PODCAST · kids
The Baby Tribe
by Afif EL-Khuffash & Anne Doherty
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 and together bring over 40 years of combined experience in newborn and maternal health. We share our knowledge and insights on everything from breastfeeding and formula feeding, to introducing solid foods, maternal recovery, and dealing with common health concerns for both mother and baby. We’ll have regular guests to share their expertise and ex
Episodes
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Should We Ban Children from Social Media?
Would banning teenagers from social media make them safer? And what might we miss if we judge their online lives by screen time alone? This week on The Family Tribe, Afif and Anne explore teenagers, technology and the daily negotiations happening in family homes, including their own. Maggie...
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Should We Worry About Microplastics in Baby Bottles?
Headlines about babies swallowing millions of plastic particles can make an ordinary bottle feed feel like a parenting mistake. So what does the research actually tell us? In this episode of Baby Tribe Shorts, Afif and Anne explore microplastics in baby bottles, silicone teats and milk storage...
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Can GLP-1 Drugs Do More Than Help You Lose Weight?
Weight-loss drugs are everywhere in the headlines. But what might they mean for our health beyond the number on the scales? This week, Professor Afif EL-Khuffash and Dr Anne Doherty explore GLP-1 medicines and the research into their effects on the heart, kidneys, liver and painful knees. They...
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Baby Bonus: Are Birth Interventions Rising for the Right Reasons?
In this Baby Tribe Short, Afif and Anne look at a recent New South Wales paper asking why birth interventions are rising. The study found that so-called cascade interventions, including induction or augmentation, epidural or spinal analgesia, and instrumental birth or intrapartum caesarean…
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The Baby Grew Up: What Makes a Family in 2026?
Baby Tribe has grown up. In the first episode of The Family Tribe, Afif and Anne explain why they are widening the conversation from babies to the whole messy, funny and complicated world of family life. They reflect on 18 years of parenting, raising teenagers, marriage, multicultural family…
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Welcome To The Family Tribe
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…
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BTS: Is Private Maternity Care Really Safer?
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…
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BTS: Paracetamol, Pregnancy and Autism: What Parents Need to Know
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,...
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BTS: Should Everyone Be Induced at 39 Weeks?
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...
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134: Baby Gadgets, Gimmicks and Red Flags
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…
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133: The Freebirth Movement: Choice, Risk and Accountability
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...
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133: The Freebirth Movement: Choice, Risk and Accountability
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...
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132: Bad Science in a Pretty Font - Caesareans, Risk and Birth Misinformation
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...
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132: Bad Science in a Pretty Font - Caesareans, Risk and Birth Misinformation
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...
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131: Alcohol, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: No Shame, No Myths, Just Biology
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…
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131: Alcohol, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: No Shame, No Myths, Just Biology
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…
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130: Vitamin K at Birth: The Tiny Injection Social Media Got Wrong
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…
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130: Vitamin K at Birth: The Tiny Injection Social Media Got Wrong
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…
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129: When Baby Sleep Advice Becomes Dangerous
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...
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129: When Baby Sleep Advice Becomes Dangerous
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...
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128: Leaking Isn’t Normal: Pelvic Floor Health, Surgery & the Mesh Debate
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...
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128: Leaking Isn’t Normal: Pelvic Floor Health, Surgery & the Mesh Debate
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...
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127: When Birth Doesn’t Go to Plan: Understanding Postpartum Care
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…
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127: When Birth Doesn’t Go to Plan: Understanding Postpartum Care
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…
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126: I Thought I’d Be a Mother… Then Life Took a Different Turn
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,...
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126: I Thought I’d Be a Mother… Then Life Took a Different Turn
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,...
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125: Clare McKenna on Finding Your Version of Wellness (Without the Pressure)
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...
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125: Clare McKenna on Finding Your Version of Wellness (Without the Pressure)
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...
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124: Understanding Baby Sleep: Biology vs Sleep Training
“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…
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124: Understanding Baby Sleep: Biology vs Sleep Training
“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…
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123: Hilary McGann (News by Hil): From Global News to Motherhood
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...
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123: Hilary McGann (News by Hil): From Global News to Motherhood
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...
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122: Fear Less with Dr David Coleman: Are We Raising Anxious Kids?
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...
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122: Fear Less with Dr David Coleman: Are We Raising Anxious Kids?
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...
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121: Pregnant With Cancer: Emma’s Story of NICU, Chemotherapy, and Change
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…
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121: Pregnant With Cancer: Emma’s Story of NICU, Chemotherapy, and Change
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…
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120: NICU Explained: The Real Reasons Newborns Need Extra Care
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...
