In this episode of The Baby Playbook, your host Nikolina Kharoufeh dives into one of the most exciting — and sometimes overwhelming — milestones in your baby’s first year: starting solids. 🍎🥄

Nikolina shares her personal journey of introducing solids to her little one — the wins, the messes, and the moments that taught her what really matters. From knowing when your baby is ready, to choosing between purées and baby-led weaning, to managing the inevitable mess (and anxiety!), Nikolina offers practical tips, honest reflections, and plenty of reassurance for parents navigating this new stage.

Whether you’re a first-time parent or just looking for a fresh perspective, this episode will help you feel more confident, relaxed, and informed as you start your baby’s food adventure.

#TheBabyPlaybook #StartingSolids #BabyMilestones #FirstFoods #BabyLedWeaning #ParentingTips #NewMumLife #FeedingJourney #MumHacks #BabyNutrition

LINKS:

Grab a copy of Save Our Sleep Feeding here (25%use the special code ‘PLAYBOOKS25’): https://www.saveoursleep.com/product-category/books-app-advice/books/

Check out Nourishing Bubs here: https://www.nourishingbubs.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=pmax_remarketing_11_feb_24&utm_content=all_assets&utm_term=non_purchasers&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21018097402&gbraid=0AAAAADH8g23XLUt3ryftQH_stA2lrs-Lr&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmYzIBhC6ARIsAHA3IkRgWUOf6Bdr1DCg2TSUL8wysfvH4iyZQ-uRX-SEz5z1qKD2-LTkGeEaAhaHEALw_wcB

Check out the Allergen Website here: https://preventallergies.org.au/

Get a Catchy here: https://catchyandcrew.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOor3dqJF0nUczkDigcFLYvh686Nv16jc0jpotPEmd0XwB7z64swL 

Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en

Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/

Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice 

Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 

Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge

In this episode of The Baby Playbook Podcast, we’re joined by nutritionist Cat Dean to dive into one of the biggest milestones in your baby’s first year — starting solids! Cat shares her expert insights on how to choose nutrient-dense foods to support your baby’s growth and development, plus practical tips for making mealtimes positive and low-stress for both you and your little one.

We’ll cover: 🍎 The best first foods for your baby — and why nutrient density matters 🥑 How to introduce variety and flavor early on 🥣 Simple strategies for meal prep without feeling overwhelmed 🧡 Creating a calm, confident approach to feeding that supports lifelong healthy eating habits

Whether you’re just starting solids or looking to make family mealtimes smoother, this episode is full of reassuring, evidence-based advice to help you feel empowered and inspired in the kitchen.

#TheBabyPlaybookPodcast #StartingSolids #BabyNutrition #CatDeanNutrition #NutrientDenseFoods #BabyLedWeaning #FeedingTips #HealthyBabies #StressFreeMealtimes #NewParentSupport

LINKS:

Follow Cat Dean Here: https://www.instagram.com/little.vegan.eats 

Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en

Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/

Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice 

Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 

Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge

In this episode of The Baby Playbook, we’re joined by sleep expert and experienced midwife Jazz Kostov, who shares practical, compassionate advice on how mums (and dads!) can optimise rest during the newborn phase. We talk about:

• Why sleep looks different in the fourth trimester

• Tips for maximising rest even with broken sleep

• How to tune into your baby's natural rhythms

• The myth of "sleep when the baby sleeps"

• Creating realistic sleep goals for exhausted parents
  

Whether you're in the thick of newborn nights or preparing for what's to come, this episode is full of supportive insight to help you feel more rested – and a little more human – in those early weeks of parenting.

🍼 Because good sleep isn't perfect – it's possible.

#NewbornSleep #MumSleep #PostpartumRest #SleepDeprivedMum #NewParentLife #FourthTrimester #ParentingPodcast #RealParentingTalk

LINKS:

Enter out giveaway here: www.heynikolinak.co

Follow Jazz on Instagram @lets_sleep 

Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en

Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/

Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice 

Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 

Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge

In this episode of The Baby Playbook Podcast, we're joined by baby sleep expert Jazz Kostov to talk all about baby sleep on the go — because life doesn’t stop when you have a baby, and neither should your ability to get out and enjoy it!

Whether it’s a coffee run, a day out with friends, or a family road trip, we dive into practical strategies that help parents support healthy naps and sleep routines even when they're not at home. Jazz shares her top tips for managing naps in the pram, car, or carrier, as well as how to protect your baby’s sleep without becoming housebound.

If you're a new parent who’s nervous about leaving the house for fear of “wrecking the nap,” this episode will give you the confidence and tools to make it work — for both you and your baby.

#TheBabyPlaybookPodcast #BabySleepOnTheGo, #PramNaps

#ParentingTips #NewParentLife #SleepSupportForParents #OnTheGoParenting #MomLife #DadLife

LINKS: 

Enter out giveaway here: www.heynikolinak.co

Follow Jazz on Instagram @lets_sleep 

Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en

Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/

Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice 

Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 

In this episode of The Baby Playbook Podcast, we sit down with experienced childcare and early learning educator Michelle Danguilan to talk about one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of early childhood: the relationship between parents and their child’s carers.

Michelle shares practical advice for building open, respectful communication with your child’s educators, why consistency and trust matter, and how parents can help their little ones feel emotionally safe and secure in a new care environment. From drop-off routines to managing separation anxiety, this conversation is full of helpful tips to support both you and your child through the transition into childcare.

