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

On this episode I welcome back certified lactation counselor Melissa of @pump_momma_pump on Instagram to discuss pumping and going back to work. We discuss the following:  Pumping considerations when going back to work Tips for success emotionally and physically Considerations for space to pump How to best schedule pumpings  Common hurdles and how to overcome them  Further reading: Break Time for...

I welcome Alayne, who is a registered dietician and a medical science liaison for Enfamil to talk about formula ingredients, regulations, and how we can support infant cognitive development early on.  We discuss:  FDA guidelines on what is required in infant formula Are European formulas “better” than U.S. Formulas What ingredients in formula help support baby’s cognitive development and immune he...

On this episode I welcome certified lactation counselor Melissa of @pump_momma_pump on Instagram and we discuss common misconceptions when it comes to pumping.  Check out my weekly videos on child health & development by ⁠⁠subscribing to PedsDocTalk on YouTube⁠⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of p...

On this episode I welcome Nicole Hughes (@nicolehughes8 on IG) who documents on her Instagram her life after loss and, in her words, “choosing to survive the impossible.” We discuss the following:  What prompted her to become an advocate for drowning prevention Common misconceptions and assumptions  What she thinks the AAP can change in regards to drowning awareness/education  What education/tools...

On this episode I welcome Dr. Becky Kennedy, PhD, Clinical Psychology of @drbeckyatgoodinside and the Good Inside Podcast. Find her at goodinside.com. We discuss the following:  How to balance raising confident children while making them feel proud of their successes  Examples and phrases to use in real life situations What mistakes parents make that can lead to low self-confidence for kids when p...

On this episode I welcome Thenedra Roots on Instagram as @raisingtherootsboys. We discuss the following and so much more!  Why she started Raising The Roots Boys What it means to her raising Black boys in America today The obvious differences she sees in the way her children are treated in society Her biggest concern for her children's future How non-black parents can support her and other Black p...

On this episode I welcome Melissa Minney, speech language pathologist, mother and on Instagram as @raisinglittletalkers.  We discuss the following and so much more!  What pre-verbal skills are and why they are important  How early we can see these skills How parents can work to develop these skills  Potential pre-verbal development concerns  How to connect gestures with teaching language So much m...

On today's episode I welcome Dr. Shivani Patel, Board Certified Pediatric Dermatologist. We discuss the following:  When eczema can happen and how it differs in infancy vs childhood Why does it happen? When should a child see a dermatologist versus an allergist  Eczema and food allergies explained  Favorite skincare regimens for eczema  Medicines versus steroids What to do about itching  Find and...

On this episode I welcome Child Development Specialist and Parenting Expert Dr. Siggie Cohen. We discuss the following:  When to intervene with biting, hitting or throwing  Rhetorical behavior  How to provide alternative expression appropriate for the action  The science behind why toddlers don't understand abstract concepts or words  So much more!  Get 15% off Dr. Siggie’s “Everything Toddler” co...

On this episode I welcome Jordan Glicksman, Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon in private practice at Newton Wellesley Hospital and Lecturer part time at Harvard Medical School. We discuss the following:  Speech, fluid and recurrent ear infections  How many ear infections may warrant tubes  Hearing tests  Purpose of ear tubes  How long they last  Tips to prevent ear infections  For more watch Dr. Mona's...

On this episode I welcome Jordan Glicksman Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon in private practice at Newton Wellesley Hospital and Lecturer part time at Harvard Medical School. We discuss the following:  The basics of adenoids When they may need to be removed The purpose of tonsils Obstructive sleep apnea T&A procedures Recovery times Other options besides surgery  Check out my weekly videos on child hea...

I welcome Donald Rick, the director of Formulation Development at Coppertone. He joins me to talk about sunscreen ingredients, formulations, the regulatory process of sunscreen and so much more.  Here are some of the topics we discuss: What are some considerations when formulating sunscreens for babies?  What is the regulatory process for sunscreen? Which is preferred? Mineral or chemical sunscree...

EDUCATIONAL AND NOT MEDICAL ADVICE On this episode of Monday Mornings with Dr. Mona I answer two questions. 1. When is picky eating MORE than picky eating. I explain when picky eating should be seen by a feeding therapist and the benefits of seeing one. 2. Preparation tips for a 2.5 year old to attend preschool Check out my weekly videos on child health & development by ⁠⁠subscribing to PedsDocTal...

