MomDocTalk with Kristen Cook, MD

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, host Dr. Kristen Cook addresses parental concerns about children's use of electronic devices. She reviews the American Academy of Pediatrics’ screen time guidelines, discusses the importance of content quality, and offers practical tips for setting boundaries and fostering healthy digital habits. Kristen also covers legal aspects of social medi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, host Kristen shares expert advice on keeping children safe during summer heat waves. She explains how kids' bodies handle heat, highlights signs of heat-related illnesses, and offers practical prevention tips—like staying hydrated, seeking shade, and practicing sun safety. Kristen also covers indoor safety measures and stresses the importance o...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, host Kristen discusses the rise of “Sephora kids”, pre-teens obsessed with luxury skincare, influenced by social media. Kristen explains the risks of adult products for young skin, outlines age-appropriate routines, and highlights the impact of marketing and peer pressure. She offers guidance for parents on setting boundaries, understanding skincare...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen discusses how families can enjoy a safe, happy, and healthy 4th of July. She shares the holiday’s history, highlights the dangers and legal issues of fireworks, and offers age-appropriate safety tips for children. Kristen suggests fun alternatives to fireworks for sensitive kids and pets, and covers other holiday risks like heat, grilling, a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, host Kristen discusses the importance of raising financially literate children. She shares practical strategies for teaching kids about money at every age, from toddlers to teenagers, including hands-on play, budgeting, and real-life money management. Kristen reassures parents that even those with financial struggles can empower their children with...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, host Kristen explores how parents can nurture good sportsmanship in children, both in sports and everyday life. Kristen discusses the importance of modeling positive behavior, understanding children’s developmental stages, and teaching emotional regulation, empathy, and teamwork. She offers practical strategies for parents to reinforce respect, effo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "MomDoc Talk with Dr. Kristen Cook," Kristen, a pediatrician and parenting expert, discusses how to choose the right daycare or school for children, especially those with chronic medical conditions. She offers practical advice on evaluating daycare facilities, including assessing cleanliness, staff interaction, and parent communication. Kristen also em...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "MomDoc Talk," Kristen Cook, a pediatrician and parenting expert, explores the challenges of raising children with chronic medical conditions. Sharing her personal experience with her daughter Savannah, who has cyclic vomiting syndrome, Kristen discusses the prevalence of such conditions, including asthma, ADHD, and diabetes. She emphasizes the importa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "MomDoc Talk," Kristen, a pediatrician and mother of two, discusses crucial summer safety tips for children of all ages. She covers sunscreen use, water safety, heat risks, bug spray, safe sleeping environments, driving safety for teens, and the dangers of fireworks. Kristen emphasizes the importance of keeping children safe without causing undue stres...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen discusses the topic of lying in children with pediatrician and parenting expert Dr. Kristen Cook. Dr. Cook explains why children lie, how parents can respond without damaging trust, and strategies to reduce lying. She breaks down the developmental stages of lying from toddlers to teenagers, emphasizing the importance of modeling honesty and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Mom Doc Talk," Kristen discusses mental health disorders in children, focusing on anxiety, major depressive disorder, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD). She emphasizes the prevalence of these issues, the importance of recognizing symptoms, and the diagnostic process. Kristen also explores treatment options, including therapy and medica...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Mom Doc Talk," Dr. Kristen Cook, a pediatrician and mother, explores the challenges and misconceptions surrounding breastfeeding. She addresses the unrealistic expectation that breastfeeding is easy, shares experiences of mothers facing difficulties, and emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals. Dr. Cook discusses breastfeeding guidelines,...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast episode, Dr. Cook addresses the myth of perfect parenting, emphasizing that mistakes are inevitable and part of the learning process. They share personal experiences, including a story about a feeding mishap with their infant, to illustrate the guilt and shame parents often feel. The speaker encourages parents to embrace their imperfections and use mistakes as grow...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, host Kristen Cook, a pediatrician and parenting expert, delves into maternal mental health, particularly postpartum depression and anxiety. Kristen provides a historical overview, highlighting the stigma and challenges mothers have faced. She differentiates between "baby blues" and more severe postpartum conditions, emphasizing the importa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "MomDoc Talk," Kristen Cook, a pediatrician and parenting expert, addresses common feelings of guilt that mothers experience. She discusses five specific guilt trips: not breastfeeding or stopping early, using a pacifier after age two, public meltdowns, not wanting to volunteer at school, and not being excited about after-school activities. Kristen emp...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen discusses Earth Day with a focus on its history, significance, and how parents can raise environmentally conscious children. She highlights the origins of Earth Day in 1970, initiated by Senator Gaylord Nelson, and its evolution into a global movement. Kristen emphasizes the importance of understanding our environmental impact and modeling s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Mom Doc Talk," host Kristen Cook, a general pediatrician, focuses on Autism Awareness Month. Kristen discusses autism spectrum disorder (ASD), covering its definition, history, early warning signs, diagnostic process, and treatment approaches. She emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary team for diagnosis and the crucial role of parents in ad...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen Cook explores the vital role of emotional intelligence in parenting. She underscores the importance of understanding and expressing emotions, both for adults and children. Kristen shares insights on validating emotions, modeling healthy emotional expression, and fostering open discussions about feelings. She highlights the significance of cr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Mom Doc Talk," Kristen Cook offers essential guidance for families preparing for spring break. She emphasizes the importance of planning ahead, discussing safety tips for both family trips and teens traveling independently. Key topics include booking accommodations, sharing itineraries, maintaining communication, and ensuring vehicle safety. For inter...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, hosted by Kristen Cook, a pediatrician addresses common myths about vaccines, providing scientifically accurate information. The speaker emphasizes the importance of vaccines in preventing diseases, the rigorous testing they undergo, and the concept of herd immunity. The discussion covers the historical development of vaccines, ethical consideration...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, host Kristen Cook, a pediatrician with over a decade of experience and a parent herself, delves into the critical role of sleep in parenting. Kristen discusses the common struggles parents face with their children's sleep patterns and the impact of sleep deprivation on family life. She provides valuable insights and practical strategies to help...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen discusses the critical role of effective praise in parenting. She emphasizes how specific, immediate, genuine, realistic, and effort-focused praise can motivate children, reinforce positive behaviors, and reduce unwanted actions. Kristen warns against the negative effects of empty or excessive praise, which can harm self-esteem and create en...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen discusses temper tantrums with a parent and pediatrician. The speaker shares a personal story about their son Mason's significant tantrum during a family vacation, which sparked their interest in child development. They explain that tantrums are natural responses to overwhelming emotions and provide strategies for managing them, such as...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen delves into the concept of attachment in early childhood development. She shares personal anecdotes about her daughter to illustrate how infants and toddlers exhibit attachment behaviors towards their primary caregivers. Kristen emphasizes that attachment is a biologically driven process essential for a child's survival and development,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of MomDoc Talk, Kristen delves into the nuances of navigating Valentine's Day with children. The discussion covers the holiday's history, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, kindness, and addressing the emotional aspects for kids and teenagers. Kristen offers practical advice for parents on supporting their children through various stages of relation...