The Baby Playbook

Most couples underestimate the seismic shift that a new baby can trigger in their relationship—and the survival tactics that can get your connection through it. On this episode, renowned couples therapist Biannka Brannigan reveals the hidden neurological and emotional dynamics that threaten intimacy once children arrive—and exactly how to prepare for and navigate these changes before the baby’s first cry.
You’ll discover why marriage is more like a high-stakes road trip across unpredictable terrain, and how mapping your relationship’s future can act as a GPS when chaos strikes. Biannka shares practical tools for creating a “relational contract,” anchoring your connection in shared values, and using rituals to keep love alive amid sleepless nights and exhaustion.
We break down the common pitfalls—like neglecting the mental load, misreading each other’s signals, and falling into survival mode—and how these subtle shifts can fester into resentment years later. Biannka unveils the truth about the neurological stress response that narrows your window of tolerance, explaining why your patience wears thin and how to restore calm before the relationship fractures.
This episode is perfect for expecting parents, new moms and dads, or any couple feeling overwhelmed by parenthood’s uncharted waters. If you want to avoid silent resentment, build resilience, and keep your love story strong through the chaos, Bianca’s insights will transform the way you approach parenthood as a team—not just two individuals surviving side by side, but connected partners thriving in the face of change.
Tune in to learn how to normalize the rollercoaster, communicate your emotional needs effectively, and nurture your relationship even during the busiest days. Because in the end, the strength of your partnership is the greatest gift you can give your child.
#ParenthoodJourney #RelationshipGoals #CouplesTherapy #NewParents #FamilyDynamics #LoveAndParenting #EmotionalWellbeing #ParentingTips #RelationshipAdvice #IntimacyAndConnection
Follow Biannka here: https://www.instagram.com/biannka_gestalt_psychotherapy/
Website: https://www.biannkabrannigan.com/

Most couples underestimate the seismic shift that a new baby can trigger in their relationship—and the survival tactics that can get your connection through it. On this episode, renowned couples therapist Biannka Brannigan reveals the hidden neurological and emotional dynamics that threaten intimacy once children arrive—and exactly how to prepare for and navigate these changes before the baby’s first cry.
You’ll discover why marriage is more like a high-stakes road trip across unpredictable terrain, and how mapping your relationship’s future can act as a GPS when chaos strikes. Biannka shares practical tools for creating a “relational contract,” anchoring your connection in shared values, and using rituals to keep love alive amid sleepless nights and exhaustion.
We break down the common pitfalls—like neglecting the mental load, misreading each other’s signals, and falling into survival mode—and how these subtle shifts can fester into resentment years later. Biannka unveils the truth about the neurological stress response that narrows your window of tolerance, explaining why your patience wears thin and how to restore calm before the relationship fractures.
This episode is perfect for expecting parents, new moms and dads, or any couple feeling overwhelmed by parenthood’s uncharted waters. If you want to avoid silent resentment, build resilience, and keep your love story strong through the chaos, Bianca’s insights will transform the way you approach parenthood as a team—not just two individuals surviving side by side, but connected partners thriving in the face of change.
Tune in to learn how to normalize the rollercoaster, communicate your emotional needs effectively, and nurture your relationship even during the busiest days. Because in the end, the strength of your partnership is the greatest gift you can give your child.
#ParenthoodJourney #RelationshipGoals #CouplesTherapy #NewParents #FamilyDynamics #LoveAndParenting #EmotionalWellbeing #ParentingTips #RelationshipAdvice #IntimacyAndConnection
Follow Biannka here: https://www.instagram.com/biannka_gestalt_psychotherapy/
Website: https://www.biannkabrannigan.com/

