By Your Side

When Relationships Feel Unsafe: Recognising Domestic Abuse in Pregnancy and Early Parenthood

In this episode, Katie speaks with Lauren Seager-Smith, CEO of For Baby’s Sake, about something that can quietly emerge or escalate during pregnancy and early parenthood: domestic abuse, particularly coercive control. Lauren explains why this period of huge transition can place strain on relationships, and how past trauma and early life experiences can shape the way partners relate to one another. She also helps unpack the warning signs of coercive control — behaviours that may initially appear subtle but can deeply affect a parent’s wellbeing and sense of safety. Together they discuss: * Why pregnancy and early parenthood can be a time when abuse first appears or intensifies * How trauma can influence relationship patterns * The warning signs of coercive control * Why speaking to a trusted professional can be an important first step Lauren also shares practical guidance on safety planning and where parents can find support — from midwives and health visitors to specialist helplines and local charities. At the heart of this conversation is a simple message: support is available, and no one should feel they have to face this alone. This episode centres the wellbeing of both parents and babies, recognising that when parents are supported and safe, babies are safer too.   To find out more or ask for support, you can contact: 👉 https://forbabyssake.org.uk/ [https://forbabyssake.org.uk/] 👉 Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247 👉 NSPCC - 0808 800 5000 ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for information and awareness only and is not a substitute for professional or medical advice. If you are worried about your safety or someone else’s, please speak with a trusted professional or contact a specialist support service.

Is Kids’ TV Addictive? How Screens Hook Little Brains

In this episode, I’m joined by Will Mauer, founder of the Children's Media Research and Reform Lab and a TEDx speaker. We talk about something almost every parent wrestles with: screens. Will explains how many children’s shows aren’t designed for development — they’re engineered for engagement. Fast cuts. Flashy visuals. Autoplay. Stacked episodes. All carefully structured to trigger dopamine hits and keep young viewers watching. For babies and toddlers — especially under two — that matters. We unpack: * What “junk food media” actually means * Why rapid pacing and autoplay affect the developing brain * How addictive viewing patterns form * The difference between quality and quantity * Why co-viewing changes everything * What to choose when you do need to use a screen This isn’t a shame-fest. It’s clarity. If screens are part of your life (and let’s be honest, for most of us they are), this episode will help you make steadier, more intentional choices — and be kinder to yourself in the process. Because protecting early development doesn’t require perfection. It requires awareness.   To find out more about Will you can find him on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/willmaurer [https://linktr.ee/willmaurer] or contact him on  willmaurer@cmrrl.org

If This Feels Hard, You’re Not Doing It Wrong: Busting Baby Myths with Emily Little, PhD

New parenthood is full of shoulds. You should find breastfeeding natural. You shouldn’t hold your baby too much. You should feel back to normal by six weeks. But what if those stories were never true? In this episode of By Your Side, researcher Emily Little, PhD joins us to gently dismantle some of the most persistent baby myths — and replace them with science, context and compassion. Drawing on her research across more than 30 countries, Emily explores: * Why breastfeeding is often hard (and why that’s not a personal failure) * What infant contact really does to a baby’s nervous system * How cultural norms , not biology, shape many parenting expectations * Why the body and brain continue changing long after the six-week check This is an episode for anyone who’s ever wondered, “Is it meant to feel like this?” You’ll leave with reassurance, practical perspectives, and a deeper understanding of why support, not willpower, matters most in early parenthood.   👉 To learn more about Emily's work, visit hyperlink [https://emily-little-phd.kit.com/]   The conversations shared on this podcast reflect personal experiences and professional insights, but they’re not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice. If you’re struggling or have questions about your wellbeing or your baby’s, please speak to a qualified professional. You’re not alone, and help is available.

Dad Matters: The Untold Story of Fatherhood — with Kieran Anders

Why do dads often feel like the “plus one” in pregnancy and early parenting? In this powerful conversation, Katie talks with Kieran Anders, National Lead for Dad Matters, powered by Home-Start, supporting dads in the perinatal period to build strong relationships with their babies. He’s passionate about improving outcomes for families by ensuring dads are included, informed, and supported from the start. Together, they unpack: 👶 How dads bond from birth (yes, hormones play a part!) 🧠 Why play, touch and presence are vital for baby brain development 💬 How to bridge the “dad engagement gap” in pregnancy and postnatal care 💛 Why supporting fathers means stronger, calmer, more connected families   Kieran also shares his personal story — the highs, the struggles, and the reminder that dads don’t need to have it all figured out. They just need the support, space and agency to show up as themselves. 🎧 Tune in to this compassionate and eye-opening episode — for dads, partners, and anyone who believes that every parent deserves to feel they matter 👉 To learn more about Kieran’s work, visit Dad Matters [https://www.home-start.org.uk/dad-matters]   The conversations shared on this podcast reflect personal experiences and professional insights, but they’re not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice. If you’re struggling or have questions about your wellbeing or your baby’s, please speak to a qualified professional. You’re not alone, and help is available.

It Starts With You: Parenting Beyond Fear and Shame — with Suzanne Scott

How our childhood experiences shape the way we parent isn’t always obvious — but it’s always powerful. In this week’s episode, Katie talks with Suzanne Scott, founder of Trauma-Informed Parenting, about how childhood adversity (ACEs) can quietly influence our reactions, our patience, and even the stories we tell ourselves as parents. Together, they unpack: 💛 What trauma really means (beyond the big events) 🧠 Why shame and fear drive so many of our responses 🌿 How pausing, breathing, and repairing can transform connection This is a deeply grounding, hopeful conversation about starting where you are — with compassion for yourself first. Because you can’t regulate a child if you’re running on empty. 🎧 Listen now on By Your Side. 👉 To learn more about Suzanne’s work, visit traumainformedparenting.uk [https://www.traumainformedparenting.uk/]    The conversations shared on this podcast reflect personal experiences and professional insights, but they’re not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice. If you’re struggling or have questions about your wellbeing or your baby’s, please speak to a qualified professional. You’re not alone, and help is available.