The Baby Playbook

About The Baby Playbook

🎙️ Welcome to The Baby Playbook Podcast – Your Guide to the First 6 Months of Parenthood! 🎙️ This podcast is for new parents navigating the exciting (and challenging) journey of raising babies and newborns. Get expert tips on baby sleep, feeding, developmental milestones, and self-care for parents. Tune in for real-life stories, practical advice, and parenting hacks to help you confidently tackle the first 6 months. Join us as we support each other on this incredible journey! #NewbornParenting #BabySleep #ParentingTips #FirstSixMonths

Publisher

Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Jan 2025

Latest episode

10 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

66 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Aug 2026

   #65 Is Maternity Leave a Setback or a Reset? With Caitlin Bath

   In this episode of The Baby Playbook Podcast, Nikolina sits down with Caitlin Bath, founder and author of She’s Giving Wealth, for a powerful conversation about money, motherhood, and the identity shifts that can come with parental leave. If you’ve ever wondered whether maternity leave is a financial setback, felt guilt about going back to work, or questioned what you really want during this season of life, this episode is for you. Caitlin shares a refreshing way to think about maternity leave as a reset rather than a failure, and explains why traditional money advice often doesn’t account for the reality of unpaid care, career breaks, and the emotional load mothers carry. Together, they unpack practical steps for preparing financially before leave — from building a leave buffer to calculating super shortfalls and having honest household conversations about income, childcare, and future planning. Caitlin also introduces her “return on energy” framework, helping mothers decide what’s truly worth their time, energy, and attention when balancing work, family, and personal fulfillment.This is an empowering, honest, and deeply validating episode for any woman navigating maternity leave, return to work, or the question of what comes next. Topics covered: How to prepare financially for maternity leave Why parental leave can be a reset, not a setback The importance of superannuation during care gaps How to talk to your partner about money and workload Using a “return on energy” lens for work decisions Reclaiming identity beyond productivity and work Tune in for an encouraging conversation about building wealth, protecting your future, and staying connected to yourself through every season of motherhood. In an exclusive for the podcast Caitlin has shared her Maternity Leave Super Calculator with us for FREE: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x4ZV8a7c0oRUu5giyGo0gUpduTAhXJD2/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107594843193970711491&rtpof=true&sd=true Links: Follow Caitlin here: https://shesgivingwealth.com/ Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en) Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/ (https://heynikolinak.co/) Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282) Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge (https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge)

2. 

   3 Aug 2026

   #64 PART 2 How Do You Save, Budget and Be Savvy While On Maternity Leave? With Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon

   Most parents feel the squeeze when it comes to finances during the early years. But what if a few clever strategies could transform the chaos into confidence? Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon, renowned finance expert and author of How to Get Mortgage Free Like Me, shares the secrets to navigating the nursery, baby gear, and financial stress—without breaking the bank. In this eye-opening episode, Nicole reveals how early preparation, smart money habits, and even a tiny savings deposit for your child's future can set you up for long-term success. You'll discover practical tips for budget-friendly baby shopping, secondhand treasure hunting on Facebook Marketplace, and how to avoid unnecessary product traps fueled by targeted marketing. She's also breaking down the hidden costs of maternity leave, superannuation considerations, and how to harness government schemes like co-contribution and spouse contributions to boost your family's financial health—even during the busiest, sleep-deprived days.We delve into the importance of aligning with your partner on financial goals before the baby arrives, plus the critical questions to ask when planning time off work and daycare. Nicole emphasizes the value of emotional well-being, sharing ways to keep your identity, relationships, and sanity intact through this transformational season. Whether you’re expecting your first or your tenth, these insights will help you move through parenthood with confidence, not chaos.Don’t let social media's picture-perfect parenting or extravagant birthday parties pressure you into overspending. Instead, learn how small, consistent investments and thoughtful planning can produce life-changing benefits for your family and your child's future. From savvy gift-giving ideas to effective communication strategies with your partner, this episode offers a blueprint for balancing love, money, and stress—so you can enjoy the precious moments, not the money worries.Tune in for clear, actionable advice that’ll help you build a financial safety net, nurture your family's health, and turn the chaos of parenthood into a season of security and joy. Perfect for new parents, expecting couples, or anyone looking to rewire their financial blueprint during life's most important journey. And as a special gift, Nicole is offering a 40% discount on her book How to Get Mortgage Free Like Me—just use the code Playbook at checkout at nicolesmartmoney.com. Don’t miss this chance to set your family on a path toward financial freedom and peace of mind. #ParentFinance #BabyMoneyTips #SmartParenting #FinancialFreedom #MoneyMindset Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en⁠Subscribe 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

3. 

   20 Jul 2026

   #63 PART 1 How Do You Save, Budget and Be Savvy While Preparing for a Baby? With Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon

   Most parents feel the squeeze when it comes to finances during the early years. But what if a few clever strategies could transform the chaos into confidence? Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon, renowned finance expert and author of How to Get Mortgage Free Like Me, shares the secrets to navigating the nursery, baby gear, and financial stress—without breaking the bank. In this eye-opening episode, Nicole reveals how early preparation, smart money habits, and even a tiny savings deposit for your child's future can set you up for long-term success. You'll discover practical tips for budget-friendly baby shopping, secondhand treasure hunting on Facebook Marketplace, and how to avoid unnecessary product traps fueled by targeted marketing. She's also breaking down the hidden costs of maternity leave, superannuation considerations, and how to harness government schemes like co-contribution and spouse contributions to boost your family's financial health—even during the busiest, sleep-deprived days. We delve into the importance of aligning with your partner on financial goals before the baby arrives, plus the critical questions to ask when planning time off work and daycare. Nicole emphasizes the value of emotional well-being, sharing ways to keep your identity, relationships, and sanity intact through this transformational season. Whether you’re expecting your first or your tenth, these insights will help you move through parenthood with confidence, not chaos. Don’t let social media's picture-perfect parenting or extravagant birthday parties pressure you into overspending. Instead, learn how small, consistent investments and thoughtful planning can produce life-changing benefits for your family and your child's future. From savvy gift-giving ideas to effective communication strategies with your partner, this episode offers a blueprint for balancing love, money, and stress—so you can enjoy the precious moments, not the money worries. Tune in for clear, actionable advice that’ll help you build a financial safety net, nurture your family's health, and turn the chaos of parenthood into a season of security and joy. Perfect for new parents, expecting couples, or anyone looking to rewire their financial blueprint during life's most important journey. And as a special gift, Nicole is offering a 40% discount on her book How to Get Mortgage Free Like Me—just use the code Playbook at checkout at nicolesmartmoney.com. Don’t miss this chance to set your family on a path toward financial freedom and peace of mind. #ParentFinance #BabyMoneyTips #SmartParenting #FinancialFreedom #MoneyMindset Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en) Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/ (https://heynikolinak.co/) Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice (https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice) Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282) Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge (https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge)

Who has been a guest on The Baby Playbook

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ana Robinson
• Miram Boulos
• Dr Kavya Chaganti
• Jenna Nathan
• Tizzie Hall

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

12,063

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 72 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

84

Social presence

97

YouTube

68

Engagement

32

Contact The Baby Playbook

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about The Baby Playbook