The Science of Motherhood

Have you ever wondered if you’re doing something wrong because your baby won’t sleep the way you were told they “should”? Because it’s not just the broken sleep. It’s the pressure. The timelines. The numbers. The feeling that everyone else has it figured out, and you somehow missed the memo. This episode is part of The Science of Motherhood Summer Series, where Dr Renee White revisits some of your...

Have you ever googled something at 2am and walked away feeling more confused than before? Feeding and sleep advice can be loud, conflicting, and often loaded with unnecessary pressure, especially in the early weeks when you’re already tired and trying to figure everything out as you go. This episode is part of The Science of Motherhood Summer Series, where Dr Renee White revisits some of your favo...

Have you ever felt like becoming a mum changed more than your daily routine? Like it changed you? If you’ve felt a shift in your identity, confidence, or sense of self since having a baby, this episode will put words to it. This episode opens The Science of Motherhood Summer Series, where Dr Renee White revisits some of your favourite episodes, the ones that made you feel seen, understood, and les...

Have you been scrolling past everyone’s overseas holiday photos and feeling that quiet pang of “we can’t afford that right now”? And even if a local getaway sounds doable, you might be thinking about the packing, the nap timing, the feeding stuff, the toddler meltdowns, and wondering if it’s even worth the effort. In this episode, Dr Renee White shares practical, mum-tested tips for planning a sta...

Have you ever felt like your baby knows what you’re feeling before you even say a word? Maybe you’ve noticed them light up when you’re feeling calm and happy — or pull away a little when you’re flat or overwhelmed. These little moments often feel invisible, but they’re doing more than we think. In this episode, Dr Renee White explores new research on how a mother’s brain and her baby’s brain can l...

Motherhood changes the way you see yourself, your work and what you’re capable of. And when everything feels unfamiliar, it can be hard to recognise the opportunities that come with those changes. In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Renee Barnes, People and Culture professional and Director of The People Paradox. After navigating her own identity shift in...

The holiday season can feel intense for many mums. The plans, the expectations, the drop-ins, the comments. It stacks up fast and makes it hard to tune into what you actually need. In this episode, Dr Renee White breaks down why setting boundaries can feel challenging in early motherhood and why guilt often shows up the moment you try to protect your time or space. She offers simple, supportive la...

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...

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...

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...

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 Worl...

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 throug...

For years, mums have been told to take folic acid to support their baby’s development. It’s been one of public health’s biggest success stories, helping prevent serious birth defects. But new research suggests there might be more to the picture. In this episode, Dr Renee White explores an Australian study that questions whether excess folic acid could be contributing to rising rates of gestational...

Have you ever felt like you were supposed to just move on after pregnancy loss? So many mums are told to “be grateful”, to stay positive, or to focus on the next step. But grief doesn’t follow a tidy timeline. It lingers, it reshapes us, and it deserves space to be felt. In this heartfelt conversation, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Bianca Mastromanno, a Clinical Psychologist who has dedicated h...

Motherhood is already a sensory overload at the best of times. But for autistic women, pregnancy, birth and early motherhood can be an entirely different experience that’s often overlooked and misunderstood. In this week’s episode, Dr Renee White explores a powerful literature review uncovering what’s really happening when autistic women become mothers. From diagnostic bias to sensory overwhelm an...

Many women are starting families later in life, and for some, that means turning to IVF. But what’s fact, what’s myth, and what really matters when you’re navigating fertility in your late 30s or 40s? In this episode, Dr Renee White speaks with Dr Kellie Tathem, a Fertility Specialist, Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at Queensland Fertility Group. Kellie has a special interest in endometriosis, pel...

If you’ve ever experienced sudden breast pain, fever, or flu-like chills while breastfeeding, you’ll know just how quickly mastitis can take hold. For many mums, it’s the first real crisis in their breastfeeding journey, painful, overwhelming, and sometimes serious enough to land them in hospital. But what if there was a way to predict mastitis before it happened? In this Check In Tuesday episode,...

If you’ve ever been told your baby is “broken” because they don’t sleep through the night, you’re not alone. So many mums feel pressured by rigid schedules, conflicting advice, and the constant comparison game. But here’s the truth: babies aren’t meant to sleep like adults, and understanding their natural biology can make a world of difference for both you and your little one. In this episode, Dr...

Living with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) can feel overwhelming. Irregular cycles, difficulty conceiving, weight changes and the constant frustration of not having clear answers are a reality for up to one in ten women worldwide. For years, researchers have known PCOS runs in families, but the genetic explanation has never quite fit. Until now. In this episode Dr Renee White explores groundbrea...

Your gut and your brain talk more than you realise and it could shape your postpartum mental health. Postpartum can be both beautiful and overwhelming. While many mums expect sleepless nights and endless nappies, few are prepared for how much their mental health can be affected. Research is now showing that what we eat plays a role in how we feel, and that’s where today’s conversation begins. In t...

Motherhood takes it out of you. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. And if you’ve ever felt like your energy’s been zapped or your brain’s running on 1%, you’re not imagining it and you’re definitely not alone. In this episode, Dr Renee White takes you on a deep dive into a surprising topic: creatine supplementation for women’s health. That little white powder you’ve seen on gym shelves? It turns o...

Screens are part of everyday life, but knowing how to manage them while protecting our kids’ mental health can feel like a constant challenge. In this episode, Dr Renee White sits down with Professor Selena Bartlett, a neuroscientist, author, and mum who’s dedicated her career to making brain science practical for everyday families. Drawing on decades of research into neuroplasticity, stress, and...

Motherhood is a constant dance between caring for our little people, managing work, and trying to carve out moments for ourselves. Some days it feels like a juggling act, other days more like a seesaw, tipping one way or the other. And when it comes to feeding our families, the pressure can feel even bigger, especially if you’ve got a picky eater or two at the table. In this episode, Dr Renee Whit...

If you’ve ever found yourself rage-walking through the neighbourhood, shouting into the void of motherhood, or quietly fantasising about a solo trip to Italy (just for a little peace and quiet), then today’s episode is for you. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr. Renee White chats with author, podcast host, and reformed party girl Victoria Vanstone about the beautifully messy journey...

When you’re weighing up birth decisions, it can feel like there’s a mountain of opinions and not enough clarity. One recent study stirred up a lot of conversation online and for good reason. It looked at whether planned deliveries at 39 weeks (like inductions or scheduled caesareans) could be safer than waiting for spontaneous labour. In this Check In Tuesday episode, Dr Renee White walks you thro...