Parenting with Ngala

When we hear the word "behaviour," we tend to think of toddlers, but babies are communicating from the very first weeks of life. In this episode, Jen and Hannah sit down with Carol, a child health nurse with 11 years at Ngala and a mother of three, to reframe what behaviour actually means in the first year

Carol explains why there is no such thing as a naughty baby, how the iceberg analogy helps parents get curious instead of reactive, and why responding warmly to your baby will not spoil them.

From the personality emergence at three to four months, to separation anxiety and object permanence at nine months, Carol walks through what's developmentally normal, and why the "convenient child" at the next table in the restaurant is not necessarily doing better than yours.

Resources:
📞 Need more help? For those in Western Australia, you can call the Ngala Parenting Line on 08 9368 9368 for free expert support from our team.
Follow the Podcast:
Subscribe: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@UCctvj5LUZ1eAzSErNAmAvxA Website: 🔗 https://www.ngala.com.au/
Timecodes:
(00:00) Introduction — babies that know they have a safe person
(01:00) Carol introduces herself
(01:45) What does "behaviour" actually mean in the first year?
(02:45) There is no such thing as a naughty baby
(04:15) The iceberg analogy — behaviour as communication
(05:00) The shift from fix-it mode to curiosity
(06:15) How relationships shape behaviour and brain development
(08:00) You cannot spoil a baby — and you cannot be manipulated by one
(09:30) "What did I do to cause this?" — reassuring parents it's on track
(11:45) Temperament — why the same parenting looks different across children
(12:30) How to nurture a strong caregiver relationship
(15:00) Good enough parenting — the 30% rule
(16:00) Rupture and repair — it's okay when you can't always respond
(17:00) Sitting with big emotions — and what it brings up in us as parents
(19:15) What to expect at three to four months — personality emerging
(20:15) Four to five months — preferences, fun and motor frustration
(21:00) Six to twelve months — attachment, separation anxiety and object permanence
(24:00) Soothing preferences and how they change
(25:15) Big circles and little circles — confidence to explore
(26:15) Comparing your baby to others — the "convenient child"
(27:45) Goodness of fit — the baby you have vs. the baby you imagined
(28:30) Wrap up and Ngala Parenting Line
Follow Ngala 🌐
Instagram 🔗https://www.instagram.com/ngala.official/
Facebook 🔗https://www.facebook.com/Ngala.Official/
LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ngala/?originalSubdomain=au
Produced by Podwave Studios: https://podwavestudios.au/
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe.
Music from #Uppbeat
⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/the-summit⁠License code: FTQLZK6PIYUYDCXK
#parenting #parentingtips #baby #parenthood #ngala #grossmotordevelopment #podcast #perthparents #parents

S2Ep7: Play is the work of childhood but what does that actually look like in the first year of life? In this episode, Jen and Hannah are joined by Jane, a psychologist and mother of three at Ngala, to explore how babies play long before they ever pick up a Barbie or a dinosaur.

Jane unpacks two powerful theories of play, Vygotsky's social scaffolding and Piaget's "little scientist" model, and explains why both give parents permission to show up differently on different days. From the "serve and return" interaction and object permanence through peekaboo, to the honest conversation about phones and the still face experiment, this episode reframes play as something that's already happening and something that benefits parents just as much as their babies.

Resources:📞 Need more help? For those in Western Australia, you can call the Ngala Parenting Line on 08 9368 9368 for free expert support from our team.

Follow the Podcast:Subscribe: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@UCctvj5LUZ1eAzSErNAmAvxA Website: 🔗 https://www.ngala.com.au/

