Feed Play Love
1,887 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsFrom nurturing newborns to taming toddlers, we unravel the art and science of parenting with real-life stories and expert advice. The hilarious to the humbling and all the nitty gritty in between.
Produced and presented by mum of two and journalist, Shevonne Hunt.
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Episodes
Can children really learn empathy through video games?
September 14, 2020 20:00 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBEmpathy is a human emotion that involves connecting with other humans. So can such an intrinsically human experience be taught through computer games? Researchers at the Department of Human Centred Computing at Monash University think it can be. Ling Wu is a Research Fellow at the Department. She explains why she thinks this is a valid way to teach young children empathy, and how it might help other children with their social cues.For more on the research check out the Monash University websi...
Is swearing in front of kids a big deal?
September 13, 2020 20:00 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBWhere do you stand when it comes to swearing? Are there some words you say in front of your kids and others you swallow? How do you feel if let a swear word slip? Dr Matt Beard is a fellow at the Ethics Centre and a dad of two young children. Matt has some very interesting ideas on whether swearing in front of your kids is a good or bad thing.they See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rising Heart: One woman's tale of kidnapping, asylum and salvation
September 10, 2020 20:00 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBAminata Conteh-Biger was born in Sierra Leone to a prosperous family. Then in 1999 when she was 18 years old her life changed forever. That was when the Revolutionary United Front invaded Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. Aminata talks about what happened after that, how she survived to build a new life in Australia and why the work she does now is the most important thing she has ever done. Her book is called Rising Heart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
R_Teaching children about body safety
September 09, 2020 20:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBWe all want our children to be safe, but how do we go about it? What is age-appropriate language and how do you explain body-safety without scaring your child? Lily Isobella is a sex educator and advocate for children.She has worked with parents around the country, and has some great tips on how we can start conversations with our kids that will help them be safer in the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Helpline: Sleep regression after arrival of new baby, bath refusal and more
September 08, 2020 20:00 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBWhen you have a baby it can feel like you haven't slept in an eternity. And while babies are born to feed, not sleep, there comes a time when a few expert pointers can lead you back to a restful night. That's where can give you what you need. Each week a qualified expert will join presenter Shevonne Hunt to answer your questions. Through email, FaceBook Live or from our direct mails on Facebook, our person will help your little persons sleep better, feed better and sometimes even behave bett...
Why music is the best gift to give your child
September 07, 2020 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBReading, writing, maths, language. All of these skills are improved with the addition of music. That's according to a new book by Dr Anita Collins called The Music AdvantageAnita has looked at the neuroscience behind learning and engaging with music, and there are some astounding findings about just how much music can influence the development of our brains. Anita goes back to the very beginning, and explains how even babies in utero are developing an ear for music. She also tells us all the ...
Bringing a baby home to a blended family
September 06, 2020 20:00 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBGiving birth for the first time can be overwhelming. There's a precious new life to care for, new skills to learn and sleep deprivation. But what happens when you're bringing a baby home to a blended family? How can you make step children feel like a part of the experience, and still have time to get settled into your new role? Lana Sussman is a counsellor at The Parents VillageLana talks about ways you can negotiate a potentially tricky time.. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
The life-changing experience of teaching in a remote school
September 03, 2020 20:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBPeter O'Brien was only twenty when he accepted a post in Weabonga, a town two-days travel from Armidale in NSW. He had eighteen students aged between five and fifteen years old. It was a school that had trouble retaining teachers, and Peter had signed on for two years. He wrote about the experience that had a huge impact on him and his approach to teaching in Bush SchoolPeter talks about what it was like living and teaching in a small, remote town in the 60s.. See omnystudio.com/listener fo...
Cooking for your pregnant partner
September 02, 2020 20:00 - 9 minutes - 8.35 MBIf you're not carrying a child, it can feel like you're not really involved in the pregnancy. Former Master Chef contestant Aaron Harvie discovered one of the best ways he could be involved was through food. He did his research and came up with some of the most delicious recipes to cook for his pregnant wife. The result is A House Husbands' Guide, Cooking for your pregnant partnerAaron talks about some of his favourite meals from the cook book.. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
Helpline: When toilet training goes awry, toddlers waking at night and more
September 01, 2020 20:00 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBWhen you have small children and things are tough it's hard to have enough perspective to set things back on course. That's where our experts come into their own. On today's episode Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue helps parents with the following challenges: A two-year-old unsettled after night waking, a sixteen-month-old waking through the night, toilet training a two-and-a-half-year-old after training has gone off track, how to stop a seven-and-a-half-month-old waking for a second time in t...