Losing a baby is one of the most profound and complex grief journeys. This episode reveals the nuanced reality behind pregnancy and baby loss—beyond the statistics, into the raw, emotional truth. If you've experienced loss or know someone who has, what you're about to hear could change how you understand, support, and find your own healing process.
Nikolina shares her deeply personal story of pregnancy loss, grief, and navigating life with a surviving twin. Her honesty opens a window into the rollercoaster of emotions—guilt, anger, hope, and resilience—that accompany loss. This episode with The Feel Food Psychologist Stephanie Alexander is a vital reminder that grief isn’t linear; it ebbs, flows, and transforms with love and time.
This episode underscores a crucial message: there is no ‘right’ way to grieve, and support is always available. Whether you're struggling personally or looking to support someone you love, you'll find comfort, clarity, and practical insights to make space for love and loss alike. Perfect for anyone walking this difficult path or supporting someone who is. Nikolina and Stephanie Alexander, a seasoned psychologist and mental health advocate, share expert advice and heartfelt stories that foster connection, healing, and hope. If you’re ready to move through grief with compassion and understanding, this episode is your essential guide.
Explore the journey of #PregnancyLoss, understand #Grief, and learn how to #SupportLovedOnes with compassion and empathy. #HealingTogether #EmotionalWellbeing #PodcastEpisode
LINKS: 
Connect with Stephanie: ⁠⁠www.feelgoodpsych.com.au⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefeelgoodpsychologist/⁠⁠
Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en⁠⁠
Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: ⁠⁠https://heynikolinak.co/⁠⁠
Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: ⁠⁠https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice⁠⁠ 
Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282⁠⁠ 
Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): ⁠⁠https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge⁠

Most new moms are caught in the whirlwind of trying to "bounce back" after pregnancy, but what if that pressure is actually doing more harm than good?
Jen Dugard, a prenatal and postnatal fitness specialist, and founder of MumSafe, shatters the myth of instant postpartum transformation and shares why chasing the "pre-baby body" can be a dangerous distraction from truly healthy recovery—and what to focus on instead.
In this eye-opening conversation, Jen explains how society’s obsession with rapid postpartum fitness increases risks like pelvic floor issues and mental health struggles. She reveals why every woman’s postpartum journey is unique and how to approach exercise safely based on her history, emphasizing the importance of pelvic health, strength rebuilding from the inside out, and trusting your body’s signals.
You'll discover evidence-based tips on timing your return to exercise, what a realistic recovery looks like, and why a strong foundation now sets you up for long-term health and confidence. Jen shares practical advice on how to build a support network, incorporate gentle movement into busy days, and combat mom guilt—because taking time for yourself is an essential part of caring for your family.
This episode is perfect for new and expectant mothers, fitness professionals, and anyone seeking to understand the true path to postpartum recovery—beyond societal expectations and fleeting trends.
Keep up with MumSafe here:
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Facebook
#PostpartumRecovery #NewMomJourney #BodyAcceptance #PelvicHealth #MomLife #FitnessAfterBaby #EmpoweredMothers #HealthyRecovery #MumSafe #JenDugard

Most parents don’t realize that common issues like feeding difficulties, mouth breathing, and sleep problems in babies are all connected — often rooted in oral dysfunction and jaw development.
In this episode, Dr. Shereen Lim, a Perth-based dentist and author of Breathe, Sleep, Thrive, reveals how early interventions can change your child's health trajectory for good.
You’ll discover the hidden signs of tongue tie, the critical role of nasal breathing, and how poor jaw growth in early years impacts long-term sleep, breathing, and even speech.
Dr. Lim shares surprising insights from her decade-long journey, starting with her husband's snoring, that led her to revolutionize our understanding of childhood airway health.
Website: www.drshereenlim.com.au
Instagram: @dr.shereenlim https://www.instagram.com/dr.shereenlim
Book - Breathe, Sleep, Thrive https://www.drshereenlim.com.au/book
#ChildHealth #ParentingTips #OralHealth #SleepSolutions #NasalBreathing #TongueTie #JawDevelopment #HealthyKids #EarlyIntervention #BreatheSleepThrive