Feeling Guilty About Infant Feeding? Bust These 5 Myths and Breathe Easier

    Feeling unsure about your feeding choices? You’re not alone. In this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, I share 5 pieces of infant feeding advice to help you let go of guilt and feel more confident — whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, combo feeding, or still figuring it out. We’ll bust...

  15. 5 Breastfeeding Facts No One Told You (That You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner)

    #190 - Discover the real, sometimes brutal truths behind the breastfeeding journey: Why pain, guilt & exhaustion don’t mean you’re “doing it wrong” What cluster feeding does to your mind and body The hidden emotional toll few talk about Secret hacks that saved mum’s sanity 🍼 If you’ve ever...

  16. Feeling Guilty About Feeding? 5 Infant Feeding Difficulties That Are Totally Normal

    #189 - Feeling judged for how you're feeding your baby — or second-guessing every decision? You’re not alone. In this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, I explore 5 common infant feeding difficulties that far too many mums face in silence — from painful breastfeeding and bottle-feeding guilt, to...

  17. Is Your Toddler Out of Control? Try These 5 Genius Reset Routines

    #188 - Is your toddler out of control — throwing meltdowns, resisting transitions, or bouncing off the walls with no off switch? You're not alone, and there is a way through it that doesn’t involve yelling, bribing, or giving up. In this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, I’m sharing 5 genius…

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  18. 7 Secrets That Turn Baby’s First Steps From Wobbles Into Confidence

    #187 - Is your baby taking their first wobbly steps—or still hesitating to let go of your hand? In this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, we explore what really helps babies move from unsure to unstoppable… without rushing them. You’ll discover: 7 gentle strategies to encourage walking confidence...

  19. 5 Fun Ways to Support Infant Developmental Milestones for 9 Months & Beyond With Music

    #186 - Is your baby starting to pull up, cruise along furniture, or bounce to music? In this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, I explore how rhythm, song, and simple play can help your baby build balance and confidence—without rushing those big milestones. I share one of my favorite nannying...

  20. 3 Easy Ways to Support Infant Rolling — Are You Missing These Big Wins?

    #185 - Is your baby showing signs of rolling over? Discover three simple, expert-backed techniques to support and encourage this vital developmental milestone. From rhythmic play to gentle massage, learn how to make your baby's journey to rolling both fun and effective. Tune in now to empower…

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  21. Tummy Time Without Tears: 5 Powerful Ways to Build Confident Little Movers!

    #184 - Struggling with tummy time? You're not alone. In this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, certified baby massage instructor and childcare educator Helen Thompson introduces the new series, "Move, Play, Grow," and shares 5 powerful ways to transform tummy time from a daily battle into a…

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  22. Is Your Infant Talking? 4 Cues That Build Early Connection

    #183 - In this eye-opening episode of First Time Mum's Chat, I'm joined by parenting expert and podcast host Ann McKitrick to uncover the fascinating world of infant communication - from subtle cries and facial expressions to scent, gaze, and touch. With 30+ years of experience in early childhood...

  23. 3 Signs an Infant Tantrum Isn’t Bad Behavior But a Cry for Help

    #182 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, host Helen Thompson welcomes Joss Goulden, a Level 2 Aware Parenting Instructor with over 30 years of experience supporting families. They delve into understanding children's behaviors, emphasizing that actions like tantrums are often a child's way...

  24. 3 Newborn Cues Most Parents Miss – Spot the Signs Before the Tears Start!

    #181 - Ever wished your baby came with an instruction manual? While they might not have words yet, babies are amazing little communicators! In this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, I’ll help you decode your baby’s non-verbal cues so you can better understand their needs—before the crying starts....

  25. The #1 Mistake Parents Make When Responding to Newborn Crying Sounds – Do You?

    #180 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, host Helen Thompson delves into the nuances of infant communication, focusing on how to interpret your baby's various cries. With her extensive background as a childcare educator and baby massage instructor, Helen offers practical insights to help...

  26. Toddler Bedtime Battles? Steal These 4 Must-Try Sleep Strategies Tonight!

    #179 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, host Helen Thompson delves into the challenges of toddler bedtime routines. Building upon insights from the previous episode on newborn sleep, Helen offers practical strategies to help your toddler recognize their own sleep cues and establish a...

  27. 5 Baby Sleep Secrets Every Exhausted Mum Needs to Know – #3 is a Game Changer!