The true cost of separation
August 31, 2020 20:00 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBWhen it comes to break-ups, money might be the last thing on your mind. If you're a parent, chances are you're thinking about your children and how they are going to handle the family separation. But there are ways of being prepared and financial costs to consider. Dr Andrew Fuller is a psychologist who helped to analyse some research commissioned byAndrew talks about things to keep in mind when you're separating from your partner. Real Insurance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...
Why mums don't want to talk about breastfeeding problems
August 30, 2020 20:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBBreastfeeding doesn't come naturally to everyone. In fact, most women struggle at some point in their breastfeeding experience. And yet we don't talk a lot about how challenging feeding a baby can be. According to recent research by Philips Avent a third of Australian mums are too embarrassed to talk about their feeding issues. So why, in an age where we embrace the expression 'breast is best', are women struggling to talk about the reality of breastfeeding? Edwina Sharrock is a midwife and f...
Can little boys wear skirts too?
August 27, 2020 20:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBWhen Scott Stuart's little boy wanted to wear his Elsa costume to the movies, Scott made a decision. It was one that challenged his own upbringing and what he had been taught masculinity was all about. Supporting his son to make his own choices inspired Scott's book My Shadow is Pink. Scott talks about how people reacted to his son's love of skirts, both the good and the bad. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
R_The problem with homework
August 26, 2020 20:00 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBMany primary school teachers will tell you that homework is not mandatory. Yet children are still sent home with different amounts of work to do. So is homework something children should be doing? Justin Coulson is a parenting educator and father to six girls. He explains why homework is a problem for children. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Helpline: How to stop rocking a baby to sleep, night toilet training and more
August 25, 2020 20:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MBThe world might be battling a pandemic, but children don't know the difference. For our smallest humans the world keeps on turning, and each day can bring new challenges. If your baby's not sleeping, or your toddler keeps hitting in your face, it might be time to call in the experts. Every week Helpline invites an experienced expert on the show to answer your questions. This week we're joined by sleep consultant Jo Ryan from Babybliss If you'd like to book a private consultation with Jo or an...
Can you do the COVID pivot?
August 24, 2020 20:00 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBIn May this year the Australian Bureau of Statistics released figures showing that almost one million Australians have lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic. That's not including people who have had their hours reduced. It feels like the worst possible time to be looking for work, so how can people find opportunities? Do they even exist? Kirsty Levin is a careers counsellor at The Parents VillagePrior to the pandemic she helped people change careers after a break in work, or when th...
Telehealth a boon for new mums
August 23, 2020 20:00 - 10 minutes - 9.27 MBIt's not easy to get out of the house when you are a new mum with a new baby. Right when you get to the door they could have their first bowel movement in a week. Or you could get five minutes down the road and they start crying uncontrollably. Arabella Gibson is the CEO of The Gidget Foundation AustraliaShe's noticed how well telehealth counselling works for new mums going through a hard time. Arabella explains how it works, and whether easy access will continue post-COVID.. See omnystudi...
When is it time to leave a marriage?
August 20, 2020 20:00 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBMonogamous relationships aren't always easy and when children come along your partnership can change. But when is that change so great it's time to leave the marriage? Holly Wainwright is the head of Content at Mamamia and author of I give my marriage a yearHer book explores a question that many couples ask: Should I stay or should I go? Holly talks about what inspired the book, and how she managed to tell both sides of the story.. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
R_Maggie Dent: How to raise resilient boys
August 19, 2020 20:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBHow do you raise a boy well? We're living in a time when what is expected of men is very different to when we were growing up. How do we help our precious sons to become good men. Maggie Dent has raised four small boys to be good men, and she's been helping others do the same ever since.Maggie gives us her no nonsense advice about raising boys, with a healthy dash of humour and compassion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Helpline: Sleepless babies, dropping day naps, babies who don't crawl and more
August 18, 2020 20:00 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBEach week we have a Babyology expert join us to help you find a way through sleepless nights and unruly behaviour. This week Mothercraft nurse and author of Bringing Baby HomeChris Minogue joins us to advise on the following challenges: A six-month-old waking constantly through the night, a nineteen-month-old who is not a fan of sleep, a ten-month-old waking through the night, eighteen-month-old twins who like pulling hair, whether it's time to let a two-and-a-half year old drop their day nap...
