The Science Baby Podcast

Breastmilk vs Formula: Is Breast Really Best?

Mothers these days might be told that 'breast is best' when it comes to feeding their baby. But what does that mean for mothers that struggle with their breastfeeding journey? We dive into the chemistry of breastmilk and formula, as well as the science behind the choice you make. 
In this epsiode:
We compare our very different baby feeding experiences - Kim has breastfed, while Leila never nursed, but used a combination of pumping and formula.
The history of breastfeeding for mammals and our species, as well as the development of modern infant formula
What exactly is in formula and in breast milk
How breast milk is made from blood and bones
How breast milk changes dynamically in response to your baby 
What the data shows about the differences breastmilk vs formula makes. 
Some of the information in this episode comes from Emily Oster's brilliant book Cribsheet, which you can buy for yourself here.
And if you have a snotty baby and you don't want to do it the old-fashioned way, you can find a multitude of snot suckers out there:
Bulb
Snot Pooter
Motorised thingummy (aka a nasal aspirator)
Note: the shopping links here are affiliate links which earns us a very modest commission to help fund this podcast.  

The Perils of Social Media for Parents

Social media can be a great tool for discovering new people and new things (like this podcast!) but for new, impressionable, and unsure parents, it can often do more harm than good. 
In this episode:
The era we're living in right now is shaped by our interactions on social media
How algorithms work to find and serve what you secretly want
Our personal experiences with social media through our parenting journeys
How social media has evolved in recent years
The fundamental need for social comparison and how social media is changing that
What we can do to protect ourselves
Find more Science Baby content at thesciencebaby.com 

Babies Have To Learn To Poop

When you become a parent, your thoughts become consumed by poop. From meconium to potty training, the biology of babies' poop is possibly one of the weirdest things in the world. 
In this episode: 
Our personal experiences with poop
What is poo, what is meconium, and why is baby poo so colourful
The gut microbiome and vaginal seeding
The diminishing gastrocolic reflex
Why mums love the smell of their babies' poo
 

Baby Sleep vs Adult Sleep

There is a fundamental conflict between how babies sleep and how adults sleep, and it's causing us way more stress than it needs to.
In this episode: 
Our personal experiences with out babies' sleep
The biology of sleep, including sleep-wake homeostasis and circadian rhythms
Helen Ball and colleagues' book 'How Babies Sleep'
The science of sleep cycles and sleep consolidation
Differences between children
Cultural pressures
How to cope, including cosleeping advice

Hello from The Science Baby

It's the very first installment of The Science Baby Podcast!
A chance for you to get acquainted with your hosts, Leila and Kim. We're two science communicators and first time mums trying to understand the science behind pregnancy, birth and beyond.
In this episode:
Our respective journeys to motherhood
Our professional and nerdy backgrounds
 We chat about matrescence, maternal mental health and the medicalization of birth
Why we want to make this podcast, and what you can expect