The Science of Motherhood

• Ep 202. How Does Baby Massage Support Your Baby’s Development?

  If you’ve ever looked at your baby and wondered how to feel more connected, you’re not alone. The early weeks can feel busy, emotional and a little uncertain. You’re feeding, settling, changing and doing your best, but sometimes it still feels like something is missing.And then you hear about baby massage. Some people say it’s essential. Others say it’s just a nice extra. It’s hard to know what’s real.In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Vicky O’Rourke, founder of Connect Baby, experienced occupational therapist and mum of three. Vicky blends 14 years of paediatric clinical experience with the gentle practice of infant massage, offering parents a simple, evidence-backed way to support their baby’s development while strengthening their bond.Vicky breaks down what baby massage actually is, what the research says, and why touch is one of the most powerful tools you already have.Renee and Vicky talk through what matters, what parents often misunderstand, and how you can build more confidence in the early weeks with small, simple moments.You’ll hear about:How baby massage supports bonding, regulation and early development.Why cue based touch helps you understand your baby’s signals more clearly.The role of oxytocin and how it benefits both you and your baby.Practical ways to use touch during unsettled days, sleep struggles or sensory overload.Why connection matters more than perfect technique.You’re allowed to slow down, follow your baby’s lead and use touch as a way to reconnect when everything feels overwhelming. This episode will give you grounded, evidence based guidance so you can feel clearer and more confident moving forward.Resources and Links📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies📘 Connect with Vicky O’Rourke:Website: www.connectbaby.com.auInstagram: @connectbaby__✨ This episode is proudly brought to you by Fill Your Cup. Head to our website to learn more about our birth and postpartum doula offerings.If this episode helped you feel more supported, share it with a friend who needs it. And hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode of The Science of Motherhood.DisclaimerThe information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice.

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• Ep 201. VBAC Explained: What Every Mum Needs to Know with Dr Hazel Keedle

  If you’ve had a caesarean before, you’ve probably been given a whole mix of advice about what to do next time. Some people warn you off VBAC. Others tell you to go for it. And then there’s you, stuck in the middle, trying to make sense of it all.In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Dr Hazel Keedle, one of Australia’s leading VBAC researchers and a Senior Lecturer of Midwifery at Western Sydney University. Hazel has spent decades listening to women, studying their stories, and breaking down what truly supports a positive birth after caesarean. She’s down to earth, easy to listen to, and offers the kind of straight-up clarity mums are craving.Renee and Hazel talk through what actually matters, what’s outdated, and how you can feel more confident in your choices moving forward.You’ll hear about:Hazel’s four factors framework for planning a supportive VBAC.Why “once a caesarean, always a caesarean” is old thinking.How your care team shapes your experience more than you realise.The system pressures that mums often feel, but rarely get explained.Practical tips for choosing people who genuinely support your birth wishes.You’re allowed to slow down, ask questions, and choose the care that feels right for you. VBAC isn’t about proving anything. It’s about feeling informed, backed, and respected. This episode will give you that grounding so you can move forward with more clarity and less noise.Resources and Links📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies📲 Connect with Dr Hazel KeedleWebsite: https://hazelkeedle.comInstagram: @hazelkeedleHazel’s book The Clinician's Guide to Better Birth After Cesarean is available through Amazon and major online retailers.If this episode helped you feel a bit clearer or more supported, pass it on to another mum who’s weighing up her options too. And hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode of The Science of Motherhood.DisclaimerThe information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice.

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• Ep 200. What 200 Episodes Have Taught Me About Motherhood (and Myself)

  Have you ever thought, “If only I’d known then what I know now?”You’re not alone.In this milestone episode, Dr Renee White reflects on the biggest lessons she’s learned from the last 100 conversations on The Science of Motherhood from researchers and clinicians to doulas and mums who’ve shared their lived wisdom. With honesty and heart, Renee opens up about what she’d do differently if she could experience early motherhood all over again, and how the science has reshaped her understanding of what mums truly need.Whether you’re pregnant, preparing for postpartum, or deep in the motherhood trenches, this episode is a compassionate guide to doing things differently… with more knowledge, confidence, and self-kindness.You’ll hear about:• Why understanding matrescence before birth matters more than any baby book• The mental health practices that protect your wellbeing long before postpartum hits• What the research really says about infant sleep (and why your baby isn’t broken)• The power of nourishment, rest, and realistic expectationsThis is the episode Renee wishes she could have listened to before becoming a mum and one that reminds you that you’re not broken, you’re transforming.Resources & Links:📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookiesRelated episodesEp 116. Lucy Jones – The Art of MatrescenceEp 138. Kate Johnstone – How to Find Self-Compassion in MotherhoodEp 192. Prof. Helen Ball - Why Baby Sleep Advice Often Fails MumsEp 150. Dr Laura Gainche – Latest Research on Infant SleepEp 198. Julie Borninkhof - Catching It Early: How to Protect Your Mental Health in MotherhoodEp 106. Alex Sinickas – Not All Breast Pumps Are Created EquallyEp 108. Kate Visser – How and Where to Start on a Relactating JourneyEp 184. Lily Nichols - Pregnancy Food Made Simple: What Your Body Really NeedsIf this conversation resonates, share it with another mum or mum-to-be who needs to feel seen, supported, and reassured and make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss an episode.Disclaimer:The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is