Why Aussie women need greater pelvic support after birth
August 17, 2020 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBWhen it comes to vaginal birth, you can't get a more important set of muscles than the sling that makes up your pelvic floor. But it's also one of the most overlooked part of a mother's health in her postnatal check ups. Amy Dawes from the Australasian Birth Trauma Associationwants this to change. She's set up a petition through change.org to ensure that every woman gets the pelvic floor support they need - both pre and post birth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Advice for new dads still relevant twenty-five years later
August 16, 2020 20:00 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBTwenty-five years ago Peter Downey was a new dad trying to find his way through parenthood. He wrote a book called So You're Going to be a Dad thinking it may help others who were following in his footsteps. Now Peter's children are grown and are feeding and clothing themselves, but his advice remains in demand. Peter talks about what has changed since he first became a dad, and what remains the same. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do you co-parent during a global pandemic?
August 13, 2020 20:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBCo-parenting can be challenging when life is normal. Trying to manage a separated family while under lockdown or social distancing restrictions can be even more challenging. So what is the best way to navigate the fraught space of co-parenting during a pandemic? Elisabeth Shaw is the CEO of Relationships Australia NSW. She shares her best advice on how parents can get through this difficult time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do you coparent during a global pandemic?
August 13, 2020 20:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBCoparenting can be challenging when life is normal. Trying to manage a separated family while under lockdown or social distancing restrictions can be even more challenging. So what is the best way to navigate the fraught space of coparenting during a pandemic? Elisabeth Shaw is the CEO of Relationships Australia NSW. She shares her best advice on how parents can get through this difficult time.
R_Helping kids learn to read
August 12, 2020 20:00 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBLearning to read can be tough, for both kids and their parents. Literacy expert Brian Caswell from Mindchamps believes it takes patience and time, but the rewards are great for everyone. Brian explains how you can best support your child in their reading journey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Helpline: Gagging toddlers, dropping night feeds, fear-of-the-dark and more
August 11, 2020 20:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBSometimes when your baby or child is going through a challenging situation, it can feel like you've tried everything. That's when it's time to ask an expert, like Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue.Chris has had over thirty years helping families negotiate sleepless nights and tantruming toddlers. This week on Chris helps parents with: A 13-month-old who is gagging at meal times, a three-year-old who has replaced a dummy with their thumb, an early-waking three-year-old, dropping night feeds for...
Peter and Bridget Helliar want you to go on holiday
August 10, 2020 20:00 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBLife with small children isn't always conducive for big trips overseas. There is more luggage, sleep schedules to consider and it can all just feel too hard. But now Peter and Bridget Helliar's kids are older, they have a truckload of great memories spent travelling with them. And they want you to have the same experience. Their book is called Trippin' with kids, how to have fun on family holidays - just like you did before you had kids.While launching a travel book in the middle of a pandemi...
What the coronavirus pandemic has done to the way we drink
August 09, 2020 20:00 - 9 minutes - 9.17 MBThe coronavirus pandemic has led to some positive improvements in health and well being. Parents have reported spending more time with their kids, others say slowing down has helped calm chaotic schedules. But it has also led to an increase in alcohol consumption. So why are parents drinking more, and is it too much? Craig Martin is the Head of Evidence and Innovation at the Alcohol and Drug Foundation. He talks about the most recent research, and what is known about the way parents are drink...
What really matters for children when it comes to their family
August 06, 2020 20:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBFamilies come in all shapes and sizes, but for some reason the nuclear 'traditional' family is still seen by some as the way all families are meant to be. Susan Golombok is the Director of the Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge. She's been researching family units, and how children are doing, since the 70s. Her book We are family, what really matters for parents and children delves into the facts on what it takes for children to thrive. Susan talks about why single pare...
Should children be wearing face masks?
August 05, 2020 20:01 - 8 minutes - 8.07 MBFace masks are now mandatory for Melbournians, and the NSW Premiere has strongly recommended that her State mask-up when shopping or on public transport. It feels like we are all moving to a more consistent use of masks. So should our children be wearing masks? And what can we do if they won't even wear their hats? Dr Margie Danchin is a paediatrician at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. She explains the Government statement on kids and face masks, and what we can do if we want our ...
Poll reveals how Aussie families have been affected by the pandemic
August 05, 2020 20:00 - 14 minutes - 13 MBIt's almost six months into the coronavirus pandemic and there are no signs that life will be returning to normal just yet. In June the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne conducted their National Child Health Poll, investigating how parents and their children were coping during the crisis. Paediatrician and Poll Director Anthea Rhodes runs through how families are faring across a wide range of activities, including sleep and eating habits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...
