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

On this episode I welcome Jessica VanderWier, Registered Psychotherapist and creator of the platform Our Mama Village. At Our Mama Village, they share tangible tools to help families with their children’s behavior and help parents develop relationships with their kiddos that will last a lifetime. Today we are discussing generational trauma!  In this episode we cover:  What generational trauma is a...

On this episode of Monday Mornings with Dr. Mona, I answer a different kind of question (and one I really loved): How to navigate motherhood when you lack those in-person support structures. I discuss 10 tips to reframe and navigate motherhood when you lack that village. Check out my weekly videos on child health & development by ⁠⁠subscribing to PedsDocTalk on YouTube⁠⁠. Get trusted pediatric adv...

The finding joy series is a seres to promote mindset shifts, encourage self-growth, and inspire self-insight for you as parents.  I think our biggest barriers as parents is we don't connect with our own feelings, anger, resentment, and past that it prohibits us from showing up for our children as our authentic and true selves. In this epiosde I discuss the power of forgiveness. I discuss why forgi...

On this episode I welcome Mallory Whitmore—formula feeding mom of two, certified infant feeding technician, and founder of @theformulamom. We discuss the following:   Why we develop formula-feeding guilt The lack of formula-feeding education  Overcoming formula-feeding guilt  Visit Mallory and learn more at www.theformulamom.com. This episode is brought to you by: THE NEW MOM'S SURVIVAL GUIDE: The...

Independent play is something that is important to build into your routine from the time your child is an infant. When interchanged with sessions of interactive play with a caregiver, it provides so much benefit for your infant and toddler. In this episode, I dive into the benefits of independent play, how to make it happen, and how to balance it with interactive play from a young age. For more wa...

On this episode I welcome Dr. Shelby Harris, Clinical Psychologist, Board Certified Behavioral Sleep Medicine Doctor and author. Find her on Instagram as @sleepdocshelby.  We discuss the following:  What motherhood insomnia is and why it happens  Tired but wired!  Non-medicated ways to combat insomnia  Signs it’s time to see a specialist and types of medication So much more  Visit Dr. Shelby at ww...

When is screen-time okay and what's the deal with co-viewing. I think screens can be used as medium of play when you are co-viewing with your child. I do ask you avoid screen-time before one year of age to foster normal child development. Listen in on when I think it's reasonable after one year.  In this episode I go over: Current screen-time recommendations from the AAP How to make common sense r...

The term self-care make me cringe. Especially when its used with a hasthag: #selfcare.  In this episode I discuss the fundamental issues with self care and offer a perspective on self-compassion and why this is so much more important for us. Why is self-care sometimes unattainable The guilt surrounding self-care What is self-compassion My main priorities for self-care and why I believe it's vital....

Tis' the season of virus, virus, virus. And it seems never-ending.  I have so many parents DMing me on my Instagram account wondering if their kid is the only one sick "all the time."  YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I see kids from all various ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds sick right now (not just COVID).  Illnesses happen, especially viral illnesses.  I discuss: Why our kids get so many viruses...

On this episode I welcome Laura Brown, baby wearing expert and postpartum doula on Instagram @mamabirdlosangeles. In this episode we cover:  The benefits of baby wearing Baby wearing limitations  How to choose the right carrier The biggest mistakes when baby wearing  What to look for in a fit  Find Laura at Mamabirdlosangeles.com and learn more at babywearinghelp.org. This episode is brought to yo...

On this episode I welcome Jacqueline Stanko of @lets.talk.tots. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and has worked with children in some capacity over the last 17 years. In this episode we discuss the following:  Why we struggle with playtime Why we put expectations on ourselves to always engage How we can foster development The most important components for optimal engagem...

Let's call a spade a spade here: Parenting in a pandemic is rough.  In this episode, I go over what everyone is feeling; but may not be saying and offer some ways to find joy even in those hardest of days in this pandemic. I also offer some tangible tips to bring back the peace in your mind amidst the chaos that is pandemic parenting. Make sure to follow me @pedsdoctalk and read my post here for m...

For my last episode of 2021, I am starting a new series on this podcast that will continue into 2022. Each month, I will share a heart-to-heart on finding joy as a mother, parent, Pediatrician, and well----human!  I take on topics such as guilt, judgement, making tough decisions, work-life-balance, self-growth, and so much more. My hope is you will feel empowered to find the best in yourself and f...

