The Baby Tribe

Afif EL-Khuffash & Anne Doherty
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

The Baby Tribe podcast is dedicated to providing parents and caregivers with the latest information and expert advice on maternal health and well-being during pregnancy and the postpartum period, in addition to infant health, nutrition, and growth. This podcast covers all the important topics to ensure both you and your little one get off to the best start. The podcast is hosted by the husband and wife duo, Professor Afif El-Khuffash, a neonatologist, paediatrician, and lactation consultant, and Doctor Anne Doherty, an obstetric anesthesiologist with expertise in maternal care. Both Anne and Afif work at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin and together bring over 40 years of combined experience in newborn and maternal health. We share our knowledge and insights on everything from breastfeeding and formula feeding, to introducing solid foods, maternal recovery, and dealing with common health concerns for both mother and baby. We’ll have regular guests to share their expertise and experiences on various topics of interest, and we’ll also hear from real parents sharing their personal experiences and tips for raising healthy and happy families. Whether you're expecting your first child or navigating the postpartum period, this podcast is for you. Tune in each week for valuable information and practical advice to help you and your baby thrive. Please be sure to subscribe to our podcast, and follow us on Instagram! Thanks for joining us, and let’s continue this exciting journey together!

  1. 133: The Freebirth Movement: Choice, Risk and Accountability

    6d ago

    133: The Freebirth Movement: Choice, Risk and Accountability

    In this episode of The Baby Tribe, Afif speaks with Irish Times journalist Ellen Coyne about her reporting on the rise of freebirth in Ireland: giving birth without a midwife, doctor or trained medical professional present. Ellen discusses what led her to investigate the movement, the concerns raised by senior midwives, the lack of clear data around unassisted births, and how online communities can frame freebirth as empowering while failing to fully engage with the risks. After the interview, Afif and Anne debrief the issue from neonatal and obstetric perspectives. They explore why some women may feel drawn away from maternity services, including previous trauma, poor communication, lack of continuity of care and fear of intervention. They also examine the role of social media, doulas, birthkeepers and unregulated advice in shaping decisions during one of the most vulnerable times in a woman’s life. This is not a conversation about shaming women. It is about safety, autonomy, trust and accountability. Birth trauma is real. Consent matters. But real empowerment is not being left alone with risk. It is having accurate information, respectful care and skilled support available when things change. Birth is not a purity test. There is no gold medal for suffering. https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2026/06/06/free-births-in-ireland-concern-grows-for-women-choosing-births-without-medical-help/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    54 min
  2. 132: Bad Science in a Pretty Font - Caesareans, Risk and Birth Misinformation

    Jun 1

    132: Bad Science in a Pretty Font - Caesareans, Risk and Birth Misinformation

    In this episode of The Baby Tribe, Afif and Anne take on one of the most emotionally charged topics in maternity care: caesarean birth. Online birth content often presents two true statements side by side: caesareans carry more risk than vaginal birth, and caesarean rates are rising. The implied conclusion is often that unnecessary caesareans are harming women. But is that a fair interpretation of the evidence? Afif and Anne unpack why context matters, especially the concept of confounding by indication: the idea that the reason someone receives an intervention is often linked to the outcome being measured. Using a NICU analogy, they explain why comparing caesarean outcomes with uncomplicated vaginal births can be deeply misleading. They also discuss planned versus emergency caesareans, absolute versus relative risk, the risks of doing nothing, and why both hospital maternity care and private birth care can carry their own biases. The episode includes a breakdown of a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis comparing planned caesarean delivery with planned vaginal delivery in randomized trials. This is not an episode about promoting caesareans or dismissing vaginal birth. It is about evidence, nuance, and helping women recognise the difference between informed consent and fear-based messaging. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min
  3. 131: Alcohol, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: No Shame, No Myths, Just Biology

    May 25

    131: Alcohol, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: No Shame, No Myths, Just Biology

    Alcohol, pregnancy and breastfeeding are surrounded by myths, slogans and a fair amount of internet nonsense. In this episode, Afif and Anne look at what alcohol actually does before conception, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. They discuss paternal alcohol exposure, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, the “sober enough to feed” slogan, pumping and dumping, beer and milk supply, and the misleading comparison between breastmilk and orange juice. No shame, no panic, just biology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    39 min
  4. 130: Vitamin K at Birth: The Tiny Injection Social Media Got Wrong

    May 18

    130: Vitamin K at Birth: The Tiny Injection Social Media Got Wrong

    In this episode, Afif and Anne take a deep dive into vitamin K at birth and the growing wave of misinformation surrounding it online. They explore why newborn babies are naturally low in vitamin K, how clotting works, and what vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) actually is. The discussion covers the differences between intramuscular and oral vitamin K, why the injection remains the most reliable protection, and the devastating consequences VKDB can have, including brain bleeding and death. Along the way, they unpack some of the most common myths circulating on social media, from claims about “toxins” and cancer to misconceptions around breastfeeding and “natural” birth. As always, the episode combines evidence-based medicine with honesty, humour, and practical conversations about how healthcare professionals and parents can navigate fear, risk, and misinformation together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min
  5. 129: When Baby Sleep Advice Becomes Dangerous