Helpline: Weaning toddlers, dummy dramas, daddy issues and more
August 04, 2020 20:00 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBLike a toddler who gets too attached to their bedtime bottle, or another who can't sleep without their dummy. Whatever age or stage your child is at, we're here to help. This week paediatric nurse and sleep expert Jo Ryan helps with the following: A 15-month-old who doesn't want to give up their bedtime bottle, a two-year-old who refuses to sleep after giving up their dummy, a six-week-old who can't be settled by their dad, a two-and-a-half year old whose sleep has regressed, a two-year-old w...
New study helping parents manage challenging toddlers
August 03, 2020 20:00 - 17 minutes - 16.5 MBMost parents appreciate that the toddler years can be tough. Our little humans are designed to push boundaries at this stage of their lives. But sometimes it can be too much to handle. Dr Jane Kohlhoff from the University of NSW School of Psychiatry is the lead author on a study Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with Toddlerswhich explores the ways parents can manage challenging toddler behaviours. Jane explains how the study helps parents understand more where their toddlers are coming from.,...
How parents can help end the loneliness of autism
August 02, 2020 20:00 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBHow would you feel if your child was never invited to birthday parties? Or worse, if they had their own party but no other kids showed up? Katherine Peereboom is a mother of three boys on the autism spectrum and the founder of Spectrum SupportShe says that this is a reality for many parents with children on the spectrum. Katherine explains some of the more challenging social aspects with kids on the spectrum, and how we can help our children to be more accepting of neural difference.. See o...
Every family has their secrets
July 30, 2020 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBFamily histories can be a fascinating mix of fact and fiction, depending on who is telling the stories.Brad Argent is a family historian and researcher at ancestry.com. He strongly believes that when we look into our past we will always uncover something previously unknown. Brad talks about the times a family history search has changed people's lives, and the secret within his own family that he uncovered. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
R_Can you avoid a fussy eater?
July 29, 2020 20:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBWhen your baby starts solids it's exciting to watch them explore different tastes and textures. But sometimes our children will decide they don't like a certain food. What then? Will your child become one of those dreadful "fussy eaters"? Dr Jen Cohen, AKA The Fussy Eating Doctor, tells us how to define a fussy eater, and whether or not we can avoid them altogether. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Helpline: Toddler day naps, early toilet training, early risers and more
July 28, 2020 20:00 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBWhen life gets challenging with your small humans it can help to have an expert give you some guidance. Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue joins us on to help parents with the following problems: When and how to introduce cow's milk to a one-year-old, a six-month-old who doesn't self settle at night (but can during the day), coping with a four-year-old who chatters constantly, how to get a five-year-old to drink more water, what time to get a two-and-a-half-year-old to have their daytime nap, a...
Parenting in extraordinary times
July 27, 2020 20:00 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBEven before the coronavirus pandemic, it could be argued that we are parenting in extraordinary times. The rapid pace of technology, the so-called 'intensification' of parenting and the demands of juggling work and family life make this point in time a unique one in which to raise a family. Throw in a global pandemic and you have all kinds of demands on parents. Eloise Rickman is a parenting educator who responded to the pandemic by writing a book; Extraordinary ParentingEloise explains why s...
How to help kids manage their anger
July 26, 2020 20:00 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MBWhen your child is a toddler you learn that tantrums are a normal part of their development. As they grow older you may start to wonder why they are still happening. Child development expert Karen Young from Hey Sigmundsays that the path to emotional intelligence is long, and that it's very normal for older kids to have tantrums. Karen explains what to do when your child is struggling to manage their anger. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Walking: The unsung hero of the exercise pantheon
July 23, 2020 20:00 - 18 minutes - 17 MBJono Lineen is in love with walking. He is in love with walking that he wrote a book about it, it's called Perfect Motion, How Walking Makes Us WiserIn this book he includes the history of evolution, some philosophy and personal stories about his own life in extraordinary places. Jono explains how he first came to fall for such a simple process, and why it could be the salve for many parental frustrations.so . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
R_Understanding your baby's sleep in the first year
July 22, 2020 20:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBBabies go through so much change in the first year. Sometimes it can feel that they change in a day! One of the biggest challenges can be understanding why sleep patterns change during this time, especially given when they're not sleeping, neither are you. Fran Chavasse is the author of The Tresillian Sleep Book and says it's much easier to ride the waves of sleep deprivation when you know what to expect. Fran outlines the general development of sleep in the first year. See omnystudio.com/li...
