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

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 Mancini (@more_than_milk on Instagram).  We discuss how mothers decide the time is best for them to wean, some tips on how to wean, and we discuss the emotional aspects of weaning that are not always talked about. For more watch Dr. Mona's "How to Introduce a Cup" video on YouTube. Check out the PedsDocTalk Courses for more information, tips, and support along your parenting journey. Thank you to our sponsor: BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode.  To schedule your first therapy session, visit https://www.betterhelp.com/peds to get 10% off your first month  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 parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠⁠⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of my favorite things about this podcast is meeting and talking to other experts in the field of pediatrics.  There is no better expert than a mom.  I started this series: "A mother's message" to invite mothers to share their stories.  Our stories can help others and I am so excited to welcome @abbyrosegreen in honor of World Down syndrome Day.  We discuss her family's journey when they found out their son has Down syndrome, the misconceptions out there regarding Down syndrome, and some of the invisible struggles that others may not realize.  Abby's message is so important for the world to hear and I'm so honored she joined me today for this very important epiosde. Abby co-hosts her own podcast, called HERself sharing stories and motivation for every woman. Make sure to follow her on Instagram @abbyrosegreen and subscribe to her podcast to be inspired!  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/herself/id1489878793 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 parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠⁠⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day. A day to recognize and spread awareness of those with Down syndrome.  THIS EPISODE IS PART 1 OF 2 EPISODES: MAKE SURE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 58: A MOTHER'S MESSAGE-DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS.  In honor of this, I welcome Dr. Sajel Lala (@Lalagenetics on Instagram). We discuss Down syndrome statistics, risk factors, how the diagnosis can be made, what is monitored through the child's life, and some misconceptions about those with Down syndrome. Make sure to listen to Episode 58 for more insight and awareness celebrating World Down syndrome Day.  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 parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠⁠⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is the year anniversary of this pandemic being declared by the WHO. We have seen many lives lost, many families impacted, and are always being required to stay flexible with changing guidance, research, and data. When it comes to kids, many parents have felt like guidance has been lacking.  We know kids are not severely affected with complications as much as older adults, but they are at risk of getting this illness. And some risk is still risk. I invited Jessica Malaty Rivera (@jessicamalatyrivera on Instagram), who is an Infectious Disease Epidemiologist, Science Communication Lead at The COVID Tracking Project, and mother.  We discuss the pandemic as it stands and what it means for our children and some of the following: What does Jessica do as an infectious disease epidemiologist? When do we foresee kids receiving the vaccines? Is there a chance kids won't need the vaccine? Why is it important to test the vaccine in children? Why is a vaccine important for kids even if they are not as affected by severe disease?  What has been the hardest part of being on social media and spreading evidence-based information during this pandemic?  How to most recent CDC guidelines (From March 8th) regarding vaccinated adults impacts those with children.  Tune in and make sure to follow us @jessicamalatyrivera and @pedsdoctalk for more COVID-related education!  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 parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠⁠⁠ page of the website.  Thank you to our sponsor: BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode.  To schedule your first therapy session, visit https://www.betterhelp.com/peds to get 10% off your first month  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Am I giving my child a well-rounded diet? How much salt and seasonings is okay? What is the deal with marketing for kid's foods and why is it a problem? How can we balance "convenience" foods and healthy foods? These are all common questions I get asked as a Pediatrician and on my Instagram @pedsdoctalk. I welcome Monica Auslander (@eatlikemonica on Instagram). She is a Registered Dietician and founder of Essence Nutrition. We both discuss food-shopping for our families, how to be a more conscious food shopper, and how to remove the guilt surrounding what we feed our kids. Make sure to follow @eatlikemonica and @pedsdoctalk for more!  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 parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠⁠⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As an OB and Pediatrician, a common assumption of us two doctor moms is that we have it all figured out.  Not. Always.  