On this episode of Monday Mornings with Dr. Mona I answer a common question I've gotten asked on my social media account @pedsdoctalk.  I discuss toddler constipation: Why it happens The questions your child's clinician may ask you How to approach it Common medicines we use and how they work  How I personally approach it with our toddler  Check out all the PedsDocTalk Toddler Courses that will hel...

On this episode I welcome back Dr. Siggie Cohen, a Child Development Specialist with over 35 years of experience working with children and families. Check out our previous episode, 77: Understanding why our toddlers bite, hit, and throw and how to navigate it. We discuss:  Why validation is important How to teach children to respect boundaries The biggest mistakes parents make when praising kids ...

On this episode I welcome Shivani Patel, MD, FAA, Board Certified Dermatologist and Board Certified Pediatric Dermatologist. Find her on Instagram @Pedsdermdoc.  We discuss the following and so much more: What exactly a hemangioma is  Hemangiomas in children General management and when to see a dermatologist Management options - monitoring vs. therapy  When a hemangioma may become medically concer...

On this episode I welcome Diana Martins, certified sleep consultant. Find her on Instagram @weesleep_diana.  We discuss:  Understanding your “why” with sleep training Cultural barriers in sleep education Communicating with grandparents regarding your sleep choices Check out my weekly videos on child health & development by ⁠⁠subscribing to PedsDocTalk on YouTube⁠⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, re...

On this episode I welcome back Katherine Sellery of The Conscious Parenting Revolution. Katherine is a 3x TEDx speaker, has taught thousands of parents in a Conscious Parenting Revolution for resilient, considerate, centered and empowered kids who know their inner voice and honor it. If you missed it, be sure to check out my previous chat with Katherine, episode 45: How to Be a More Conscious Pare...

In honor of Eczema Awareness Month, I welcome Claire Ryan, WaterWipes’ Medical Science Liaison, to talk about the importance of choosing the right skin care products for our children. We discuss: Why choosing the right skin care products are important for babies with eczema Basic tips for managing eczema Why WaterWipes is unique compared to other wipe brands or a washcloth with water And so much m...

Motherhood is one of the most amazing journeys we may go through, but it can sometimes be filled with judgement and uncertainty.  I speak with actress, singer, entrepreneur, and mom Ashley Tisdale about her journey through motherhood and how she navigates the ups and downs of motherhood.  Here’s what we discuss: Her journey to choosing formula-feeding her baby and why she chose @Enfamil How she co...

On this episode, I welcome Lola Sanchez Liste, pediatric sleep coach and founder of Rockin Blinks. We discuss the following:  How breastfeeding and sleep training can coexist Methods to consider How to wean baby from feeds  How to prevent engorgement and mastitis  So much more! Find Lola online at www.rockinblinks.com and on Instagram @rockinblinks.  Check out all the PedsDocTalk Courses for guida...

In honor of NICU awareness month, I share the stories of two moms who had premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. If you missed it, check out episode 87 to hear stories from two other moms who had term babies in the NICU.  On this episode, we discuss:  Things NICU moms may be unprepared for  How the medical community can better support NICU parents  What others may not realize about...

In honor of NICU awareness month, I welcome two medical professionals who work hard in taking care of our precious babies in the NICU.  I welcome Dr. Kate Rubey (@drkater on Instagram) who is a Neonatologist. We discuss:  Interventions that are done in the NICU What happens on NICU rounds  What she wishes every parent would know about the NICU I also welcome Katie Ross (@bloominglittles on Instagr...

In honor of NICU awareness month, I share the stories of two moms who had babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Stay tuned in a few weeks to hear stories from two other moms who had premature babies in the NICU.  On this episode, we discuss:  Things NICU moms may be unprepared for  How the medical community can better support NICU parents  What others may not realize about having a NICU expe...

On this episode I welcome Michelle, a teacher going into her 10th year of teaching family consumer science to grades 7-12 in the Midwest. We discuss the following:  Things we wish parents would understand The problem with being a “lawnmower parent” The importance of sleep in school-age kids  The importance of communication with children’s teachers about concerns How being a pediatrician is similar...