    #178 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, host Helen Thompson delves into the challenges of newborn sleep. Drawing from her extensive experience as a childcare educator and baby massage instructor, Helen shares five essential strategies to help your baby—and you—get more restful nights....

  28. Can Babies Read Your Mind? The Truth About Communicating With Infants

    In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, host Helen Thompson sits down with Lauren Dionysius, a former NICU nurse turned baby soul communicator, to explore the profound ways babies connect beyond traditional cues. Discover how understanding your baby's energy and telepathic abilities can deepen...

  29. 4 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Introducing Dog to Newborn

    #176 - Welcoming a new baby into your family is an exciting journey, but what happens when you have a furry family member to consider too? In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, Helen Thompson chats with Aileen Cronin, a seasoned Canine Behavior Consultant and founder of Baby Pack Leader.…

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  30. Key Early Signs of ADHD & Autism Every Concerned Mum Should Understand

    #175 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, I'm chatting with Leanne Tran, a seasoned pediatric occupational therapist, to explore the early signs of ADHD and autism in infants. We discuss how to distinguish between typical developmental behaviors and potential red flags, offering practical,...

  31. Feeling Mom Burnout? Discover How to Set Boundaries That Work

    #174 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, licensed mental health therapist Allison Ly shares her personal experiences as a second-generation immigrant and offers practical advice on setting boundaries as a new mum. Discover how to navigate cultural expectations, manage family dynamics, and...

  32. Baby Won't Stop Crying? 4 Must-Try Baby Massage Techniques for Colic Relief!

    #173 - Is your newborn's relentless crying leaving you feeling helpless? In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, Helen Thompson, a seasoned childcare educator and baby massage instructor, delves into effective baby massage techniques designed to alleviate colic and soothe your little one....

  33. Helping Toddlers Respect Their Bodies: Moving Past Shame-Based Parenting

    #172 - In this episode, Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers joins First Time Mum's Chat to discuss sensitive but crucial conversations for moms with curious toddlers. Learn how to approach questions like “How are babies made?” and teach body autonomy without fear. Dr. Tina shares insights from her work on...

  34. Breast Milk Leaking? Discover This Mum’s Innovative Eco-Friendly Solution!

    #171 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, host Helen Thompson interviews Garrett Wood Kusmierz, founder of Kozēkozē. Garrett shares how her personal challenges with postpartum breast milk leakage led her to create a sustainable, absorbent bra that provides comfort and ease for…

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  35. Struggling With a Fussy Baby? Tune In to This Baby Massage Q&A for Expert Tips and Soothing Techniques

    #170 - Struggling to calm your baby or figure out their cues? You’re not alone! In this special Q&A episode, I’ll reveal the secrets behind baby massage — a powerful way to soothe fussy babies, improve sleep, and boost bonding. You’ll get answers to common questions like are there any specific...

  36. September Q&A: Postpartum Anxiety and Depression – The Dark Secret No One Warned You About

    #169 - In this special Q&A episode of First Time Mum's Chat, Helen Thompson dives into your most pressing questions about postpartum depression and anxiety. Drawing on wisdom from previous episodes, Helen shares powerful excerpts from past interviews with experts and real mums who have…

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  37. Tips and Strategies to Stop Being An Overwhelmed Mom

    #168 - I think it's fair to say that many of us spend too much time comparing ourselves to others, often coming up short! A lot of first time mums that I speak with face this issue and it's easy to go in a downward spiral isn't it, particularly when you're getting started in your parenting…

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  38. How to Deal With Anxiety By Increasing Awareness & Understanding its Causes and Triggers

    #167 - In this episode, I'm talking with Sukie Baxter, an equestrian, entrepreneur, and healer who is deeply passionate about how we humans craft a vibrant and meaningful existence in our complex, imperfect world. We talk about anxiety and I'm sure that you'll find her take on this topic very...

  39. Tips to Help Prevent Flathead in Infants or a Misshapen Head

    #166 - In this episode, I'm bringing you the second of of two episodes with the amazing Austin Rees. Austin has been supporting families for more than 20 years and has a wide repertoire as a craniosacral Therapy Practitioner, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, a Licensed…

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  40. The Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy and Bodywork for Infants

    #165 - In this episode. I'm chatting with author of the Bodywork Book Series, Susan Vaughan Kratz. Susan has 40 years of Occupational Therapy Experience and participates in clinical research of current innovative ways to assist her clients and families to overcome their difficulties. Her books...

