The Baby Manual

Bringing home a new baby comes with so many questions, and feeding is often at the top of the list. In this solo episode, Dr. Carole Keim walks parents through the basics of newborn feeding with a reassuring message: fed is best. She explains what to expect during the first days of life, including how small a newborn’s stomach really is, how breastfeeding develops over time, and why feeding can fe...

Dr. Carole Keim takes listeners through one of the earliest and most important decisions in pregnancy: choosing the right support team. In this solo episode, she explains the differences between obstetricians, certified nurse midwives, and doulas, helping parents understand the unique role each plays during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery. Dr. Keim also walks through the typica...

Dr. Carole Keim sits down with neurologist and Mama Bird founder Dr. Mika Gupta for an insightful conversation about baby brain development and the critical role nutrition plays from preconception through early childhood. As both a physician and a mom, Dr. Gupta draws on personal experience and explains the concept of the “first 1,000 days”. She explains why this window is so important for buildin...

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Dr. David Tusek, board-certified Family Physician and Founder of Cloud Medical, to the show to discuss early childhood development and the good habits that set children up for life. Dr. Tusek identifies the five pillars of health and discusses personalized and preventive childhood medicine with Dr. Keim. The conversation explores modern habits and their impact on children,...

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes pediatric cardiologist Dr. Tal Gospin, MD, to The Baby Manual to talk about what pediatric cardiology is and how it differs from adult cardiology. Dr. Gospin explains how much of pediatric cardiology is concerned with congenital heart disease, abnormalities people are born with. She watches for the shape of an infant’s heart and the sounds it makes, even in utero, and disc...

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes pediatric neurologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Rochester, Dr. Justin Rosati, MD, to the show to talk about pediatric neurology. They explore what he sees in children as a pediatric neurologist and what parents can look for.  Dr. Keim and Dr. Rosati discuss febrile seizures, developmental delays, epilepsy, infantile spasms,...

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatric Rheumatology Dr. Cristina Saez, MD, to The Baby Manual to discuss what rheumatology is and how pediatric rheumatology works. She studies and has training in autoimmune diseases, specifically ones affecting bones, muscles, joints, or multiple organ systems,  in children.  Dr. Saez tells Dr. Keim that though she sees children for dif...

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes neonatologist and chair of pediatrics at Tufts Medical Center, Dr. Geoff Binney, MD, MPH, to The Baby Manual for a conversation about what expectant parents should know regarding newborn care and the NICU, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Drs. Keim and Binney discuss the age of viability for premature babies, advances in neonatology such as surfactant therapy for Respirat...

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes pediatric dentist Dr. Ian Kott, DDS, to The Baby Manual to talk about children’s oral hygiene, everything from brushing teeth to weaning kids off pacifiers. Dr. Kott explains when a child’s first dental visit should happen and what to expect from it, and gives tips on how to start brushing children’s teeth as soon as the teeth appear. Dr. Keim and Dr. Kott discuss cavity p...

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes pediatric dermatologist Dr. Teresa Wright, MD, to the podcast to talk about baby skin care, birthmarks, eczema, and anything to watch out for with a baby’s skin that could potentially be dangerous. Dr. Wright works at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and is also faculty at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. She shares her journey into pediatric...

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Dr. Jason Bronstein, a pediatric pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, to The Baby Manual. Dr. Bronstein shares his journey from general pediatrics to specializing in childhood asthma, sleep apnea in children, and other pediatric breathing issues. He explains the types of cases referred to a pulmonologist, such as persistent...

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Dr. David Tegay, DO, to The Baby Manual to talk about genetics, the different types of testing and screening involved in genetics, and how it’s a key part of pediatric medicine. Dr. Tegay was in residency when he encountered a patient who required a consult from a clinical geneticist from Mount Sinai, and the experience fascinated him so much that he moved from his interna...

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Dr. Lauren Kanner, MD, to The Baby Manual to discuss the wide-ranging field of pediatric endocrinology. Dr. Kanner is the Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, and she shares how she got into the specialty before discussing the conditions she treats. She offers information and insights into thyroid disorders...

