The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom

VOTE! The PedsDocTalk Podcast has been nominated for a People's Choice Signal Award - Family and Child Rearing. Vote now through October 15th. How do we raise expressive children with a voice while still holding firm and loving boundaries? Dr. Mona and Dr. Siggie Cohen explore the balance in this Follow-Up episode. They break down common parenting traps (over-explaining, negotiating, and over-prai...

⁠VOTE! The PedsDocTalk Podcast has been nominated for a People's Choice Signal Award - Family and Child Rearing. Vote now through October 15th. I’m joined by Laura Petix, pediatric occupational therapist and the founder of The OT Butterfly, to unpack your child’s sensory processing differences. Behaviors like meltdowns, crashing, restlessness or selective eating often stem from their unique “senso...

You don't need 11 children to learn a valuable lesson or two from a parent who does! In this Follow-Up, Dr. Mona sits down with Moshe Popack to discuss what raising a large family has taught him about parenting and managing relationships. They discuss letting go of perfectionism, adapting to the child that is in front of you and maintaining a balance as both a parent and partner. Want more? Listen...

Today I sat down to talk about something I think about a lot…the crunchy mom movement. Why are so many families walking away from traditional healthcare unheard? Caitlyn Shollmeier, a certified nurse midwife and founder of Lila Maternity, joins me to dig into why this is not really about essential oils or cloth diapers. When women do not feel like a person in the room any more they lose trust and...

In this Follow-Up episode, Dr. Mona revisits the conversation about the role culture plays in sleep practices for our kids. Joined by certified sleep consultant Diana Martins, the episode shows parents how to navigate cross-cultural and cross-generational expectations - like dark rooms, early bedtimes and crying it out - while staying true to their own parenting choices and maintaining boundaries...

Motherhood is often shown as something women should handle effortlessly while we are expected to also lose ourselves in total self-sacrifice. Today, I sit down with digital creator, speaker and author Libby Ward to discuss what happens when we stop pretending and start getting real about raising kids. Libby shares her own journey of burnout after being pressured to “do it all”. We break down why b...

Dr. Mona speaks with Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, mother, and US Senate candidate in South Carolina, about the vital connection between child health, parenting, and national politics. They explore why healthcare issues cannot be separated from political action and why pediatricians and parents need to build real political power to protect children. Key Takeaways Children Lack Political Power...

In this eye-opening and deeply needed episode, I sat down with Clayton Cranford—a 20-year law enforcement veteran, former school resource officer, crisis negotiator, national award winner, and founder of Cyber Safety Cop. Drawing from decades of experience at the intersection of youth culture, law enforcement, and online safety, Clay offers a clear-eyed look at the real-world impact smartphones an...

Dr. Mona sits down with IBCLC Melissa Mancini (known as @more_then_milk on Instagram) to explore the physical and emotional aspects of weaning, emphasizing that weaning is a deeply personal choice rather than a strict timeline or milestone. Key Takeaways A Personal Decision: Weaning is based on when you and your child are ready—not on societal pressure or arbitrary age milestones. Gradual Reductio...

In this insightful and encouraging episode, I had the honor of sitting down with board-certified pediatrician, mom of three, and founder of Ahimsa, Dr. Manasa Mantravadi. Trained in pediatric endocrinology, Dr. Manasa saw firsthand the dramatic rise of chronic childhood conditions like type 2 diabetes and set out to address the root causes of child health through preventive, culinary medicine. We...

Dr. Mona sits down with cosmetic chemist and science communicator Jen Novakovic, founder of The Eco Well, to debunk common myths surrounding essential oils and explore their true limitations in family care. They dissect the "natural is automatically safer" narrative, address fear-based marketing, and clarify how to approach these products responsibly. Key Takeaways The "Natural" Myth: Natural ingr...

I’m joined by board-certified OB-GYN and mom of three, Dr. Franziska Haydanek. We chat about balancing clinical practice with social media, fighting online medical misinformation, and navigating the unique pressures on physician creators. We also dive deep into the gaps of U.S. pregnancy and postpartum care. Dr. Fran shares essential advice on self-advocacy in the hospital, the warning signs every...

