The ParentCast

Episode 2 explores our three very different birth stories with none going to plan. Hear our tips for getting through labour, what we'd do differently or wish we'd known. As always, we'll let you know our favourite product of the week.

Episode 3 sees our first experiment of recording over Skype (not without it's challenges...) & our first expert interview with Sam Green, father to a ten month old boy and child language acquisition specialist from University College London. We discuss 'what's normal?', 'when should you worry?', bilingualism and more. As always, we discuss our favourite products of the week. Sam is on hand to answer any questions following the episode; find us on Facebook and Twitter and we'll make sure you get an answer to your questions. Subscribe on iTunes or listen via Soundcloud. If there's something specific you're looking for in the interview, here's the key discussion points and when they occur: 00:55 What's normal? The universal stages of language acquisition 4:12 How do sounds in utero affect a baby's speech development? 10:15 When should you worry about your child's speech development? 15:00 Late Bloomers and Walkers vs. Talkers 17:39 How does language acquisition differ for deaf children? 18:54 Can early language acquisition difficulties lead to long term impairment? 21:44 How does language acquisition differ for bilingual and multilingual children? 23:48 Our favourite products of the week

To finish off our initial trilogy of episodes with Mary, Amie and Natasha, Episode 4 sees us discuss our experience of Motherhood (AKA, multitasking) so far, complete with two little guest appearances. As Mary's daughter enters the dreaded Four Month Sleep Regression, Amie's little one enters Toddlerhood and Natasha's boy turns three and starts talking back, this week we talk about the trials and tribulations of day light savings verses jet lag, how showers have changed since having children and how Furbies are like children. As always, we also fill you in our favourite products of the week - this week, they're predominantly sleep related! Natasha is dialing in from Sri Lanka this week, so forgive us for any echoing on the line. The ParentCast News: As we get to grips with juggling motherhood and podcasting, we're going to slow things down a bit and broadcast once a fortnight for a little while. Find us on Facebook and Twitter, let us know what you think of this week’s episode. Subscribe on iTunes or listen via Soundcloud.

Episode 5 is the first in a three part mini series for The ParentCast all about routine. This week, we're talking specifically about how we figured out a day time routine in the early days and how you adapt as they grow. As always, we discuss our products of the week: - Woven Wraps gets a further endorsement from Mary after recently trialing one and she's sending out a product request for entertaining her 4.5 month old in the buggy. - Natasha recommends E Flash Apps on iOS or Android to help with your toddler's vocabulary. - And Amie is singing Clarks Shoes' praises after buying Baby Girl her first pair of proper shoes last week. Subscribe on iTunes or listen via Soundcloud or theparentcast.co.uk. Episode 5: 00:55 Finding a rhythm in the early days and Baby Whisperer's EASY routine 03:22 Do bottle fed babies find a routine quicker than breast fed babies? 06:05 Cluster feeding and the start of bedtime routines 08:31 Sleep training 09:23 How naps change as they grow 13:26 Baby led routine; is there any other way? 16:00 How weaning effects routine 18:39 When does the 7pm milk feed drop away? 20:02 Favourite products of the week

Episode 6 is the second in a three part mini series for The ParentCast all about routine. This week, we're discussing everything from bedtime routines to Natasha's experience of co-sleeping and Mary's recent attempts at sleep training. And all three of us reminisce about our beloved Blanky, Nellie & Roger the bear. We also share our top tips for getting babies & toddlers to sleep. As always, we discuss our products of the week: 1. For all those mummies (and daddies if they wish) all over the world who are 'waiting it out' rather than attempting to sleep train their little ones; Natasha recommends checking out the Wait It Out Mummies Facebook group for help, advice, encouragement and support. 2. As Mary ventures into the world of weaning, she's recommending Annabel Karmel's Quick and Easy Weaning book. 3. While Amie recommends a simple little stacking farm with six houses and animals, which Baby Girl just can't get enough of. Find us on Facebook and Twitter, let us know what you think of this week’s episode. Subscribe on iTunes or listen via Soundcloud. Episode 6: 00:33 our bedtime routines and current 'sleeping through' status 06:10 co-sleeping 13:59 moving Baby Girl into her own room 14:40 sleep training 20:17 blankies, bears, bunnies and Lamby 23:13 top tips for getting babies and toddlers to sleep 26:53 favourite products of the week