The Driving Development Podcast

Is There a World Where We Do This Differently? Flat Heads, Baby Helmets & Early Intervention | With Jennifer Barnard of Baby Begin What if we could change the way we approach flat heads in babies? What if, instead of waiting until a baby needs a helmet, we could identify concerns earlier, give families more options, and potentially prevent some of those helmets altogether? I s there a world wh...

Two Pediatric PTs, Zero Hills Worth Dying On **Featuring Meg Powers, PT, DPT, IBCLC** Two pediatric physical therapists. Plenty of opinions. Absolutely zero hills worth dying on. Meg Powers is back on Driving Development, and we're tackling everything from fear-mongering in pediatric healthcare to developmental milestones, infant reflux, food allergies, and the importance of being willing to chang...

Dr. Jena sits down with Philadelphia-area physical therapist and lactation consultant Meg Powers for a nuanced conversation about baby monitors, feeding trackers, milestone apps, and the growing pressure to optimize every stage of parenting. They explore when data can be genuinely reassuring, when it can fuel anxiety, and why trusted professional support and parental intuition still matter. In thi...

Understanding Plagiocephaly, Physical Therapy, Helmets, and Conflicting Recommendations Content type Interview Primary goal Educational Summary Jena Schultz shares her personal experience with her child's head injury and explores the complexities of diagnosing and treating flat head conditions like plagiocephaly. This episode emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making and understanding...

Do babies really need all the products marketed to parents? In this episode of Driving Development, pediatric physical therapist Dr. Jena Schultz reviews five popular children's products she wishes didn't exist—not because they're trendy, but because the evidence raises questions about their safety, effectiveness, or developmental benefits. From baby walkers and doorway jumpers to head-shaping pil...

Is Tummy Time Overrated? Tummy time has become one of the biggest buzzwords in baby development—but has the hype gone too far? In this episode of Driving Development, pediatric physical therapist and mom of two Dr. Jena Schultz explores where tummy time recommendations came from, what the research actually says, and why many parents feel like they're failing if their baby hates it. Spoiler: tummy...

In the debut episode of the Driving Development Podcast, Jena introduces herself, shares a memorable parenting mishap involving a pool, stitches, and some questionable navigation skills, and explains why she created the podcast. She dives into the challenges modern parents face in an era of endless information, social media advice, and overwhelming expectations. Jena discusses the importance of ev...