Dr. Mona revisits a conversation with licensed clinical social worker and childhood trauma educator Patrick Teahan. Together, they unpack how parenthood acts as a mirror, exposing hidden triggers and unhealed wounds from our own upbringing. Key Takeaways The Inner Child in Parenting: Unresolved feelings from your family of origin often resurface during everyday interactions with your children, suc...

In this deeply moving episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Serese Marotta, Deputy CEO of Vaccinate Your Family, to discuss the critical importance of protecting our children as we head into respiratory illness seasons. Serese bravely opened up about her own personal tragedy, losing her healthy, five-year-old son, Joseph to H1N1 influence.  Hearing Serese’s story is a powerful reminde...

In this Follow-Up episode, Dr. Mona draws on her own past experiences with burnout and mental health struggles to offer practical tools for turning around overwhelming, negative days. Acknowledging that bad days are bound to happen, she shares how to break out of a negative spiral, regulate your nervous system, and reset your mindset before a tough day ends—or grant yourself permission to call it...

Have you ever stood in the fresh produce aisle, looking at the price tags, and felt a wave of frustration because eating "real food" feels like a financial punishment? Families are being bombarded with constant advice to eat better and healthier, but how are they supposed to keep up when national nutrition programs and rising grocery costs are moving in completely opposite directions? In this epis...

Today I'm revisiting a favorite conversation with board-certified psychiatrist and bestselling author Dr. Pooja Lakshmin. We look at the difference between "faux self-care" and "real-self care" and how boundaries and self compassion are part of the internal process. If you feel like you're drowning under the mental load of parenting this episode offers a dose of clarity and empowerment. It's an ey...

Have you ever found yourself staring at a brightly colored gummy bottle in the pharmacy aisle, hoping a quick supplement fix will finally give you a full night of uninterrupted sleep? The promise of an easy solution is incredibly tempting, but what if these trendy sleep hacks are actually masking deeper behavioral shifts your child really needs? In this episode, I connect with pediatrician and sle...

In this episode of the PedsDocTalk podcast follow-up, Dr. Mona sits down with Amy Palanjian, founder of Yummy Toddler Food. Together, they break down how to take the stress, guilt, and mental load out of feeding your kids. If dinner prep feels overwhelming or your toddler suddenly stopped eating their favorite foods, this quick dose of real, relatable parenting advice is for you! Letting Go of Mea...

Have you ever entered a medical environment feeling like your voice was completely secondary to the fast-moving machines and rigid hospital policies around you? It is a vulnerable position that leaves far too many birthing parents carrying psychological scars, but what if knowing the right language ahead of time is the ultimate shield against a traumatic birth? In this episode, I sit down with boa...

In this "Follow-Up" episode of the PedsDocTalk Podcast, Dr. Mona catches up with pediatric occupational therapist Jessica Irwin (Rooted in Routine) to discuss how simple daily rhythms create predictability, lower stress, and reduce decision fatigue for both parents and kids. They break down why routines focus on the order of steps rather than rigid clock-watching, how to build healthy habits early...

Have you ever felt the crushing weight of looking at your monthly bank statement and realizing your childcare bill costs more than your housing? It is a staggering reality facing modern families, but why is a system so crucial to our society treated like a personal luxury instead of essential infrastructure? In this episode, I sit down with working mom and leading childcare advocate Paige Connell...

In this "Follow-Up" mini-episode, Dr. Mona revisits the topic of starting solids and baby-led weaning with guest Jenna Helwig—Food Director at Real Simple magazine and author of Baby-Led Feeding (paid link). Together, they bust common feeding myths, share simple meal prep hacks, and discuss how to take the guilt and pressure out of feeding your baby. Whether you're team puree, team baby-led weanin...

Have you ever felt the urge to yell or hand out a punishment during a chaotic grocery store meltdown? It is a moment meant to stop the behavior fast, but what if it is actually turning off the exact part of your child’s brain that learns lessons? In this episode, I sit down with parenting author Jon Fogel to dismantle the massive misconceptions around discipline and childhood tantrums. Jon shares...

In this episode, Dr. Mona and special education lawyer Amanda Selogie dive into the critical role of early intervention in childhood development. They break down the realities families face today, including navigating insurance, dealing with staff shortages, and facing lengthy evaluation waitlists. They emphasize how accessing developmental support early lays the foundation for inclusive education...