CBeebies Parenting

What should we eat during pregnancy, after giving birth and if breastfeeding, and how do we approach weaning when our baby is ready for solid food? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore how parents can nourish themselves and their baby without putting pressure on every meal. Michelin-trained chef, new mum and author of Poppy Cooks: The Actually Delicious Batch Cookbook, Poppy O’Toole, shares how ba...

It can sometimes feel as though your child has only just recovered before the next lurgy arrives. But how much illness is normal and what can we do to limit the spread? The Traitors series three winner Leanne Quigley discusses the extra worry she feels when her twin sons, who were born prematurely and have ongoing health issues, become unwell. GP, TV doctor and author Dr Nighat Arif explains why c...

How can parents introduce young children to the concept of consent? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore how everyday moments can help children understand personal boundaries and recognise those of others. Charlie Hedges shares how she encourages her four-year-old daughter to express when she feels uncomfortable. Child and educational psychologist Dr Ahmar Ferguson offers advice on how to have age...

How can parents support children through the highs and lows of friendship? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore when to offer guidance and when to stand back. Comedian and author of Lydia Marmalade and the Christmas Adventure, Cariad Lloyd shares how her two children approach friendships differently and reflects on feeling like an outsider. Educational and child psychologist Dr Sasha Hall explains...

Why is the sky blue? Why do I have to brush my teeth? Why, why, why? If you've ever been on the receiving end of an endless stream of questions from your child, you'll know that curiosity seems to come naturally. Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore where that curiosity comes from and how parents can help it flourish. They're joined by comedian, Peep Show star and Taskmaster contestant Isy Suttie,...

How do you tell a young child their parents are separating? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore honest, age-appropriate conversations that can help children feel safe when family life changes. Broadcaster and former Love Island contestant Laura Anderson shares her experience of being a single mum and creating a blended family for her three-year-old daughter. Podcaster and author of The Co-Parent:...

Where does ordinary parental tiredness end and burnout begin? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore the warning signs that can leave parents feeling overwhelmed. DJ, broadcaster and author Ashley James shares her experience of sleep deprivation, overstimulation and balancing motherhood with her career. She also explains why sharing the mental load and making time for herself help her step back befo...

Why does parental guilt follow us into so many parts of family life? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore guilt around work, missed bedtimes, nursery drop-offs and finding time for yourself. Presenter Siân Welby shares her experience of returning to work after having her daughter, while parenting expert and author of The Work-Parent Switch Anita Cleare explains how to question unhelpful guilt and...

How can singing and music help children learn, connect and express themselves? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore why music can be such a powerful part of family life, from babies hearing voices before they are born to children developing their own musical tastes. MOBO and Mercury Prize nominated musician Kojey Radical talks about music at home, becoming a dad and learning to embrace the songs a...

Starting school is a big milestone, so what does school readiness really mean? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B are live from the CBeebies House studio in Salford, in front of an audience of local parents and children, to explore how families can help little ones build confidence, independence and everyday skills without putting pressure on them to be academically ahead. With CBeebies already helping...

Boredom. It’s a word that strikes fear into the hearts of parents everywhere. Because let's be honest, the moment a child says, 'I'm boooored,' many of us feel an urgent need to become all singing, all dancing entertainers, and activity planners, all rolled into one. But what if boredom isn't the enemy? What if those moments of unstructured play are where imagination, creativity, and a little bit...

Recorded in front of a live audience at Camp Bestival, Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore why parents so often feel judged for the choices they make and the best ways of dealing with it. In The Library tent, with the sounds of the main stage drifting in from outside, they sat down with viral content creator MumBum and GP and author of How to Be a Dad, Dr Oscar Duke, to talk about the judgements...

You might not believe it, but both Charlie and comedian Sara have struggled with shyness their entire lives. Shyness affects half of UK adults and can often begin in childhood. How should we approach shyness in our kids? Author and confidence coach Nadia helps to provide some answers.

Going on holiday with babies, toddlers or young children can feel like a very different kind of break. There are snacks to pack, sleep routines to think about, spare clothes, travel toys, nappies, long journeys, new surroundings and the challenge of being away from familiar home comforts. Katie Thistleton and Guvna B put together a guide to family holidays, exploring how parents can travel with li...

How can parents help children feel calmer when they need to see a doctor, visit the dentist or go to hospital? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore why health appointments can feel worrying for children, from sterile waiting rooms and strange smells, to bright lights and unusual equipment, and look at simple ways to make those moments less stressful for the whole family. JLS star and voice of The...

How can we help children become brave without putting them in danger or passing on our own worries? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore how parents can support children to climb, jump, explore and take safe risks, while learning when to step in and when to give them space to work things out for themselves. Saturday Night Live UK star and toddler mum Emma Sidi shares how she gives her young son sp...

How can we feel more confident in our parenting choices and quiet our inner critic? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore what it takes to trust ourselves as parents, overcome self-doubt and understand the positive impact confidence can have on our children. Atomic Kitten singer and mum of five Natasha Hamilton opens up about losing confidence in her parenting during the height of her fame and the...

Winning can feel brilliant and losing can feel overwhelming, especially when children are still learning how to manage disappointment, excitement and frustration. Katie Thistleton and Guvna B look at how parents can help children cope with wins and losses, from the football World Cup and sports day to board games at home. Women’s Super League winner, Euro 2022 champion and England’s all-time leadi...

Patrescence is the term used to describe the physical, psychological and emotional changes men can go through as they become fathers. In this episode, Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore the science behind fatherhood and look at what can shift for dads in the early stages of parenting, from identity and confidence to bonding, care and support. Dr Anna Machin, evolutionary anthropologist, pioneer...

Katie Thistleton and Guvna B take on loneliness in parenthood. Inspired by a listener’s message, they explore why parenting can sometimes feel isolating, even when your days are full and your child is at the centre of everything. Former Love Island contestant and mental health advocate Malin Andersson shares her experience of loneliness in parenthood while navigating grief, co-parenting and a majo...

Why do babies laugh, and what can those early giggles tell us about how they are growing? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore the surprising power of laughter in the very earliest stages of life, from a baby’s first smile or chuckle to the bigger laughs that come with play, connection and shared joy. Professor Sophie Scott, Director of the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, and Head of the Spe...

Katie Thistleton & Guvna B return on Saturday 6 June with a brand new series of CBeebies Parenting Download. Each week, they’ll unpack the parenting headlines everyone’s talking about, with warmth, insight and expert-led conversations — helping you make sense of the stories and what they mean for your family.

Comedians Louise Boyce and Hannah East bring the laughs! The pair chat about the chaos, joy, and hilarity of imaginative play with kids, navigating the first year of parenting, and tips for finding fun in everyday moments with what you already have. Plus, a make-believe master calls into the show to try some of his characters and Louise introduces us to her secret weapon - Philippa the hand puppet...

Holly Ramejkis, aka The Body Positive Mum is shattering taboos about body confidence on this empowering episode. She shares her journey to post-partum confidence and gives practical tips to callers for building body gratitude and acceptance. Holly and Charlie share their experiences with social media pressures and raising body-positive kids. This episode contains some frank discussion about how wo...

Presenter, author and parenting campaigner Anna Whitehouse joins our hosts for a frank conversation about miscarriage & baby loss. The trio talk about processing traumatic experiences, seeking partner & workplace support and practical ways friends/family can help you to heal. Callers share their vulnerable stories of loss. If you or someone you know is grieving, support can be found via or...