The Science of Motherhood

We've known for decades that breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. What we've never fully understood is why.

That question is what makes this research so significant.

In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Professor Sherene Loi, Medical Oncologist and Group Leader at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, to discuss a landmark paper published in Nature that ide...

If you've ever been nap trapped and spent the whole time quietly worrying that you're creating a dependency your baby will never grow out of, this one's for you. What's actually happening in your baby's brain while they sleep on your chest is one of the most compelling pieces of science in early infancy, and you deserve to know it.

This episode is for every mum who has sat there convinced she should be doing something more productiv...

Most conversations about maternal mental health start in the same place: the one in five women who experience postnatal depression or anxiety. But what about the other four in five? What are we doing to help them thrive?

It is a question that stops you in your tracks, because most of us have never thought to ask it.

In this episode Dr Renee White sits down with Lesley Pascuzzi, an Applied Psychologist and PhD candidate at Curtin Univ...

If you've just had your baby and your milk hasn't arrived yet, the first thing to know is that your body is not failing you. It's actually doing something remarkably complex behind the scenes, and most people, including most healthcare providers, never take the time to explain what that actually looks like.

This episode is for every mum who has found herself Googling this question at 2am, wondering if something has gone wrong. It ha...

Have you been to your six-week checkup and walked out with only a script for the pill? Or found yourself wondering what your actual options are now that you've had a baby?

This week, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Natasha Vavrek, women's health GP and clinical director at The Bubble, to break down all the contraceptive options available after birth. Not just the pill. Everything.

This conversation started from a real question from ...

Have you ever wondered why some Australian families travel overseas for surrogacy? Or been confused by headlines about proposed payments for surrogates and whether that crosses a line?

Australia's surrogacy laws have been called "confusing, restrictive, and not fit for purpose." Now there's talk of reform, including monthly payments to surrogates. But it raises questions about whether we're finally acknowledging the labour involved,...

You've heard breastfeeding protects against allergies and asthma. But have you ever wondered what's actually happening inside your baby's body to make that possible?

It's one of those things people say all the time, but rarely explain. And when you're in the thick of feeding, you deserve more than soundbites.

In this episode, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Toby Mansell, a researcher from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute he...

If you’re staring at a breast pump late at night and wondering how this is meant to work once you’re back at work, you’re not alone.

Returning to work while breastfeeding is one of the most common and least supported transitions in early motherhood. It’s practical, emotional and deeply personal. Many mums feel caught between feeding their baby, returning to their role at work and trying to hold onto a sense of themselves in the proc...

Breastfeeding is often spoken about as something that should feel natural, intuitive, and just click. But for many mums, the reality looks very different.

Pain that doesn’t settle. A baby who feels tense, sleepy, or unsettled at the breast. And a quiet question running in the background, why is this so hard for us?

In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Emily Jones, an Advanced Paediatric Osteopat...

Have you ever wondered why you’re still so hungry after having a baby, or why postpartum recovery feels heavier than you expected?

For many mums, the early months after birth are a mix of healing, feeding, broken sleep and trying to make sense of advice that often feels confusing or contradictory. Especially when food and blood sugar have already felt closely monitored during pregnancy.

This episode is part of The Science of Motherho...

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 favourite conversations, the ones tha...

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 favourite conversations, the ones that ma...

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 less alone in your motherhood journey.

In...

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 staycation that actually feels like a br...

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 literally sync up during moments of co...

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 motherhood, Renee created The FOUND...

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 language that helps mums communicate t...

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 real.

In this week’s episode of The ...

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 Lecturer of Midwifery at Western Syd...