  41. Reflections of a First Time Mom: Lessons Learned

    #164 - In this episode, I'm chatting with Jess. Jess was so frustrated with a lot of the advice she received after becoming a first time mum that she decided to launch her own podcast to help support other mums! During our chat you'll hear Jess talk about her experiences during her early stages…

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  42. How Bodywork Can Help With Tummy Time Challenges and Infant Tummy Troubles

    #163 - In this episode, I'm bringing you the first of two episodes with the amazing Austin Rees. Austin has been supporting families for more than 20 years and has a wide repertoire as a craniosacral Therapy Practitioner, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, a Licensed Massage...

  43. Postpartum Doulas - Helping You Get Started on Your Parenting Journey Whilst Easing the Strain

    #162 - In this episode, I'm bringing you an amazing woman, Suzzie Vehrs, who is a doula and childbirth educator. Suzzie is passionate about helping moms have a safe and healthy birth and she also helps mums after they return home, supporting them as they start to navigate their way through the...

  44. Q&A Episode - First Time Mum's Chat Podcast

    #161 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat I'm doing something a little different, a question and answer (Q&A) session. I'm regularly asked questions by mums who are getting started in their parenting journey and I've assembled a number of questions that I'm often asked and posed them to a...

  45. Tips to Support Your Baby's Sleep Without Sleep Training

    #160 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, I'm re-visiting the area of baby/toddler sleep and I'm thrilled to be chatting with mum of 3, Occupational Therapist, certified Family and Infant Sleep Specialist and podcast host, Heather Boyd. Heather's baptism of fire with sleep challenges came...

  46. Tips to Help You Get Started with Baby-Led Weaning

    #159 - Just try to imagine for a moment commencing your parenting journey with 7 children aged less than 3 years of age to feed and look after! This is exactly what life delivered to this week's guest, Katie Ferraro! Katie had been struggling with feeding her first child only to discover that she...

  47. How to Prevent Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Postpartum

    #158 - In this episode I'm chatting with birth healing specialist and pelvic health physical therapist, Lynn Schulte. Lynn is on a mission to improve postpartum care worldwide and her passion is in helping moms have smoother births and faster recoveries. With more than 30 years experience, you'll...

  48. The Mental Challenges of Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

    #157 - In this episode of First Time Mum's Chat, I'm chatting with Dr. Emily Guarnotta. Dr. Emily is a licensed clinical psychologist specialising in maternal mental health and will shortly be launching an online practice aiming to reduce the barriers that mums often face when looking for support...

  49. Using a Conscious Parenting Approach When Raising Your Kids

    #156 - In this episode, I'm bringing you an amazing woman, ThetaHealer and mother of one, Emily Miotto. Emily helps moms work on themselves to release any limiting beliefs around motherhood and to connect with their inner selves to trust their intuition and heal both themselves and their little...

  50. Why Building a Strong Support Network is so Vital to New Moms

    #155 - In this episode, I'm chatting with Tessia Watson, the author of the international bestselling book, Rejuvenated Mums Make Happy Kids who shares her journey into parenthood. Tessia is a big advocate for mums to create their support system to ensure they are well supported and to appreciate...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Commencing your parenting journey is a big life changer and in this podcast I share tips and strategies to help and inspire you so you can build confidence in your parenting and forge a magic bond with your little one. Getting started as a mum is often a lonely, daunting journey and many feel alone and unsupported and lack a support network or village. For more than two decades, Helen Thompson has made it her mission to fill this gap and support mums as a childcare educator and more recently as a baby massage instructor. In every single value-packed episode, Helen will be your guide, sharing ways to help you in areas including postpartum, breastfeeding/lactation, self-help and healing your body and mind after giving birth so that you can learn ways to relax and gently ease into your parenting journey. It’s a mix of interviews and solo shows from Helen you’re not going to want to miss. Hit subscribe, and get ready to change your life.

HOSTED BY

Helen Thompson

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does First Time Mum's Chat have?

First Time Mum's Chat currently has 204 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is First Time Mum's Chat about?

Commencing your parenting journey is a big life changer and in this podcast I share tips and strategies to help and inspire you so you can build confidence in your parenting and forge a magic bond with your little one. Getting started as a mum is often a lonely, daunting journey and many feel alone...

How often does First Time Mum's Chat release new episodes?

First Time Mum's Chat publishes regularly with 204 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to First Time Mum's Chat?

You can listen to First Time Mum's Chat on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts First Time Mum's Chat?

First Time Mum's Chat is created and hosted by Helen Thompson.
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