Welcoming a new baby into the family can be an exciting, yet also stressful time. Babies don’t come with instruction manuals, and navigating the postpartum period brings its own set of challenges. 

Prepare yourself by listening to our favorite podcasts for new and expecting parents, recommended by the Main Line Parent Community.

Add These Podcasts for New Parents to Your Playlist

The Main Line Parent Community suggested their favorite podcasts for new and expecting parents to support you through every stage. From birth stories to postpartum mental health, these shows cover everything you need. 

The Birth Hour: A Birth Story Podcast

The Birth Hour: A Birth Story Podcast features two new episodes a week, where host Bryn Huntpalmer speaks with parents who share their birth stories. The goal of the podcast is to empower and educate expecting parents. 

No one can truly prepare for their own childbirth experience. However, learning from a podcast for new parents and hearing about the birth experiences of others can ease expecting parent jitters. 

Situation specific birth stories featured on the podcast range from topics such as giving birth overseas to preparing for a VBAC. The Birth Hour also features episodes that focus on pregnancy and postpartum wins and challenges.

The Evidence Based Birth Podcast

If you enjoy learning from birth stories and want to dig deep into research, this podcast for new and expecting parents is a must listen. The Evidence Based Birth Podcast discusses the research behind popular topics in pregnancy, childbirth, and delivery, while sharing birth stories. 

Episodes cover topics such as the evidence behind acupuncture during pregnancy or while trying to conceive, eating and drinking during delivery, and nitrous oxide use. 

The podcast aims to improve the quality of childbirth, by helping expecting parents make informed decisions during the childbirth process. 

Postpartum Better

Chelsea Barbine, host of Postpartum Better, mom of two, and Postpartum Health Coach, is based in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Her podcast focuses on early motherhood topics such as how to care for yourself after birth, breastfeeding, and how to build a support system. 

Barbine said, “A woman will never think, feel, or act the way she once did before having her children. And that’s a beautiful thing — when you’re prepared for it!”

Podcast fans can access more community and guidance through Barbine’s postpartum coaching, Better After Birth. 

Main Line Parent community member Sarah K. said that Postpartum Better “prepares mom for postpartum mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually.” 

Parenting Stuff I Wish I Knew Sooner (and Want You to Know Now)

Havertown native and podcast host, Erica Desper is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, Postpartum Certified Doula, and mom. 

In 2011, she founded the Center for Confident Parenting and the Special Needs Collective, working with parents in the Greater Philadelphia Area and even internationally. She strives to support other parents through on demand classes, coaching, and her podcast.

She said, “I’m a Mom who seems to learn everything about parenting the hard way, so I’m on a mission to bring information, resources and support to other parents earlier and more easily.”

Episodes range from how to handle naps and constipation, to how to prepare to bring a baby home from the hospital.

Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled

Janet Lansbury’s podcast Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled has been creating content for new parents for more than a decade. She answers listener questions and addresses a parenting challenge in each episode. 

Podcast topics vary from separation anxiety to bedtime battles and are all rooted in her respectful parenting approach.   

Good Inside with Dr. Becky

Clinical psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy is beloved by fans for her philosophy that all kids are good inside, no matter how they behave. 

Her parenting podcast, Good Inside with Dr. Becky, discusses parenting topics such as screen time, shame, and how to teach your kids resilience.

Mom and Mind

Dr. Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D., P.M.H.-C, also known as Dr. Kat, specializes in perinatal mental health. Her personal struggles with postpartum depression inspired her to start the podcast Mom and Mind in 2016. 

Weekly episodes focus on mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Main Line Parent community member and podcast listener Nicole M. highly recommends it.

”Dr. Kat addresses so many complex parenthood topics with a compassionate voice and true care,” said Nicole. “Her podcast has hundreds of episodes and there is such a range of almost every topic under the parenting umbrella.”

Think, Act, Be

Clinical psychologist and podcast host Seth J. Gillihan, Ph.D. discusses how to find happiness, peace, and connection in parenting and beyond. 

Main Line Parent community member Paul K. said, ”Seth Gillihan has really great mental health-focused episodes on his podcast.”

Seth interviews various experts with episodes such as “How to Have Great Communication with Your Kids at Any Age,” and “How to Handle Tough Emotions Without Freaking Out.” 

Favorite Podcasts for New Parents

Connect with other parents through mom and baby classes and listen to our favorite podcasts for new parents for expert tips and tricks. Whether it’s your first child or fourth, parents can turn to these podcasts for entertainment, education, and as a way to find another member of your “village.” 

Lead photo courtesy of Chelsea Barbine.