On this episode, I welcome Dr. Ilyse Dobrow DiMarco, clinical psychologist and author of Mom Brain: Proven Strategies to Fight the Anxiety, Guilt, and Overwhelming Emotions of Motherhood—and Relax Into Your New Self. We discuss the following:  What “mom brain” is What happens to our emotions when we become mothers Maternal anxiety  Mom comparison and social media  Partner relationships once babies...

On this episode, I welcome Whitney of Plant-Based Juniors. Whitney is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Personal Trainer and parent to a plant-based babe. We discuss:  Pediatric plant-based nutrition  The biggest misconceptions when it comes to a plant-based diet  The benefits of a plant-based diet Basic tips to help your kid love veggies  Plant-based formula/alternative for cow’s mil...

On this episode, I welcome Theresa from Montessori in Real Life and we discuss bringing Montessori philosophies into your home.  We also discuss:  When to start Montessori at home  How to incorporate Montessori into your home  The benefits of a Montessori education vs. other methods of early childhood education The overall Montessori philosophy of education  Follow Theresa on Instagram, @montessor...

On this episode, I welcome Carla Naumburg, author of How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With your Kids. In addition to being an author, Carla is a clinical social worker and mother of two girls.  We discuss the following (and so much more): Why we lose our cool with our kids  The importance of self-care and sleep  Fight fright flight freak out  Screentime  Independent play Attunement  Common humanity  F...

On this episode, I welcome Dr. Tim Schrader, the medical director of the Hip Program at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, to discuss Hip Dysplasia.  We discuss the following (and so much more): What hip dysplasia is and how common it is  The risk factors  Why girls might be a higher risk factor than boys  How to properly swaddle  Infant carriers  Treatment and management options For more informati...

I welcome back Jessica Lahey to discuss her New York Times Bestselling Book, "The Gift of Failure: Learning to Let Go so our children can succeed." (paid link) We discuss the following (and so much more): Why is society so fixated on points and scores rather than the actual process of learning? What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivators and why are they important?  What is t...

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, I welcome Dr. Jasmine Johnson (@mrsmommymd on Instagram). a Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow with a focus on women’s health disparities.  Her research looks at the disparities that exist for Black women in pregnancy, labor and delivery. Systemic Racism is a reality and healthcare plays a huge part of this. Racism and bias can play a huge roll in the outcomes o...

On this episode of "A Mother's Message," I welcome Lori, who was diagnosed with autism as an adult. We discuss what prompted her to get evaluated for autism, what the diagnosis meant for her, how it helped her to have this diagnosis, and a message to all regarding autism.  As a reminder, this is the perspective of only one autistic adult. It's important that in honoring neurodiversity, we remember...

On this episode in honor of Autism Acceptance month, I welcome Andi Putt (@mrsspeechiep on Instagram) . She is a pediatric speech language pathologist who conducts Autism evaluations and is a neurodiversity advocate. I welcome her to discuss the following: What is identity-first versus person-first language? Outdated terminology when discussing our autistic community Biggest misconceptions regardi...

On this episode, I welcome Katie.  As part of my "A Mother's Message" series, I welcome moms to discuss things they would like to share with their world. This series is meant to inspire and educate moms through the experiences we go through as mother. Our hope is to also spread acceptance of diversity, especially neurodiversity, in honor of Autism Acceptance Month.  Tune in as we talk about when h...

In honor of Autism Acceptance and acceptance of neurodiversity, I invited Dr Tamar Nazarian Chorbadjian, a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician.  We discuss the following: The role of a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician in taking care of neurodiverse children The current statistics of autism and why we think we are seeing higher rates now Known risk factors  How the diagnosis is made ...

A person's breastfeeding journey can be filled with so many emotions. Choosing to wean your baby from breastfeeding can be filled with excitement, sadness, nerves, and/or guilt. Every woman is different in how she feels when this time of her and her child's life transitions and it's important to recognize these spectrum of feelings as normal and valid. On this episode, I welcome back IBCLC Melissa...