MomDocTalk with Kristen Cook, MD

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and mom of two, explores sibling rivalry. She reassures parents that conflict between siblings is normal and developmentally appropriate, dispels common myths, and explains why rivalry happens even in loving families. Kristen discusses how sibling dynamics evolve with age and offers practical strategies for managing conflicts...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen discusses the often-overlooked challenges of dividing parenting duties. She explains how the mental load and invisible responsibilities can lead to resentment and burnout, emphasizing that true partnership means shared ownership—not just “helping.” Kristen offers practical strategies for two-parent households, co-parents, and stepparents to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen discusses the pressures parents face around New Year’s resolutions. She explores why traditional resolutions often fail parents, highlighting the unrealistic expectations and societal pressures that fuel guilt and shame. Kristen encourages listeners to abandon perfectionism and instead set realistic, compassionate goals using the SMART frame...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and parenting expert, explores the emotional and practical challenges parents face during the Christmas season, especially when older children stop believing in Santa while younger siblings still do. She offers compassionate advice on handling children’s questions, involving older kids in preserving holiday magic, and coping...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a respected pediatrician and trusted parenting advisor, dives deep into Mildred Parten’s six stages of play, revealing how each stage shapes a child’s social and emotional growth. Drawing insightful connections to Piaget’s cognitive theory, Kristen brings these concepts to life with relatable, real-world examples that every parent...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, host Kristen Cook explores the challenges and importance of co-parenting after a romantic relationship ends. Drawing on personal stories and professional experience, Kristen highlights the need to prioritize children’s well-being, maintain consistency between households, and communicate respectfully with co-parents. She offers practical strategies f...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and mom, explores the crucial difference between punishment and discipline in parenting. She explains why punishment is reactive and shame-based, while discipline is intentional, focused on teaching, and helps children develop self-control and responsibility. Kristen offers practical strategies, including natural and logical...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and mother, addresses eating disorders—anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Drawing from her personal experience, she explains their signs, symptoms, and serious health impacts. Kristen emphasizes early recognition, compassionate support, and the importance of a multidisciplinary treatment team. She o...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen discusses the challenges parents face during family holiday gatherings, such as unsolicited advice, criticism, and boundary-pushing relatives. She shares practical strategies for handling difficult family dynamics, protecting children’s emotional well-being, setting boundaries, and maintaining peace and sanity. Through relatable anecdotes an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, host and pediatrician Kristen Cook explores ADHD in children. She explains how to recognize ADHD symptoms, the importance of thorough medical evaluation, and evidence-based treatment options, including medication and behavioral strategies. Kristen also discusses how schools can support children with ADHD through IEPs and 504 plans, and debunks commo...

Send us Fan Mail In this special 50th episode of Mom Doc Talk, host Kristen celebrates reaching this podcast milestone and shares the journey behind her upcoming book, Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child’s Behavior to Help Them Thrive. Kristen discusses the challenges of writing and publishing, the importance of perseverance, and her hopes for the book’s impact o...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and mom of two, shares practical Halloween safety tips for families. She covers costume and candy advice, supervision strategies, and age-appropriate guidelines for toddlers, school-aged kids, and teens. Kristen also addresses how to support children with sensory sensitivities or developmental differences. Her goal is to help...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and parenting advocate, highlights the importance of children’s dental health for October’s Dental Hygiene Month. She debunks myths about baby teeth and fluoride, explains their crucial roles in nutrition, speech, and self-esteem, and offers practical tips for brushing, flossing, and dental visits. Kristen also addresses thum...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Mom Doc Talk, Kristen discusses breast health in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She covers breast development from infancy through adulthood, normal changes, and common concerns. Kristen explains breast cancer screening guidelines, genetic risks like BRCA mutations, and preventive options such as prophylactic mastectomy. She also offers advice on talkin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and parenting expert, opens up about her personal experience with miscarriage in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. She explains the medical facts behind miscarriage and stillbirth, addresses the emotional impact and societal stigma, and offers compassionate advice for grieving parents. Kristen emphasizes the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and parenting advisor, explains how to recognize and manage common childhood illnesses during fall and winter, including colds, flu, bronchiolitis, croup, and strep throat. She discusses symptoms, evidence-based treatments, when to seek medical care, and why unnecessary tests and antibiotics should be avoided. Kristen emphasi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and mother, discusses how medical advice for parents has evolved as new scientific evidence emerges. She debunks outdated practices related to pregnancy, infant care, childhood illness, diet, and antibiotics, emphasizing the importance of relying on current research. Kristen encourages parents to show understanding toward hea...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen discusses vitamins and supplements for children, addressing parents’ common concerns about safety, effectiveness, and marketing claims. She explains the lack of regulation in the supplement industry, the misleading nature of terms like “all natural,” and the limited evidence behind many products, including homeopathy and popular supplements...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen discusses why children cry at every stage, from infancy to the teen years. She explains that crying is a natural way for kids to communicate unmet needs—not manipulation. Kristen offers practical advice on responding with empathy, calmness, and healthy boundaries, and highlights when crying may signal deeper mental health concerns. She encou...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen discusses why frequent childhood illnesses are a normal part of immune system development. She explains common illnesses like colds, flu, strep throat, ear infections, and viral gastroenteritis, and offers practical advice on symptom management, safe medication use, and when to seek urgent care. Kristen also shares tips on fever management a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and parenting expert, debunks the myth of work-life balance for parents. She shares her own experiences and emphasizes that true balance is unattainable, advocating instead for flexibility and a “sliding scale” approach to managing work, family, and personal needs. Kristen offers practical strategies to reduce guilt, set prio...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and parenting expert, addresses what parents can do when they dislike their child’s friends. She offers age-specific strategies for preschoolers through teenagers, focusing on teaching kids to recognize healthy friendships, set boundaries, and handle peer pressure. Kristen also discusses how to support teens in romantic relat...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen addresses the common challenge of not liking your child’s teacher. She shares personal experiences and offers practical, science-based advice on keeping an open mind, communicating respectfully with teachers, and supporting your child emotionally. Kristen emphasizes avoiding negative talk in front of kids, documenting concerns, and involving...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen discusses how parents can help children build a healthy body image. She explains the difference between body image and self-esteem, explores shifting beauty standards, and shares her personal journey with body acceptance. Kristen offers practical advice for parents on modeling positive self-talk, teaching kids to question societal ideals, an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen, a pediatrician and mom, explores how parents can talk to their children about food, health, and weight without causing shame or harm. She explains the flaws of BMI, the complexity of metabolism, and the dangers of diet culture. Kristen offers practical tips for handling picky eating, avoiding food as a reward, and fostering a positive, sham...