Timecodes:
(00:00) Introduction "Play is the work of childhood"
(01:00) Jane introduces herself
(01:30) What is play, really? Beyond Barbies and dinosaurs
(03:00) Two theories of play: Vygotsky vs. Piaget
(05:30) Independent play giving yourself permission to step back
(07:00) Normalising that play doesn't come naturally to every parent
(08:45) Serve and return the tennis game between baby and caregiver
(10:45) How play builds brain architecture and neural networks
(11:30) Play as mindfulness for parents
(13:00) How play supports language development
(16:00) Practical play ideas for the early months sensory, faces and lotion time
(18:15) Books, puzzles and letting go of the predetermined outcome
(20:45) Peekaboo and object permanence
(22:00) Play ideas for the second half of the first year pulling up, tempo games
(23:15) Winding down the importance of regulating play before bed
(24:30) Bath time and water play
(25:30) Nature as the ultimate sensory playground
(29:45) Do babies need toys? What the research actually says
(33:45) The still face experiment and phones an honest conversation
(36:15) Wrap up and Ngala Parenting LineFollow Ngala 🌐Instagram 🔗https://www.instagram.com/ngala.official/Facebook 🔗https://www.facebook.com/Ngala.Official/LinkedIn 🔗
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ngala/?originalSubdomain=au

Produced by Podwave Studios: https://podwavestudios.au/

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe.
Music from #Uppbeat⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/the-summit⁠License code: FTQLZK6PIYUYDCXK

#parenting #parentingtips #baby #parenthood #ngala #grossmotordevelopment #podcast #perthparents #parents

S2Ep6: Sleep is the top priority for most new parents, but it can also be the most unpredictable part of the first year. In this episode, Jen and Hannah are joined by Beth, a parenting line practitioner and mother, to discuss the "wild ride" of infant sleep.

We dive into the biological shifts behind the four-month sleep regression, the "rip off the bandaid" approach to unswaddling, and how to use the "stepping stone" method for responsive settling.

Whether you are dealing with a baby who practices their crawling at 2:00 AM or wondering if that 7-month-old comforter is finally safe, we cover the range of "normal" to help you feel more confident in your parenting journey.

Resources:📞 Need more help? For those in Western Australia, you can call the Ngala Parenting Line on 08 9368 9368 for free expert support from our team.

Follow the Podcast:Subscribe: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@UCctvj5LUZ1eAzSErNAmAvxA Website: 🔗 https://www.ngala.com.au/
Timecodes:
(00:00) Intro
(01:54) Moving from resistance to "radical acceptance"
(03:15) The 4-month sleep progression: Biological shifts in the brain
(04:58) Unswaddling: Safety, SIDS risks, and signs of rolling
(07:28) Transition strategies: Ripping off the bandaid vs. a gradual pace
(09:43) Developmental milestones: Practicing skills in the middle of the night
(12:13) Tummy sleeping: Is it safe once a baby can roll?
(14:26) Settling Stepping Stones: From verbal reassurance to co-regulation
(17:12) Comfort tools: Using comforters and dummies
(20:43) Responsive settling: Defining "Watch, Wait, and Wonder"
(23:13) Reading body language: Differentiating between yelling and distress
(26:13) The power of visual cues: Sitting vs. standing at the cot
(29:43) The problem-solving approach: Moving away from strict formulas
(32:27) Awake windows and the huge range of "normal" sleep needs
(35:43) Final thoughts and Ngala Parenting Line contact details

Follow Ngala 🌐Instagram 🔗https://www.instagram.com/ngala.official/Facebook 🔗https://www.facebook.com/Ngala.Official/LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ngala/?originalSubdomain=au
Produced by Podwave Studios: https://podwavestudios.au/
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe.
Music from #Uppbeat⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/the-summit⁠License code: FTQLZK6PIYUYDCXK
#parenting #parentingtips #baby #parenthood #ngala #grossmotordevelopment #podcast #perthparents #parents

S2E5 (3-12m) In this episode of Parenting with Ngala, child health nurse Jill, with over 20 years of experience, joins the conversation to discuss the essentials of starting solids.
Moving beyond strict schedules, the discussion focuses on what babies truly need for a safe and healthy transition to food: physical readiness, core strength, and sensory exploration.
Jill provides practical advice on introducing iron-rich foods and common allergens, while addressing the "poker face" required to handle normal gagging. From debunking the myth that solids improve sleep to managing digestive changes, this episode offers a grounded guide to navigating nutrition in the first year.
Resources:📞 Need more help? For those in Western Australia, you can call the Ngala Parenting Line on 08 9368 9368 for free expert support from our team.