    May 12

    129: When Baby Sleep Advice Becomes Dangerous

    In this episode of The Baby Tribe, Afif speaks to BBC journalist Divya Talwar about her investigation into unsafe advice given by some self-described baby sleep experts. Divya explains why the BBC pursued the story, what parents told her, and how exhaustion, social media credibility and gaps in postnatal support can leave families vulnerable to advice that may conflict with safer sleep guidance. After the interview, Afif and Anne debrief the key issues: normal infant sleep, back-to-sleep guidance, clear cot spaces, front sleeping, loose bedding, breathing monitors, reflux and allergy claims, and how parents can judge whether someone offering sleep advice is properly qualified and working within safe boundaries. This episode is not about blaming tired parents. It is about helping families find support that is safe, evidence-based and honest about its limits. BBC Documentary: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce84e1vn1l2o Safe co-sleeping: https://profafif.substack.com/p/co-sleeping-all-you-need-to-know?r=4l3k10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min
  6. 128: Leaking Isn’t Normal: Pelvic Floor Health, Surgery & the Mesh Debate

    May 4

    128: Leaking Isn’t Normal: Pelvic Floor Health, Surgery & the Mesh Debate

    Pelvic floor problems affect a huge number of women, yet many suffer in silence, unsure what’s normal and what isn’t. In this episode, we’re joined by Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and urogynaecology specialist Breffini Anglim O'Regan to break down everything you need to know about pelvic floor health, from prolapse and urinary incontinence to the real impact of pregnancy, childbirth, and ageing. We explore the full range of treatment options, from physiotherapy and pessaries to surgical interventions, including a clear and balanced look at the mesh surgery controversy, what it is, why it was widely used, what went wrong for some women, and why it is still being used in other countries but not in Ireland. We also unpack why leakage is not something women should just “put up with,” the role of vaginal estrogen and why it is often misunderstood, how to know when to seek help, and what questions to ask before considering surgery, with the aim of giving women clear, evidence-based information so they can make informed decisions about their own bodies without fear, stigma, or misinformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min
  7. 127: When Birth Doesn’t Go to Plan: Understanding Postpartum Care

    Apr 27

    127: When Birth Doesn’t Go to Plan: Understanding Postpartum Care

    In this episode of The Baby Tribe, Afif and Anne tackle an important but often overlooked topic: what happens when things don’t go to plan after a baby is born. While most women recover well after delivery, a small number require closer monitoring or escalation of care. Anne, a consultant obstetric anaesthesiologist, explains how maternity teams identify early warning signs, what triggers a move from the postnatal ward to high dependency or intensive care, and what that experience looks like in practice. They break down the differences between ward care, HDU, and ICU, the most common reasons mothers need escalation such as haemorrhage, infection, and preeclampsia, and why early recognition is so important for good outcomes. The episode also explores the emotional impact of unexpected complications, how hospitals support mothers and babies during these situations, and what symptoms should never be ignored after going home. This is an honest, reassuring, and informative conversation designed to give parents a clearer understanding of how maternity care works when it matters most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min
  8. 126: I Thought I’d Be a Mother… Then Life Took a Different Turn

    Apr 20

    126: I Thought I’d Be a Mother… Then Life Took a Different Turn

    We all grow up with a version of how life is supposed to go. Meet someone, settle down, have kids. But what happens when that version doesn’t unfold the way you expected? In this episode, comedian Aideen McQueen joins us for a funny, honest, and deeply personal conversation about identity, addiction, recovery, and coming to terms with not having children. From always imagining herself as a mother to confronting that reality in her 40s, Aideen shares the emotional complexity of grief, acceptance, and finding purpose in unexpected places. This isn’t a story about giving up. It’s a story about redefining what a meaningful life looks like and discovering that care, connection, and fulfilment can exist in many different forms. FInd Aideen and info on all her shows at: https://www.instagram.com/comedymcqueen/ Sponsored by Happytummy.ie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min
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Trailers

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About

The Baby Tribe podcast is dedicated to providing parents and caregivers with the latest information and expert advice on maternal health and well-being during pregnancy and the postpartum period, in addition to infant health, nutrition, and growth. This podcast covers all the important topics to ensure both you and your little one get off to the best start. The podcast is hosted by the husband and wife duo, Professor Afif El-Khuffash, a neonatologist, paediatrician, and lactation consultant, and Doctor Anne Doherty, an obstetric anesthesiologist with expertise in maternal care. Both Anne and Afif work at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin and together bring over 40 years of combined experience in newborn and maternal health. We share our knowledge and insights on everything from breastfeeding and formula feeding, to introducing solid foods, maternal recovery, and dealing with common health concerns for both mother and baby. We’ll have regular guests to share their expertise and experiences on various topics of interest, and we’ll also hear from real parents sharing their personal experiences and tips for raising healthy and happy families. Whether you're expecting your first child or navigating the postpartum period, this podcast is for you. Tune in each week for valuable information and practical advice to help you and your baby thrive. Please be sure to subscribe to our podcast, and follow us on Instagram! Thanks for joining us, and let’s continue this exciting journey together!

Information

  • Creator
    Afif EL-Khuffash & Anne Doherty
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    143
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Baby Tribe
  • Show Website
    The Baby Tribe

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