I welcome my friend Dr. Marta Perez (on Instragram as @dr.martaperez), who is an OB and new mom. We chat about motherhood and everything that got us here today.  We share a heart-to-heart about the assumptions that are made of us as physicians and doctor moms.  Did we fear pregnancy, labor, or motherhood? Did we experience anxiety in pregnancy or postpartum even with all we know? Do we experience momma guilt? Did we empathize more with our patients after our experiences being pregnant and becoming a mom? Dr. Marta Perez and I break it all down and also educate about the real deal--the truth behind pregnancy, labor, delivery, and motherhood! Check out the PedsDocTalk New Mom's Survival Guide for help navigating the first year of parenthood.  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 parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠⁠⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As parents, one of our hopes is to allow our children to live a long and healthy life. Part of this, is creating heart healthy habits for our children. I welcome Dr. Renee Rodriguez (Paro), who is a Pediatric Cardiologist and mom, to talk all about how we promote heart healthy habits for our patients and our own families. We discuss the importance of creating heart-healthy habits and offer simple ways to make this a possibility for your family. What are some ways we can create heart-healthy habits? Why is this important? How can we teach our children the importance of this? What are screening tests done in Pediatrics for heart health? What do Pediatric Cardiologists do as a specialty? Tune in as we discuss heart health for our children in honor of American Heart Month  Make sure to follow @pedsdoctalk and @drreneeparo on Instagram for more tips!  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 parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠⁠⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oh toddler sleep! This can be a struggle for many families. Perhaps you had an infant who was a 'great' sleeper and is now going through a regression OR you want to teach your toddler to fall asleep independently for the first time. Toddler sleep issues can be a struggle.  I welcome Victoria from Bella Luna Family, who is a sleep consultant and mother to a toddler. We discuss toddler sleep including regressions.  How can we teach our toddler independent sleep skills? What are toddler sleep regressions and why do they happen? What do we do during these regressions? What is the key to success in helping teach our toddler to sleep? What are some various strategies to consider? Tune in as we discuss all of these questions. For more watch Dr. Mona's "Toddler Sleep" video on YouTube. Check out the PedsDocTalk Toddler Courses for help with all your toddler questions and concerns including toddler sleep! 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 parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠⁠⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Child safety can be overwhelming. I find a lot of my families struggle with how to make sense of all this information. So, I welcome Holly Choi. She is a mother, CPR/first aid instructor, child burn educator, and child passenger safety technician to speak about 10 things she wishes every parents would know about child safety. How can we prevent burns in the home? What are the biggest safety tips around the home? What are the most common injuries we see as a Pediatrician and safety educator? How do we make sure toys are not choking hazards? What is one thing we want every family to feel comfortable knowing how to do? Make sure to follow her @safebeginnings on Instagram to learn more about infant and child safety! We only hit 10 things here and of course there is so much more to learn. Check out the PedsDocTalk New Mom's Survival Guide for help navigating the first year of parenthood. Resources: @safebeginnings free guide on anchoring furniture: https://safebeginnings.ca/anchoring-furniture/  Free babyproofing checklist: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5f066b9e65532200269e28db Information on @safebeginnings webinars and e-courses: https://safebeginnings.ca/onlinecourses/ US Car seat checks: safekids.org/events Canadian Car seat checks: cpsac.org/findatech Poison Control in US: (800) 222-1222  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 parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠⁠⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is an honor to welcome Emily Oster who is an economist, mother, and author of the New York Times Bestselling book, Cribsheet, to the podcast today. Emily's book Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool breaks down so many topics and choices parents struggle with in parenthood. From deciding to circumcise, sleep train, to introduce screen time, she breaks it all down with the evidence. I welcome her on this episode to talk about the limitations of breast feeding research. Breast milk is beneficial, but is it really FAR superior to formula feeding? We break down the research and discuss if breast is REALLY best.  https://emilyoster.net/ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/572658/cribsheet-by-emily-oster/ Check out all the PedsDocTalk courses to help you along your parenting journey. 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 parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠⁠⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices