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

I have spoken about weight and percentile anxiety many times both on my social media channels and on this podcast and now I am experiencing it. On this episode, I get candid about percentile anxiety and how it impacted my postpartum.  I discuss:  How my percentile anxiety negatively impacted me postpartum  How anxiety over my daughter’s weight led to her having temporary feeding aversions  How to...

#PhilipsPartner  Today on the podcast, we're joined by artist Brooke Ring, in collaboration with Philips Avent's Parent's Path Art Collection. We'll explore how art aided her postpartum journey and the positive effects of creative outlets on mental health. The Philips Avent's Parent's Path Art Collection features custom artwork by mom artists, highlighting their motherhood experiences with self-ex...

Independent sleep? Co-sleeping? Parental assistance with sleep? There are a lot of opinions all over the place. On this episode, I welcome Dr Shelby Harris, a licensed clinical psychologist who is board certified and specializing in behavioral sleep medicine to discuss if there is an age where a child needs to be taught independent sleep if they haven’t learned it on their own. We discuss:  The ag...

On this show, you will find guidance on all things parenting, health, and development for our kids AND important conversations surrounding parental mental health and communication. Part of this conversation is around resentment that may happen with partners after having children.     On this episode, I welcome Ashurina Ream - a licensed clinical psychologist, mom, and founder of Psyched Mommy. She...

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is still a relatively unknown specialty and yet it is incredibly important. On this podcast, we discuss parenting and child health and development, but also health and mental health for caregivers. And pelvic floor health is part of that! I welcome Dr. Sara Reardon, a pelvic floor physical therapist who was recently featured in TIME magazine, and founder of @the.vagin...

What is the science of rewards and threats to the brain, especially to the child's brain? On this episode, I welcome Dr. Loretta Breuning, an author and Founder of the Inner Mammal Institute, to discuss :  How rewards and threats shape the young brain How to build healthy reward pathways in your kids Why yelling, pleading, and bribes can create reward systems and why we want to limit these things...

Sleep deprivation postpartum (and in general) has a deep impact on our mental health. On this episode, I welcome Dr. Harvey Karp who is a world renowned pediatrician and child development expert. He is the co-founder and CEO of Happiest Baby and the creator of SNOO Smart Sleeper. He is also the author of the best-selling parenting guides The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on t...

We’ve all been there. TANTRUMS. But, there is a way to de-escalate a tantrum and it involves us to be ready to do it. On this episode I welcome Chris Lake, a young childhood development expert and educator and founder of Behavior Booster to discuss:  The L.A.K.E Method of de-escalating tantrums Why you play a huge role in behavior modification What not to do during a tantrum  Silverette Join me an...

Picky eating is a very common phase children go through, but what happens when it goes past what’s “normal” and persists past toodlerhood? I welcome Jennifer Friedman, Registered Pediatric Dietician and picky eating expert, and founder of @feedingpickyeaters to discuss: How our mindset impacts if a picky eater will try new food  How to use child-based play to introduce new foods  How to bridge pre...

Breastfeeding is not always as straightforward as some may say. And part of this is managing expectations on what to expect at the hospital in terms of breastfeeding education. On this episode I welcome Kelly Kendall, a nurse, IBCLC, a founder of the @balancedboob to discuss structural limitations of breastfeeding education in hospitals. We discuss:  Why we can’t rely on learning everything we nee...

Mindfulness seems to be the IT word lately, but why does it feel so daunting and overwhelming? I welcome Helene Kusman who is a mom, yoga teacher, reiki healer, with a masters in education to discuss how to be a mindful mama and why it helps us in a chaotic world. We discuss:  Misconceptions about mindfulness Building mindfulness into your life  Mindfulness tips with newborns and beyond Cozy Earth...

Did you know newborn hearing screens are routine tests done in the hospital before your baby goes home? Sometimes, parents don’t realize it happens because they’re sleep-deprived but it does and it’s so important. I welcome Kelsey Kerkhove, a pediatric audiologist, to discuss:  What happens during a newborn hearing screen and why it’s important What happens if a baby doesn’t pass the screen Risk f...

Meal planning, shopping, prepping, and feeding our families can be met with a lot of stress. And it’s important to find ways to REMOVE the stress from the equation and bring joy back to meal-times.    On this episode, I welcome Amy Palanjian. She is a mom, founder of Yummy Toddler Food, and author of the new book Dinnertime S.O.S. She joins me to discuss:  How to streamline meal prep for your fami...

The United States has the lowest breastfeeding rates of most developed countries. And this is a fault of the systemic issues at play. I invited Amanda Gorman, founder and chief clinical officer at Nest Collaborative and Pediatric NP, to discuss:  Why our rates of breastfeeding are so low in the U.S. How the lack of paid family leave impacts these rates How we can advocate for breastfeeding familie...

We need to discuss some things about postpartum so we can normalize experiences.  On this episode, I welcome Chelsea & Caitlin, founders of Mama Psychologists. They are best friends, authors, Registered Psychologists, and moms to discuss: The things people don’t always talk about in postpartum Why it’s important to discuss these things  How feeling less alone helps us as moms  Cozy Earth Get ready...

There is a misconception that breastfeeding comes easy to everyone who wants to do it. As an IBCLC, I know this is not the truth. I welcome Kaia Lacy, a certified lactation counselor, partner of The Low Milk Supply Foundation, and mother of two to normalize low milk supply in breastfeeding. We discuss: The difference between primary and secondary low milk supply Misconceptions about breastfeeding...

Parenting requires compassion and self-reflection and on this episode I welcome Kobe Campbell, a licensed trauma therapist and author, to discuss ways positive parenting impacts our kids. We discuss: What positive parenting is  How it positively impacts kids and families Why fear-based parenting doesn’t work  Why playfulness is so important for kids and parents  KicKee Pants Get KicKee Pants award...

Bilingualism and multilingualism is common in many households, yet there are many misconceptions about it. On this episode I welcome Alisha Gandhi, a bilingual speech language pathologist and clinical assistant professor of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at NYU, to discuss :  Misconceptions about bilingualism Benefits of bilingualism and multilingualism How a parent can approach teaching mul...

Organic food marketing has led to many to believe that it is superior to non-organic foods; but this is not necessarily the case.  On this episode, I welcome Dr. Jess Steier and Dr. Andrea Love, hosts of The Unbiased Science Podcast. Dr. Jess has a doctorate in public health with specialization in health policy evaluation and Dr. Andrea has a phD in Immunology and microbiology. They join me to dis...

Traveling with kids can be daunting, especially traveling by plane. I welcome Preethi Harbuck who is a mom of six, avid traveler, and creator of @localpassportfamily a blog and social media platform to support families as they travel to discuss:  Why lowering expectations matters in travel  Things you should always have on board Reframing when you’re feeling anxious about traveling by plane with k...

On social media, there are many distinct parenting styles noted on various accounts—Positive parenting. Gentle parenting. Attachment parenting. But, is one really superior than the other?  I welcome Cara Goodwin (@parentingtranslator) who is a clinical psychologist, mom, and who translates the research on child development and parenting in an easy-to-understand way for parents to chat all about th...

Health is a vital sign. It is an important thing we monitor at well visits, which is why routine check-ups are important. But when is growth a concern? Tune in to hear me talk with Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger, a Pediatric Endocrinologist, about height and kids. We discuss:  How percentiles play a role in height  Average growth trajectory for kids  Workup if height trajectory is a concern including imagin...

Motherhood can be a time of great joy and love; yet it is not uncommon for feelings of irritability and rage to set in either during pregnancy or during those postpartum months and beyond.   On this episode, I welcome Ashurina Ream-a licensed clinical psychologist, mom, and founder of Psyched Mommy. She joins me to discuss:  What is perinatal rage and why can it happen How to recognize you need su...

Picky eating is a very common phase children go through, but there are things we as parents can consider BEFORE we get to these stages. I welcome Jennifer Friedman, Registered Pediatric Dietician and picky eating expert, and founder of @feedingpickyeaters to discuss: 3 simple things you can do to approach picky eating before it starts How to get unstuck when you’re in a menu rut  Factors that can...

We often focus on the number of words a child says, but oftentimes parents have the question: ”Is HOW my child is saying this developmentally appropriate?” On this episode, I welcome Melissa Minney, Speech Language Pathologist and Founder of Raising Little Talkers to discuss: The difference between speech and language Normal progression of speech sounds in the toddler/preschool years Do parents ne...