What is the Best Podcast for New Moms?

 

Takeaway: Becoming a mom changes everything. The experience can be tough, rewarding, exciting, nerve-wracking, and exhausting all at the same time. Podcasts can remind you that you’re not alone in this experience, and they can offer you advice for navigating parenthood. In this post, I talk about the benefits of listening to podcasts and offer my take on the best podcast for new moms. 

 
 

You want to be a good mom, and you want to take care of yourself, too. As a new mom, though, it can be really hard to know exactly how to do that. Trust me, I've been there.

You want parenting advice from someone who gets it-not the generic stuff you hear all the time. Sure, tips from the parenting books and your baby's pediatrician are helpful, but sometimes you need more than just practical advice. You want to know that you're not alone.

Parenting podcasts can fill that void. Whether you're looking for a pregnancy podcast to help you prepare for your baby or want to feel like you're catching up with mom friends, there's something out there for you.

Let's dive in.

 
 

HOW LISTENING TO A PARENTING PODCAST CAN HELP

There are so many complicated emotions that come along with motherhood. Maybe you've always dreamed of becoming a mom and feel so excited that it's finally your reality. You can't wait to meet your little one and see who they grow into.

However, many new moms also struggle with their mental health. Postpartum depression is real, and it can feel like it robs you of the job and presence you hoped to experience postpartum. You might feel sad, irritable, have a hard time taking care of your baby and yourself, and the whispers of shame that often come with depression may keep you isolated.

Then there's the exhaustion and overwhelm that almost all new parents experience. Even if you don't experience postpartum mental health struggles, the mental and physical load of caring for a baby (and potentially other children) and lack of sleep can really get to you.

Podcasts can help. If you've never listened to a podcast before, you might be hesitant to give them a try. You might also wonder if it's really worth your time and energy. That's totally valid-those are precious resources, especially for new parents!

Still, listening to a parenting podcast can have tons of benefits. Here are just a few.

feel understood

Becoming a new mom is an indescribable experience. Unless you have mom friends or other people in your life who can relate, you might feel alone. Even if you know other parents, your experiences might be totally different.

Listening to podcasts can help you feel connected to other moms who really get it. Since there are so many different podcasts out there, you're more than likely going to find one that's relevant!

Depending on your birth and parenting experience, it might be hard to talk about what you're going through. Just listening to other moms discuss topics that resonate with you can be incredibly healing.

find meaning and purpose

Even if you're not struggling as a new mom, there's no denying that parenthood is life-changing. It takes time to process this life change and discover what being a mom means for you.

Identity changes, shifts in your relationships, loss, and parenting triggers–there’s a podcast episode for just about everything you can think of. Hearing other mamas speak about their experience can help you reflect on your own. You might even gain a new perspective on what you're going through.

There's data to back up this idea. Research suggests that people who listen to podcasts find more meaning in their life. Of course, everyone finds meaning in their own way, but podcasts are a great option if you're open to them.

learn more about parent-and yourself

Many new mamas turn to podcasts as an educational resource, too. They're full of helpful tips for everyday issues that many new mothers face, including:

  • Deciding to have another child

  • Creating a birth plan

  • Choosing baby names

  • Making decisions around maternity leave

  • Birth experiences and postpartum care

  • Time management with an infant

  • Navigating body changes

  • Life as a single mom

If you have parenting questions, chances are there's a podcast that addresses them. Podcasts can also help you learn about yourself and your identity as a mom.

Of course, we recommend touching base with your doctor if you have questions about the health and wellbeing of your little one (or yourself). Otherwise, podcasts for new moms can give you answers to questions you may never have known to ask.

make time for your own life

As a new parent, you know how hard it is to make time for self care. Between feedings and changing diapers and simply soaking in life with your new baby, many new parents struggle to carve out time for themselves.

 

OUR FAVORITE PARENTING PODCASTS FOR NEW MAMAS

There are so many great podcasts for moms. It's important to find the ones that resonate most with your experience of becoming a parent.