Follow the Podcast:Subscribe: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@UCctvj5LUZ1eAzSErNAmAvxA Website: 🔗 https://www.ngala.com.au/
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgement of Country.
00:58 Meet Jill: Child Health Nurse and Parenting Line Expert.
01:41 Physical Readiness: Looking for "trunk strength" over "jellyfish blobs".
02:50 Timing and Safety: Why we aim for six months and never before four.
03:37 Setting the Scene: Familiarising babies with highchairs and spoons early.
05:15 The Gagging Reflex: Why gagging is a safe and necessary learning experience.
06:04 Introducing the First Bite: Consistency, iron-rich foods, and smooth purees.
08:11 Modern Guidelines: Moving beyond the "one food a week" rule.
08:55 Transitioning Textures: Moving from purees to soft lumps and finger foods.
10:41 Sensory Exploration: Embracing messy food play and "nutrients through eyebrows".
11:42 Balancing Milk and Solids: Why milk stays the priority initially.
13:33 The Sleep Myth: Why solids won't solve sleep challenges.
14:20 Digestive Changes: Managing constipation and new gut reactions.
16:47 Safety First: Distinguishing gagging from choking and the value of first aid.
20:23 Navigating Allergies: Introducing common allergens as "welcome friends".
22:23 Identifying Reactions: Rashes, eczema, and when to consult a GP.
24:55 Foods to Avoid: Honey and high-risk choking hazards in the first year.
26:22 Closing Thoughts: Contacting the Ngala Parenting Line for support.
Follow Ngala 🌐Instagram 🔗https://www.instagram.com/ngala.official/Facebook 🔗https://www.facebook.com/Ngala.Official/LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ngala/?originalSubdomain=au
Produced by Podwave Studios: https://podwavestudios.au/
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe.
Music from #Uppbeat⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/the-summit⁠License code: FTQLZK6PIYUYDCXK
#parenting #parentingtips #baby #parenthood #ngala #grossmotordevelopment #podcast #perthparents #parents

As your baby grows, most parents experience a significant shift in identity, relationships, and daily routines. In this episode we discuss the challenges of 'managing the juggle' as life moves on and many of us need to return to work (and life). Often referred to as the "forgotten period," our guest, Child Health Nurse Penny explores the reality of the mental load and the common feeling of losing one's sense of self during this intense period of change.The conversation offers practical strategies for managing expectations, maintaining relationships and building confidence in new routines while dealing with big emotions. Key concepts include letting go of perfection and embracing the power of "good enough".
#Resources:📞 Need more help? For those in Western Australia, you can call the Ngala Parenting Line on 08 9368 9368 for free expert support from our team.
Follow the Podcast:
Subscribe: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@UCctvj5LUZ1eAzSErNAmAvxA
Website: 🔗 https://www.ngala.com.au/
Timecodes:
(00:00) Introduction and Acknowledgement of Country.
(00:54) Meet Penny: 35 years of experience in the perinatal and parenting field.
(01:50) The Transition: Understanding the shift from "me" to "we".
(03:15 The Identity Shift: Navigating the "lost" feeling in early parenthood.
(05:25) Communication is Key: How to talk to your partner about the invisible load.
(08:10) The Support Network: Why it's okay (and necessary) to ask for help.
(11:05) Expectations vs. Reality: Letting go of the "perfect" image.
(14:30) Managing the Mental Load: Strategies for shared responsibility.
(18:15) Self-Care and Compassion: Recharging your own battery.
(21:40) Returning to Work: Navigating the emotions and logistics of the "double juggle".
(25:10) Childcare and Separation: Building confidence in new routines.
(29:30) Maintaining Relationships: Finding time for connection beyond the baby.
(33:15) The Power of "Good Enough": Embracing the mess and the learning curve.
(35:20) Closing: Information on the Ngala Parenting Line.
Follow Ngala 🌐Instagram 🔗https://www.instagram.com/ngala.official/
Facebook 🔗https://www.facebook.com/Ngala.Official/
LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ngala/?originalSubdomain=au
Produced by Podwave Studios: https://podwavestudios.au/
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe.
Music from #Uppbeat⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/the-summit⁠License code: FTQLZK6PIYUYDCXK
#parenting #parentingtips #baby #parenthood #ngala #grossmotordevelopment #podcast #perthparents #parents