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120: NICU Explained: The Real Reasons Newborns Need Extra Care
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...
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119: Epidurals and the Myth of the Intervention Cascade with Professor Rachel Kearns
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...
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119: Epidurals and the Myth of the Intervention Cascade with Professor Rachel Kearns
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...
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118: Doireann Garrihy on Becoming Rosie’s Mum
This week on The Baby Tribe, we’re joined by broadcaster and podcaster Doireann Garrihy for an honest and deeply personal conversation about pregnancy, birth, and the early weeks of becoming a parent. Doireann shares her experience of induction on her due date, the moment plans changed in the...
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118: Doireann Garrihy on Becoming Rosie’s Mum
This week on The Baby Tribe, we’re joined by broadcaster and podcaster Doireann Garrihy for an honest and deeply personal conversation about pregnancy, birth, and the early weeks of becoming a parent. Doireann shares her experience of induction on her due date, the moment plans changed in the...
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117: Sophia Wren on Young Motherhood, Post Partum Depression, and Finding Comedy
Comedian and writer Sophia Wren joins The Baby Tribe to talk about becoming a mother in her early 20s, the shock of a precipitous labour, and what nobody tells you about the emotional aftermath. Sophia shares a painfully honest account of postpartum intrusive thoughts, fear, shame, and the moment...
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117: Sophia Wren on Young Motherhood, Post Partum Depression, and Finding Comedy
Comedian and writer Sophia Wren joins The Baby Tribe to talk about becoming a mother in her early 20s, the shock of a precipitous labour, and what nobody tells you about the emotional aftermath. Sophia shares a painfully honest account of postpartum intrusive thoughts, fear, shame, and the moment...
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116: Pregnancy and Postpartum Skincare with Sara Stokes founder of SKN to SKN
Pregnancy and postpartum can absolutely chaos your skin. This week we’re joined by Sara Stokes, founder of SKN to SKN, to break down hormonal skin changes, what ingredients to be cautious with in pregnancy (without the panic), and a simple 3-step routine that’s realistic when you’ve got about…
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116: Pregnancy and Postpartum Skincare with Sara Stokes founder of SKN to SKN
Pregnancy and postpartum can absolutely chaos your skin. This week we’re joined by Sara Stokes, founder of SKN to SKN, to break down hormonal skin changes, what ingredients to be cautious with in pregnancy (without the panic), and a simple 3-step routine that’s realistic when you’ve got about…
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115: Is Formula Harmful? Recalls, Switching Brands, and What the Evidence Actually Says
In this episode, Afif and Anne unpack the recent formula recalls in Ireland and internationally, explaining what happened, what parents should do, and why recalls usually mean safety systems are working. They discuss switching formula brands, what changes are normal, when not to switch…
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115: Is Formula Harmful? Recalls, Switching Brands, and What the Evidence Actually Says
In this episode, Afif and Anne unpack the recent formula recalls in Ireland and internationally, explaining what happened, what parents should do, and why recalls usually mean safety systems are working. They discuss switching formula brands, what changes are normal, when not to switch…
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114: Home Birth: Choice, Safety, and What Informed Consent Needs
This week on The Baby Tribe, Afif and Anne return after the Christmas “break” (parenting, but with more chocolate) and ease back in with a totally non-controversial topic: home birth and free birth. We start by clearly separating free birth (no medical care, no trained attendant, outside…
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114: Home Birth: Choice, Safety, and What Informed Consent Needs
This week on The Baby Tribe, Afif and Anne return after the Christmas “break” (parenting, but with more chocolate) and ease back in with a totally non-controversial topic: home birth and free birth. We start by clearly separating free birth (no medical care, no trained attendant, outside…
more
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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 and together bring over 40 years of combined experience in newborn and maternal health.
We share our knowledge and insights on everything from breastfeeding and formula feeding, to introducing solid foods, maternal recovery, and dealing with common health concerns for both mother and baby. We’ll have regular guests to share their expertise and ex
HOSTED BY
Afif EL-Khuffash & Anne Doherty
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Baby Tribe have?
The Baby Tribe currently has 143 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Baby Tribe 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...
How often does The Baby Tribe release new episodes?
The Baby Tribe publishes regularly with 143 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Baby Tribe?
You can listen to The Baby Tribe 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 The Baby Tribe?
The Baby Tribe is created and hosted by Afif EL-Khuffash & Anne Doherty.
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