#200 - What if calm isn’t something you need to create — but something that grows when you slow down and truly notice?

In this milestone 200th episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, Helen Thompson reflects on five years of podcasting, decades of childcare experience, and what she’s learned about babies, overwhelm, and the quiet pressure first-time mums carry.

Rather than doing more, this episode offers a gentle pause — a chance to reset, breathe, and reconnect with what really supports babies and the mums who care for them.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why babies respond so differently to calm versus overwhelm
• How slowing down helps babies feel safe enough to be themselves
• Why “calm” is something babies grow into — not something they arrive with
• How acknowledging a baby’s feelings builds trust and emotional security
• A gentler rhythm for First Time Mum’s Chat as it moves forward

Helen also shares why she’s expanding the podcast into YouTube, and how this next chapter is focused on deeper connection, visual learning, and creating space — not noise.

Whether you’re listening while feeding, walking with the pram, or taking a quiet moment for yourself, this episode is a reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out.

You are learning your baby.

You are finding your rhythm.

And you are doing enough.

🎧 Listen now and let this episode meet you where you are. Check out the show notes at https://www.mybabymassage.net/podcast/200.

#199 - Baby walkers, jumpers, and exersaucers are some of the most popular baby devices on the market — but are they really helping your little one learn to stand and walk, or could they be holding them back? In this episode, Helen Thompson breaks down the surprising truths many parents never hear about how these devices impact a baby’s hips, posture, balance, and overall development.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience and her recent work with six-month-old twins, Helen gently explains why babies placed in upright positions before their bodies are ready often develop compensations like knee-locking, toe-walking, back-arching, and delayed milestones. You’ll hear why these devices aren’t “bad” — but why awareness matters, and how simple movements like rolling, wriggling, tummy time, and floor play build the strongest foundations for confident walking later on.

Whether you already use baby gear like jumpers or you’re thinking of buying one, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical guidance to help you support your baby’s natural development in a safe and empowering way.

Helen also shares a special end-of-year update — including an exciting announcement about the upcoming 200th episode — and invites you to reflect on the key question of this episode: “Is my baby’s body truly ready for the positions these devices put them in?”

Check out the show notes at https://www.mybabymassage.net/podcast/199.

#198 - If bedtime has started to feel stressful, tense, or full of tears (for you and your baby), you’re definitely not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 gentle soothing techniques that can help your baby feel safe, settle more easily, and relax into calmer, happier nights.

You’ll learn:

• How to read your baby’s cues so you can support them before overwhelm hits
• A simple jawline + toe reflexology routine to ease teething and tension
• How to use your breath and voice to help your baby regulate
• A calming back massage story that brings emotional grounding and connection
• Why your calm is the key ingredient — even when settling takes time

If you’re ready to bring a little more peace into your evenings and feel more confident soothing your baby, this episode will help you build rhythms that truly support both of you.

👉 Show notes: mybabymassage.net/podcast/198

If you’ve ever stood in a baby store aisle thinking, “Which stroller is actually right for me?” — you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing 7 smart questions that every first-time mum should ask before buying a baby stroller, so you can avoid the overwhelm and choose one that truly fits your lifestyle.

You’ll learn:

✅ How to find a stroller that matches your day-to-day routine — not just what looks good in the shop

✅ Simple ways to save money and skip costly “must-have” mistakes

✅ How to balance comfort, safety, and practicality without feeling pressured by trends

If you’re ready to feel confident about your stroller choice and enjoy those first walks with your baby feeling calm and stress-free, this episode will help you shop smarter and spend wiser.

👉 Check out the show notes at mybabymassage.net/podcast/197.

If you’ve ever stared at a baby shopping list wondering, “Do I really need all this?” — you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 baby essentials I truly love and recommend for those first few months, plus the 4 popular items that usually just collect dust.

You’ll learn:

• How to simplify your shopping list without missing what matters most
• The key baby items that make daily life calmer and easier
• Common “must-haves” that end up forgotten after a few weeks

If you’re ready to save money, reduce clutter, and focus on what really helps you and your baby thrive, this episode will help you start small and stress less.

Check out the show notes at mybabymassage.net/podcast/196.

Discover three simple but powerful techniques that can transform your day-to-day with a newborn. In this episode, I talk with Hannah Eccles of Oscha Slings about how smart sling choices, safety tweaks, and wearing practices can calm fussiness, enhance bonding, and give you more freedom (yes, your hands back!).

You’ll learn:

• Which fabric types help regulate baby’s temperature
• How to use positioning to soothe reflux or unsettled moments
• Confidence-boosting tips for first-time mums just starting out

If you’ve ever wondered “Will a sling really help me survive the early days?”, this is your answer. Tune in and walk away with real, actionable hacks you can try today.Check out the show notes at https://www.mybabymassage.net/podcast/195.

Are your white noise infant habits helping — or secretly wrecking sleep? I break down 5 costly mistakes with white noise sleep sounds and sound machines—and the quick fixes that make nights calmer, safer, and easier. Which one are you making?

You’ll learn:

• The safe volume & distance rule that protects little ears
• When to use white noise—and when to switch it off
• A gentle 7-night fade to reduce dependence without tears
• The sleep sounds that soothe (and the ones that disrupt)
• How to avoid timer-click wake-ups and midnight panic

If this helped, follow the show and share it with a tired mom — every play supports the podcast.Check out the show notes at https://www.mybabymassage.net/podcast/194.

Should you use a dummy for your newborn — or is there a gentler way to soothe them? In this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, I’m exploring 7 shocking downsides of newborn dummies and sharing simple, calming alternatives that really work.

You’ll learn:

• Why over-reliance on dummies can delay self-soothing and even affect speech.
• How newborn dummies can become a habit that’s tricky to break later.
• Gentle, sensory-rich strategies — from music to baby massage — that help your baby feel safe and settled without depending on a dummy.

Whether you call it a dummy or a pacifier, you’ll discover practical tools to comfort your baby and build lasting connection right from the start.

👉 If you’ve ever wondered how to ease your infant without relying on dummies, this episode is packed with ideas to help you feel calmer and more confident.

Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of First Time Mum’s Chat. For links and resources mentioned, check the show notes at mybabymassage.net/podcast/193.