5 Podcasts Worth a Listen For New Parents

When you've got a new baby in your arms for most of the day, reading a book or newspaper is out of the question. Scrolling on your phone can be distracting, and the TV can be sensory overload for your little bundle. Enter the podcast — a form of information, entertainment, and education that may as well have been invented for new parents. Just pop your ear buds in and enlighten yourself, hands-free.

While the idea of tuning into some escapist content may also be appealing, we've rounded up five (really great) parenting-focused podcasts just right for new parents. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll learn. Check them out, and remember, the "pause" button is always there for you when tantrums or diapering emergencies take precedence.

Produced by Slate, this one's become a bit of a cult classic, and for good reason. Sit back and enjoy while the trio of hilarious hosts weigh in on of all stages of their parenting journeys with a nod to current events and what's happening around the world. It's entertaining, informative, and offers up plenty of food for thought.

You've got questions, Dr. Mike's got answers. Since 2006, the Ohio-based pediatrician has answered listeners' questions and covered children's health topics ranging from breastfeeding to constipation. He tackles topics relevant to parents of older children and teens, too, so this is one that you can commit to for the long haul. There's a user-friendly search feature, so if you're looking for input on a specific issue, it's easy to find. Of course, you should always speak to your pediatrician regarding your child's specific issues.

This NPR-produced podcast features experts on a wide range of parenting topics, with an eye to science. Some episodes will be relevant to the here and now, some will be relevant for new parents in the future, and some are simply thought-provoking. New moms should consider starting with the August 5 episode on "Matrescence": the process of becoming a mother.

For approachable, good-humored conversation of the "I feel SEEN!" variety, tune into Meagan Francis and Sarah Powers' podcast on all things motherhood. They've covered everything from their own personal birth stories to celebrating kids' birthdays, pandemic parenting, and much, much more since the show started in 2015. If there's a topic you're after, search the online archives — with six years of content, you're likely to find what you're looking for!

This one's all about the work-life balance: how to manage your career, family, and sanity. Hosted by two moms, Laura Vanderkam, author of I Know How She Does It, and Sarah Hart-Unger, a practicing physician and blogger, the podcast also regularly invites expert guests. It's a great listen for anyone gearing up to return to work, considering a career switch, or just looking for strategies for managing the day-to-day.