The Parenting Brief

Bringing a new baby into this world is a lot of work. And while you take care of your little one, your own health is just as important. Knowing the warning signs for postpartum health complications can help you take care of your physical and mental health as you enter this new stage of life.  Heidi Christensen, the Maternal Health Innovation Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Serv...

It’s back to school time in Arizona! If you have children in preschool or kindergarten, one of the many things you’ll get information about is hearing and vision screenings. The free sensory screenings will help alert you to issues and prepare a healthcare and education plan to help your child succeed.  Ashley Neves, Sensory Screening Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services, j...

Do you know the signs of autism? Early intervention for children with autism is important to a child’s developmental growth and wellbeing. Catching those signs early could help a child get the individualized care needed to develop properly. Christopher Smith, Ph. D. chief science officer at the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to explain the importan...

For pregnant moms, feeling those first kicks, flutters, and movements of your baby can be an exciting pregnancy milestone! Those movements also are key indicators of your baby’s health. Abnormal patterns of movement can signal a health risk, so counting the kicks of your baby can help you understand what’s normal and when to be concerned. Emily Price, executive director of Healthy Birth Day Inc.,...

Tummy time is the best exercise for growing babies. It helps them develop important motor skills and build up muscle strength so they can progress to rolling, crawling, and walking. But exercise isn’t always fun, and an upset baby can make tummy time a difficult activity. On this episode, we offer tips to make tummy time fun for your little one. Rebecca Parlakian, Senior Director of Programs at ZE...

You’ve heard of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. But what about the 4th trimester? In the weeks following the birth of your baby, both you and your newborn will undergo major emotional and physical changes. And the sudden drop off in care, check-ups, and monitoring might leave you feeling overwhelmed, unsure, and even lonely. To help you know what to expect during the 4th trimester,...

Are you and your baby prepared for the hot summer months? Toddlers and babies have a hard time regulating their body temperature, and that puts them at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. But don’t worry, we’ll tell you about the warning signs and how to keep your little ones cool, comfortable, and safe. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Matt Roach, Epidemiology Program Manager for the...

Summertime is here! As we get ready for some fun in the sun with our kiddos, avoiding painful sunburns is top of mind. Babies and toddlers have delicate skin that puts them at a higher risk of skin damage from the sun’s powerful UV rays. But staring at the endless shelves of sunblock options can be overwhelming! To help you prepare your children for outdoor adventures, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzale...

As our babies and toddlers begin to explore their surroundings, they’ll put anything into their mouths. Many accessories, old furniture, and other objects could contain traces of lead, making it crucial that families protect their little ones against lead exposure.  On this episode, learn what household objects to keep out of reach from your children and how to identify the symptoms of lead poison...

As parents, we want nothing more than to have well-behaved children. But teaching kids right from wrong isn’t simple. When they throw a tantrum, do we put them in time out? Or do we just walk away?  To share best practices for discipline, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Dr. Randy Ahn, Implementation Consultant at the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P). Do you have a child that whines o...

Sitting your toddler down in front of the TV is a go-to solution for busy parents. It can keep your child entertained while you tackle your endless to-do list. But managing screen time, including how much and what your child is watching, presents another challenge. Is there such a thing as too much TV? Also, what programs and apps are available to help them grow and learn? Dr. Michael Robb, Senior...

Introducing table foods into your baby’s diet can raise many questions for parents. How will you know your baby is ready to transition to solid foods? And how do you monitor for potential allergies? Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by nutrition expert Alan Brown, the Women, Infant, and Children program’s training manager at the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity within Arizona’s Depa...

When it comes to your baby’s health, being proactive is key! That’s why newborn screenings are so important for identifying serious medical conditions early on. But what specific conditions are doctors looking for during newborn screenings? And what should first-time moms expect? Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzales takes her audience through the newborn screening process step by step with Fran Altmaier,...

Let’s talk about talking! Speaking with your baby is key to fostering early literacy and language development.  But for many parents, it might feel awkward or unnatural to talk to your baby.  On this episode, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Kat Willard, Senior Director of Family Support and Literacy at First Things First, who shares creative ways to have intentional conversations with y...

For both moms and babies, sleep is important! But putting your newborn to sleep can be challenging for new and experienced parents alike.  On this episode, pro mom and host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez covers tips and tricks for implementing the ABCs of safe sleep with Yomaira Diaz Castillo, Injury Prevention Manager at the Arizona Department of Health.  Learn how you and your baby can comfortably and...

Being a mom is tough, fun, and important. For many women, motherhood is also their favorite job! On this first episode of The Parenting Brief , host, expert, and mom Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez gets some good advice for breastfeeding moms from Anne Whitmire, WIC Breastfeeding and Training Administrator at the Arizona Department of Health Services. The Parenting Brief is delivered fresh and free to yo...