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• Ep 199. Are We Running Out of Time? The Truth About Fertility Decline

  Have you ever caught yourself wondering if time’s slipping away to start or grow your family? Maybe you’ve been trying for months and it’s starting to feel heavy, or maybe you’re in your 20s or 30s thinking there’s plenty of time to figure it out.In this week’s episode of Dr Renee White sits down for a heart-to-heart about something that affects more families than we realise… fertility. With World Fertility Day around the corner, she unpacks what the latest research actually says about fertility rates, age, and the hidden barriers that make family planning harder than it should be.This isn’t about creating panic. It’s about getting the facts, feeling informed, and knowing that wherever you’re at, you’re not alone in figuring it out.You’ll hear about:The real science behind fertility decline and how age plays a roleWhy one in six couples worldwide experience infertilityThe male factor that often goes unnoticedHow housing costs, financial pressure and gender inequality impact family planningSimple, evidence-based steps you can take if you’re trying now or planning aheadWe don’t talk about fertility enough. There’s still so much silence, shame and confusion around it. Renee brings honesty and compassion to a conversation that so many families need to hear. It’s the kind of chat you’d have over coffee with a friend who just gets it, full of care, facts, and hope.If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Maybe it’s just me,” this episode will remind you it’s not.Resources & Links:📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookiesRelated episodesEp 66. Professor David Gardner – The Science Behind IVFEp 64. Dr Manuela Toledo – What to Expect on Your IVF Journey?Ep 146. Dr Cheryl Phua – What You Need to Know About Freezing Your EggsEp 160. Dr Cheryl Phua – Fertility Treatments 101Ep 172. Dr Kokum Jayasinghe – How Endometriosis Affects Fertility and What You Can DoIf you found this episode helpful, share it with another mum who might need a reminder that she’s not alone. And make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss the next episode of The Science of Motherhood.✨ This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia’s first doula village.Disclaimer:The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to...

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• Ep 198. Catching It Early: How to Protect Your Mental Health in Motherhood

  When you’re deep in early motherhood, it’s easy to think you’re just tired or that others have it worse. But what if asking for help early could change everything for you and your baby?In this week’s episode Dr Renee White speaks with Julie Borninkhof, CEO of PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) and Clinical Psychologist. Julie has spent years supporting Australian families through pregnancy and early parenthood.Together, they explore the signs that something’s not quite right, what actually happens when you call PANDA, and how preparing your mental health before baby arrives can help you feel more grounded when life changes overnight.You’ll hear about:What perinatal mental health covers and why early support mattersWhat to expect when calling the PANDA HelplineCommon reasons parents and families reach out for helpHow to prepare your mental wellbeing during pregnancyHow partners, grandparents and friends can support new parentsMotherhood isn’t meant to be done alone. If something feels off, trust that instinct. Support is available and it’s never too soon to ask for help.Resources & Links:📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies🤍 Connect with Julie Borninkhof and PANDAWebsite: www.panda.org.auInstagram: @pandanationalHelpline: 1300 726 306If you found this episode helpful, share it with another mum who might need a reminder that she’s not alone. And make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss the next episode of The Science of Motherhood.✨ This episode is proudly brought to you by Cake MaternityCake Maternity specialises in high-quality nursing bras that are supportive, functional, comfortable, and stylish because you shouldn’t have to compromise as a mum.With sizes from 6–22 bands and A to JJ cups, their range includes seamless, flexi-wire, hands-free pumping, and absorbent birthing bras. Explore the collection at au.cakematernity.com and use code FYC15 for 15% off your order.Disclaimer:The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional’s advice.

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