Helpline: Toilet training, separation anxiety, wakeful twins and more
July 21, 2020 20:00 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBIt's a cliche but babies really don't come with a manual. And even when you've read all the books and googled all the problems, sometimes you just need someone to talk to. Karina Lane is a parenting coach, a postnatal doula and an expert with Babyology's Sleep School. On this episode of she tackles: A three-year-old who refuses to toilet train, an eleven-month-old who won't let dad help, a three-year-old who is always touching himself, a three-year-old always getting in to his parent's bed, n...
Kindness, play and friendship: Fifty seasons of Sesame Street in Australia
July 20, 2020 20:00 - 14 minutes - 13 MBThese days quality children's content is not hard to come by, but some of the best shows have been broadcasting for decades. This year, Sesame Street is celebrating fifty seasons in Australia. Autumn Zitani is a Content Producer at Sesame Workshop. She talks about the enduring mission of Sesame Street, and how the program is still relevant today. You can catch the fiftieth season of Sesame Street on ABC Kids. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How families can manage financial insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic
July 19, 2020 20:00 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBThe coronavirus pandemic has not impacted all families equally. Some families will be living as they always have while others will be battening down the hatches as they try to recover from job losses or hours cut. There is still a lot of uncertainty around what will happen come September when the Job Keeper financial support package comes to an end. Melissa Browne is a financial advisor and author of Budgets Don't Work, But This Does. Melissa talks about how we can navigate uncertain times, a...
Would you volunteer for one place for twenty-three years?
July 16, 2020 20:00 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBTime is not something parents have a lot of, so many of us think very carefully about how we will spend the time we get. Maybe you love to collapse in front of Netflix or to bury yourself in a good book. Isaac Kuruvilla is a dad of three who spends his spare time volunteering for the Starlight Foundation, and he's been doing it for the last twenty-three years.Isaac talks about why he started volunteering, and why he keeps going back. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
R_Learning how to deal with troublesome in-laws
July 15, 2020 20:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBWhen you sign up to a long-term monogamous relationship, chances are you also sign up to being a part of an extended family. And while you may choose your partner, you haven't chosen their parents. So what happens when there is tension between you and your in-laws? Ginny Lindsay is a psychotherapist at From Two to ThreeShe gives us some pointers on how to handle challenging relationships.. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Helpline: Cat-napping, aggressive toddlers, wind and more
July 14, 2020 20:00 - 32 minutes - 30 MBWhen it comes to navigating the challenges of parenting, it can help to have a some professional advice. Sleep consultant and paediatric nurse Jo Ryan can give you the perspective you need whether it's cat-napping babies or cranky toddlers. If you'd like to book a consultation with Jo Ryan check out Babyology's Sleep School. On this episode on Helpline Jo Ryan helps parents with: Aggressive two-year-old behaviour, ten-month-old cat napping, a three-year-old who is not listening to instruction...
Overcoming a fear of labour
July 13, 2020 20:00 - 18 minutes - 17.4 MBIt's something that humans have been doing for as long as humans have existed, but childbirth can still feel overwhelming and terrifying if you are the human that is about to do it. While the experience of pregnancy is deeply intimate - from morning sickness to feeling your baby's hiccups in the middle of the night - labour is the great unknown. Hannah Dahlen both teaches and practices midwifery. As the Professor of Midwifery at Western Sydney she's also undertaken and overseen many studies i...
Raising children to be good allies
July 12, 2020 20:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBThe #BlackLivesMatter protest may have started in the United States, but the issues the protestors raise are almost identical to those affecting Australia's First Nations People. In Australia thousands of people defied the COVID-19 restrictions to rally in support of our First Nations people. To protest against deaths in custody, life expectancy gaps and pervasive racism. Jasmine Seymour is a Darug woman, a primary school teacher and the author of picture books Baby Businessand Cooee Mittigar...
The unspoken truths about parenthood
July 09, 2020 20:00 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBAshe Davenport was one of the first among her friends to fall pregnant. With few examples to follow, motherhood came as a bit of a shock. In her book Sad Mum LadyAshe documents the things people don't talk about. Like loving your children but hating being a mother. Like how rage and grief can exist alongside love and joy. In this interview Ashe talks about how motherhood saved her and why it can be so challenging for women today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.