Whether you're preparing for your child’s first day or looking to strengthen an existing relationship with your centre, this episode will give you confidence and clarity on how to work with your child’s educators to create the best possible foundation for learning and care.

#TheBabyPlaybookPodcast #ParentingTips #ChildcareAdvice #ParentEducatorRelationship #EarlyLearning #DaycareTransition #BuildingTrust #EmotionalSafety #PositiveParenting

LINKS:

Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en

Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/

Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice 

Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 

Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge

In this episode, I sit down with author Nicki Esler Gill, the brilliant mind behind My Body, My Rules—a children’s book that introduces the vital concept of consent in an accessible and empowering way. 

We dive into why having conversations about consent early on is so important, how parents and caregivers can approach this topic with young children, and the best moments to start these discussions. 

If you’re looking for practical insights and thoughtful guidance on nurturing respect and boundaries from the very beginning, this episode is for you!

LINKS:

Follow Nicki here: https://www.instagram.com/nickieslergill/

See all the books I love here: https://www.amazon.com.au/shop/heynikolinak/list/1EQ245IXZMLR?ref_=aipsflist 

Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en

Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/

Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice 

Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 

Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge

#ConsentForKids, #MyBodyMyRules, #ParentingTips, #EarlyEducation, #RespectAndBoundaries, and #TheBabyPlaybookPodcast

In this episode of The Baby Playbook Podcast, we're joined by Lauren Perrett, founder of BubbaDesk — a game-changing flexible childcare solution designed with modern parents in mind.

Lauren shares her personal journey that led to creating BubbaDesk and dives into the current landscape of childcare in Australia (and beyond). We explore the urgent need for more flexible childcare options, how the financial burden of care impacts parents’ decisions, and the crucial role employers play in supporting postpartum return-to-work transitions.

Whether you're a parent navigating care, an employer seeking to do better, or someone who wants to push for change, this episode is packed with insights on how to advocate for more adaptable, affordable, and realistic solutions for your family.

LINKS:

Checkout BubbaDesk here: https://bubbadesk.com/ 

Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en

Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/

Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice 

Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 

Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge

#TheBabyPlaybookPodcast #FlexibleChildcare #WorkingParents #PostpartumReturnToWork #BubbaDesk #ChildcareSolutions #WorkLifeBalance #ParentingPodcast #AdvocateForChange #ChildcareCosts #ModernParenting

In this episode of The Baby Playbook, host Nikolina dives into one of the biggest decisions new parents face—choosing the right childcare. 

She shares her top tips and insider tricks for navigating the search, what to look for during visits, and key questions to ask to ensure your little one is in safe, nurturing hands. 

Whether you’re exploring daycare centers, in-home care, or nanny options, Nikolina breaks down everything you need to know to make this important choice with confidence and peace of mind.

#BabyPlaybook #ChildcareTips #FindingChildcare #ParentingAdvice #ChildcareSearch #DaycareTips #ParentingHacks #ChoosingChildcare #NewParents #MomLife #DadLife #ChildcareJourney

LINKS: 

Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en

Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/

Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice 

Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 

Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge

Deciding on a daycare for your little one can feel overwhelming. What are you looking for in a center? What questions should you be asking on a tour? How can I ensure my little one is being looked after?

To ease the anxiety and stress of finding care and transitioning your baby into care, this week we are focusing on daycare. 

Jessica Saad has over 10 years experience working in childcare, so she knows all about the system. 

She shares her tips on how to find a good centre, how to navigate waitlists, what’s the ideal age and amount of days … and everything in between. 

We also discuss the dreaded emotional drop off! 

#ParentingPodcast #ChoosingChildcare #ChildcareOptions #InfantCare #DaycareDecisions #NannyOrDaycare #SafeChildcare #ParentingSupport #WorkingParentLife #PodcastEpisode #ListenAndLearn

LINKS: 

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst: https://amzn.to/4ir2GDe 

Follow Jessica’s Early Learning Centre here: https://www.instagram.com/jessicasearlylearning/?hl=en

Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en

Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/

Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 

Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge

In this episode of The Baby Playbook, we’re joined by Registered Psychologist Rachel Tomlinson to talk about one of the biggest emotional hurdles many parents face—sending their little one to childcare. We dive into the common anxieties parents experience during this transition, and Rachel shares practical advice on how to manage those feelings while confidently choosing the right childcare centre for your family’s unique needs.

But that’s not all—we also explore the crucial topic of body safety. Rachel offers age-appropriate strategies for teaching young children about body autonomy, privacy, and personal boundaries in a way that empowers them and supports healthy development.

Whether you're preparing for your child’s first day at daycare or looking to build a strong foundation for body safety from the start, this conversation is packed with expert insights and compassionate guidance to support your parenting journey.

LINKS:

Connect with Rachel here www.towardwellbeing.com

Instagram: @towardwellbeing 

Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en

Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/

Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice 

Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 

Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge

#TheBabyPlaybook #ParentingPodcast #ChildcareAnxiety #ChildcareTips #ParentingSupport #BodySafety #BodyAutonomy #ToddlersAndPreschoolers #EarlyParenting #ParentingAdvice #RachelTomlinson #ChildPsychologist #FirstDayOfDaycare #ParentingJourney #ConsciousParenting