No sitter? No problem. How a baby-friendly comedy show is tackling parental isolation

Posted on 27 May, 2026

A new stand-up comedy series in Canberra is tackling parental isolation by being ‘infant inclusive’ – and yes, tummy time is encouraged.

Created and produced by local comedian (who you might remember from her solo show Midwife Crisis), Nappies and Comedy is fighting the loneliness parents face one laugh at a time by offering a safe space where having a crying baby doesn’t make you feel like you need to leave the room.

The concept of an event for parents who want to get out of the house but can’t find a sitter was born (pun intended) after Sarah watched her own daughter struggle with the desire to attend a comedy show for some fun, and the worry of her four-month-old baby having a meltdown.

And while Sarah agrees that this is a valid concern – performers don’t want to have their show interrupted, and the paying audience wants to be able to enjoy the event without distractions – she says that it can be incredibly isolating for parents – especially those still breastfeeding.

“I started to realise how much impact that inability to leave home could have on her mental health, especially at a time when she was potentially at risk of post-natal depression or anxiety,” says Sarah.

“As a grandma, I feel so protective of my daughter and her family and seeing her motherhood journey at close quarters has really brought it home what new parents face. I am so pleased that as a comedian I can do a little bit to raise people’s spirits, even if it’s only for an hour.”

Sarah with her grandchild.

Featuring a lineup of comedians who understand the struggles parents are facing firsthand, the attendees will be able to catch Katrin Praseli (who will be performing with a baby only a few weeks old), Caitlin Maggs (a ‘veteran’ mother) and local dads Jeremy Smith and Jeffrey Charles – as well as Sarah herself.

The material is strictly for adults (including swearing and “real talk” about parenting), but the environment is designed with babies in mind, with chaos, noise and tummy time highly encouraged.

Doors open 30 minutes early so mum and dads can meet, share a coffee and cake, and spread out a blanket. The hope is to help parents connect when they need it most.

“Having a baby can be lonely, leading to a feeling of being trapped. In Australia, one in five new mothers and one in 10 new fathers experience postnatal depression, with even higher numbers struggling with social isolation and clinical anxiety,” says Sarah.

“I don’t think that an afternoon out like this will prevent depression, but I know that laughter lowers stress and promotes a sense of social belonging and community.”

The series looks set to be a success – the first show on Saturday 16 May is sold out and tickets are flying out the door for the second show on Saturday 30 May. Sarah plans to make Nappies and Comedy a monthly event, rotating it through the suburbs so it’s accessible to parents across Canberra.

Thrilled about the interest and feedback she’s received so far – including how great it is to have a show in the afternoon – she admits that she had originally wanted to make Midwife Crisis a baby-friendly show but “never got around to it”.

Now, watching her newest baby take its first steps is a cathartic moment – and an important one in supporting parents like her daughter.

“What struck me at our first show is that people wanted to stay and chat after the set. In a way, I feel that is more exciting and important than the parents enjoying the laughs,” says Sarah.

“I think it boils down to helping parents feel like they are part of a caring community…I am really interested in the concept of the “crying cafes”, which are popular in Japan. It would be interesting to see if this were an initiative that would fly in Canberra.”

 Images supplied.