Dr. Carole Keim talks with Dr. Victoria Martin, MD, MPH, a gastroenterologist, a specialist who focuses on everything related to the stomach and intestines in babies. Dr. Martin trained in pediatrics and became interested in what happens in baby intestines, especially early on, during training. She talks with Dr. Keim about things like blood in a baby’s stool, protein allergies, signs of food alle...

Dr. Carole Keim discusses baby apps and electronics in this episode, exploring what is helpful and what isn’t necessary. Dr. Keim says that not much is really needed in terms of electronics for babies. The things she recommends include baby trackers, baby monitors, white noise machines, Kindle for mom, and aromatherapy diffusers to aid with sleep. She details what each app or electronic item does...

Dr. Carole Keim talks all about teething and feeding needs for babies in this episode. Teething usually happens at around six months of age, but teeth can appear any time in the first 0 to 18 months of life. Dr. Keim shares all the best teething information to prepare new parents. She goes through everything from what to feed babies and when they start eating certain foods to high chairs, covering...

Dr. Carole Keim addresses health and hygiene products in this episode. She details which hygiene items are actually necessary for newborn babies and then explains medications to keep on hand for newborns. She also recommends some medications useful to have for babies over 6 months of age. With each item Dr. Keim offers insight and advice, as well as identifying certain popular products not actuall...

Dr. Carole Keim explores how to travel with your baby in this episode. What is best for going out and about or abroad with your baby? Dr. Keim starts right from the first trip of your baby’s life - going home from the hospital - and covers everything from safely riding in the car, diaper bag supplies, and longer-term travel necessities. There is a lot out there so Dr. Keim carefully narrows down a...

Dr. Carole Keim talks about diapers and potty training your babies and toddlers in this episode. She discusses disposable versus cloth diapers, and the benefits of both in terms of convenience, expense, and sustainability. She shares practical advice on potty training by highlighting which items are most useful in assisting your baby in the transition from diapers to the potty. The best things to...

Dr. Carole Keim talks about breast and bottle feeding and what works to make both types of feeding more comfortable and efficient. She recommends listening to the information on both types of feeding even if one or the other method has already been decided on because babies can have a preference. Pumping is a good option to pursue in addition to breastfeeding so the baby can get used to bottle fee...

Dr. Carole Keim talks about everything moms need in this episode. More specifically, everything that is needed for pregnancy, labor and delivery, the hospital, and post-partum. One of the most common questions asked is what to pack for the hospital. Dr. Keim answers that question, and many more, with insight, advice, and practical suggestions on which brands are the most useful to purchase. Expect...

Dr. Carole Keim talks about baby furniture in today’s episode. She summarizes the furniture needed for your baby as a place for your baby to sleep, a place to set your baby down in each room, some stuff to care for your baby’s everyday needs, stuff for travel, and some babyproofing items. But there are so many things on the market, how can you know what’s useful and what isn’t? That’s what this ep...

Dr. Carole Keim is a pediatrician, mom, and author who helps new parents all over the world understand their babies and navigate the challenges that arise daily. In season four she will guide listeners in sorting through pregnancy, baby, and toddler items that are useful versus those that are a waste of time and money. The focus of today’s episode is baby clothing. What do you really need to cloth...

Dr. Carole Keim is a pediatrician, mom, and author who helps new parents all over the world understand their babies and navigate the challenges that arise daily. The first year of a baby’s life is the focus of Season 1 of this podcast, ages one to three is the focus of Season 2, and holistic and supportive care is the focus of Season 3. Now Dr. Keim welcomes listeners to Season 4 where she will fo...

Dr. Carole Keim talks about the all-important subject of sleep in this episode. Sleep is a frustrating thing as a new parent which is why there is so much sleep advice and so many sleep books available. Dr. Keim will break down what sleep patterns are normal at different ages and give information on different ways to help babies (and parents, by extension) sleep well.  All babies are different and...