If you're totally new to the podcast world or are looking for a new one to add to your weekly podcast rotation, check out our list below. I've rounded up some of the best podcasts for new moms, no matter which part of new parenthood you're in.

Podcasts offer a simple way to care for your mental health without requiring a ton of extra time and energy. You can throw on a podcast when you're in the shower, driving to a doctor's appointment, or right before bed.

Of course, there are many important elements to self care. Podcasts alone won't address all of your needs. However, they can be a quick and effective way to learn, relate, and show yourself a little love.

 
 
 
 

holding space podcast

My podcast, Holding Space with Dr. Cassidy Freitas (that's me!), features conversations with expert guests from around the world. We talk about all things parenting, from fertility and pregnancy to partner relationships and maternal mental health. Whether you're a new mom or have been raising kids for years, there's episodes for every parent.

GOOD INSIDE WITH DR. BECKY

In her podcast, Dr. Becky (a clinical psychologist and mom to three kiddos) answers listener's questions and offers tangible, realistic parenting advice. She helps listeners become the parents they want to be by building strong parent-child relationships. Beyond her podcast, she also offers a community platform with workshops, scripts for tricky situations, and access to expert contributors (like me!). 

WHAT FRESH HELL: LAUGHING IN THE FACE OF MOTHERHOOD

As parents and comedy writers, hosts Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables have plenty of advice and funny stories about motherhood. Their podcast offers parenting advice, answers your questions about being a mom, and features expert interviews. Topics range from gender disappointment to mom anxiety and everything in-between.

RESPECTFUL PARENTING: JANET LANSBURY UNRUFFLED PODCAST

Janet is a parenting expert who focuses on respectful parenting. She teaches parents about respecting their kiddo's autonomy-even as infants. Each episode of her podcast tackles a listener-submitted parenting challenge, and Janet gives her input about how to approach the issue from a respectful parenting perspective.

MOMWELL (FORMERLY HAPPY AS A MOTHER)

The Happy as a Mother podcast, which has now evolved into Momwell, is hosted by fellow therapist Erica Djossa. In it, she dives into the mental and emotional aspects of motherhood, striving to create a space where all moms feel supported. Check out my guest episode where Erica and I discuss returning to work after maternity leave.

THE MOM HOUR

The Mom Hour is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners enjoy motherhood. Hosts Meagan Francis and Sarah Powers have eight kids between them, so they know a thing or two about mom life. Along with their contributors, they give moms advice on how to be more confident, master time management, explore their identities, and more.

SPAWNED PARENTING PODCAST WITH KRISTEN AND LIZ OF COOLMOMPICKS

Need some humor in your life? If so, Spawned Parenting Podcast is a great listen. Kristen and Liz, along with their celebrity guests, talk about all things parenthood and offer tangible tips-all while making you laugh.doc

THE PEDSDOCTALK PODCAST

Pediatrician, mother, and host Dr. Mona Amin is on a mission to help parents get the most out of their parenthood journey. In her podcast, she talks with guests (including me!) about common parenting challenges and tools to help parents feel supported. In my guest episode, we discuss navigating overstimulation as a parent.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS PODCAST

This podcast is especially for working moms. Host Laura Vanderkam is an author and mom of four, while host Sarah Hart-Unger is a mom of three and practicing physician. On their show, they discuss topics around work-life balance, like how to grow your career while still making quality time for your kiddos (and yourself).

THE BIRTH HOUR

In this podcast, host Bryn Huntpalmer talks with guests about their childbirth stories. No matter where you're at in your fertility, pregnancy, or parenthood journey, these stories can help you remember you're not alone. 

PROJECT PARENTHOOD

On Project Parenthood, host Dr. Nanika Coor (a clinical psychologist) gives tips on child management from a respectful parenting perspective. Most episodes are under ten minutes, making them ideal for busy moms.

THE MOMMY LABOR NURSE PODCAST

Birth, labor, and the newborn phase come with lots of unknowns. Host and registered nurse Liesel Teen offers expert interviews and tons of tips for pregnant mamas. My guest episode on the show covers everything you need to know about birth trauma. 

WORKING MOM HOUR

This is another one of the best podcasts for working moms. Hosts Erica and Madeline are both working moms themselves, so they really get it. In their podcast, they offer tips for self-advocacy and cultivating joy while trying to balance it all.

THE BOOB GROUP

The Boob Group is a podcast dedicated entirely to breastfeeding support. Hosted by a group of moms, weekly episodes cover the challenges and triumphs of breastfeeding-plus how our society impacts how parents feed their babies.

SAGE FAMILY PODCAST

On her podcast, Rachel Rainbolt hosts expert guests and conversations around tons of parenting topics, including gentle parenting and natural homeschooling. In my guest episode, we discuss boundaries, including what they are and how to set and receive them. 

MOTHER HONESTLY PODCAST

This show is specifically designed for busy moms-and, let's be real, that's the reality for many moms (if not all of us!). Mother Honestly focuses on character development and personal growth, while taking your busy schedule into account.

THE BALANCE AND MOTHERHOOD PODCAST

Finding balance in motherhood can be so difficult-and this is especially true as a new mama finding your way. This podcast is all about finding compassion and self-love as a mom-not just to be better for your kids, but because you deserve it.

MOMS DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ BOOKS

This literary podcast is hosted by writer and entrepreneur Zibby Owens. In her daily episodes, she talks with authors about their books-because, let's face it, moms really don't have time to read much.

THE EXPECTING AND EMPOWERED PODCAST

Hosts (and sisters!) Amy and Krystle are passionate about empowering women who are pregnant or postpartum. In their podcast, they share stories, resources, and their own experiences to help other mamas and mamas-to-be feel supported. Our conversation in my guest episode focuses on maternal mental health from conception through the postpartum period.

IF THESE OVARIES COULD TALK

Looking for a podcast about non-traditional families? If so, give this podcast a listen. It's hosted by two LGBTQ parents, Jaimie Kelton and E Bradshaw, and they talk about what it's like to raise kids in a society where their families don't look like the default.

HAPPY SINGLE MOM

This podcast is just what it sounds like-a show made by and made for single moms. Host Khalifa talks with guests about navigating motherhood as a single mom: the challenges, triumphs, and everything in between.

ONE BAD MOTHER

As you probably know by now, being a mom isn't all rainbows and butterflies. The One Bad Mother podcast encourages listeners to embrace the crazy, messy, even embarrassing sides of motherhood-all with a healthy dose of humor.

BECOMING MOMS WITH DR. STERLING

Dr. Sterling is a board-certified ObGyn and a mom herself. On her podcast, she helps parents navigate their reproductive experience and features conversations around fertility and pregnancy. I spoke with Dr. Sterling about setting boundaries during infertility, infant loss, and the newborn phase in my guest episode.

PLUS MOMMY PODCAST

On the Plus Mommy Podcast, host Jen McLellan interviews guests about navigating motherhood in a plus-sized body. Episodes feature topics like fertility, pregnancy, fashion, making friends, and more-all through the lens of body love from the perspectives of plus size women.

MIGHTY MOMMY PODCAST

As the host of the Mighty Mommy Podcast, host Cheryl Butler (who's a mom of eight kids) shares quick and dirty tips for all things parenting. Parenting is tough work, but she wants to help you find more ease and fun in the process.

 
 
 

GET MORE SUPPORT FOR NAVIGATING LIFE AS A NEW MOM

Podcasts are a great resource for new mamas. Yet, they can't be the only place you get support. As a licensed marriage and family therapist (and mom myself), I'm a strong advocate for maternal well being.

In my practice, my fellow therapists and I offer postpartum therapy for new moms. Motherhood is such a unique experience, and we're here to help you make sense of it all. Reach out for your free consultation today!

 
 
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