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

Dr. Mona Amin, a board-certified pediatrician and lactation consultant, shares invaluable insights on nurturing children’s health and body awareness. She discusses raising mindful eaters by fostering positive relationships with food and addressing picky eating. Dr. Mona emphasizes the importance of teaching kids about their emotions and physical needs, using supportive language during meals, and creating a nurturing environment. Her approach aims to equip parents with effective strategies to instill confidence and holistic well-being in their children.

Dr. Mona Amin is a pediatrician and a mother dedicated to helping parents thrive. In this engaging conversation with Dr. Shelby Harris, they tackle the daunting challenges of the fourth trimester. They explore why the advice to 'sleep when the baby sleeps' can be unrealistic, discuss the hormonal impacts on postpartum sleep, and share practical tips for new parents. The importance of establishing newborn sleep routines and building supportive networks for mothers is also highlighted, ensuring a smoother transition into parenthood.

Did you know while hospitalization is uncommon, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies under 1? RSV season is typically fall – spring but can vary by local areas and today I'm sharing about a preventative antibody which can help protect against severe RSV lung infections. I'm joined by Shawn Johnson East and Dr. Natalie Barnett, Vice President of Clinical Research at Nanit, to discuss the importance of RSV protection for babies. They share personal experiences, including Shawn's family's journey with RSV, and offer expert insights on how parents can help protect their little ones during RSV season. They join me to discuss:  How RSV is common and can be a serious virus for infants. Beyfortus (nirsevimab-alip) 50mg and 100mg Injection, a preventative antibody that helps give babies an extra layer of protection against severe RSV lung infection for babies under age 1 born during or entering their first RSV season and certain kids up to 24 months. Your child should not take Beyfortus if your child has a history of serious allergic reactions to nirsevimab-alip or any of the ingredients in Beyfortus. Beyfortus may not protect all children. That parenting can be scary but navigating the journey with monitors like Nanit, and knowledge of prevention measures for RSV can be empowering. To connect with Shawn Johnson East follow her on Instagram @shawnjohnson. Visit Nanit.com to see their products and learn more about their research. For more about Beyfortus visit http://beyfortus.com.Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.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.INDICATIONBeyfortus is a prescription medicine used to help prevent a serious lung disease caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in: Newborns and babies under 1 year of age born during or entering their first RSV season. Children up to 24 months of age who remain at risk of severe RSV disease through their second RSV season. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONYour child should not take Beyfortus if your child has a history of serious allergic reactions to nirsevimab-alip or any of the ingredients in Beyfortus.Before your child receives Beyfortus, tell your healthcare provider about all of your child’s medical conditions, including if your child: has ever had a reaction to Beyfortus. has bleeding or bruising problems. If your child has a problem with bleeding or bruises easily, an injection could cause a problem. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines your child takes, including prescription and over-the- counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Your infant should not receive a medicine called palivizumab if they have already received Beyfortus in the same RSV season.Serious allergic reactions have happened with Beyfortus. Get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue difficulty swallowing or breathing unresponsiveness bluish color of skin, lips, or under fingernails muscle weakness severe rash, hives, or itching The most common side effects of Beyfortus include rash and pain, swelling, or hardness at the site of your child’s injection. These are not all the possible side effects of Beyfortus. Call your healthcare provider if you have questions about side effects.Full Prescribing Information: https://products.sanofi.us/beyfortus/beyfortus.pdfPatient Information: https://products.sanofi.us/beyfortus/beyfortus_patient-info.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s more to being rich than the number in your bank account, but finances are still important. Stress around money can impact our parenting, and kids are quick to notice. How can we talk to them about budgets and responsible spending without passing down our anxiety? This week, I welcome Farnoosh Torabi, a personal finance expert, to discuss how to foster open and honest conversations about money with children and help them develop a healthy relationship with finances. She joins me to discuss: What inspired her ambition and shaped her understanding of hard work The importance of fostering curiosity about finances in children How being “rich” encompasses more than just financial status To connect with Farnoosh Torabi follow her on Instagram @farnooshtorabi, check out all her resources at https://farnoosh.tv/ and listen to her podcast So Money with Farnoosh Torabi. Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. 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

A new baby creates new roles…parent, of course, but also grandparent. A happy family dynamic starts with proactive discussions before baby is even born about the roles both parent and grandparent will have and everyone’s expectations. This week, I welcome Dee Dee Moore, a grandparenting expert, to discuss how to foster healthy relationships and promote open communication between new parents and their parents. She joins me to discuss:  The need for effective communication between grandparents and parents How discussing roles and expectations early on is important for a positive relationship The pressures modern parents face from abundant information and social media To connect with Dee Dee Moore follow her on Instagram @morethangrand and check out all her resources at morethangrand.com and get her New Grandparent Essentials Guide Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. 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

SIDs is scary but research has shown us there are many ways to reduce the risk. We’ll discuss the “ABCs” of sleep and how evidence-based information can help reduce the number of SIDs cases there are. This week, I welcome Dr. Darria Gillespie, an ER doc and mom of three, to discuss how safe sleep practices can greatly reduce the risk of SIDs in your home. She joins me to discuss:  Safe sleep practices including the ABCs of sleep for infants How factors like bed sharing, sleep surfaces and infant age influence the risk of SIDS The importance of using evidence-based data to inform parent choices and reduce anxiety Books by Paul Offit https://www.jpma.org/  To connect with Dr. Darria Gillespie follow her on Instagram @drdarria and check out all her resources at https://drdarria.com/. For more safety tips, purchase Dr. Darria’s baby-proofing course at nopanicparenting.com. Use PEDSDOCTALK for 15% off her course. Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. 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

Lying in young children is a normal developmental stage, often driven by imagination and testing boundaries. It's important for parents to respond with empathy and understanding to encourage honesty. Practical strategies can help foster open communication, trust, and emotional expression. Additionally, modeling truthful behavior and addressing sibling dynamics creates a supportive environment where honesty thrives. Overall, cultivating clear communication and compassion strengthens family bonds while guiding children through their moral development.

Society wants us to raise our boys to be “tough” but boys are more complex and as parents we need to help them navigate the cultural pressures and protect their emotional well-being. We need to understand the impact of feeling inadequate and the importance of fostering empathy towards boys during their development. This week, I welcome Ruth Whippman, an author, essayist and cultural critic, to discuss how we can support boys in embracing their emotions and navigating their growth. She joins me to discuss:  How boys face indirect societal pressures that discourage emotional expression Why feelings of inadequacy regarding masculinity can trigger harmful behaviors, including violence. The need to recognize boys’ struggles and foster a positive narrative that empowers them. To connect with Ruth Whippman follow her on Instagram @ruthwhippman and Substack @ruthwhippman. Check out all her resources at https://www.ruthwhippman.com/. For more, purchase Ruth’s book BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity. Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. 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

Parents have many stressors and fears when starting solids: the mess, what to give, how to give it, schedules, gagging and choking, and allergies. The fear of allergies can make parents AVOID giving allergenic foods when that can actually be more of a detriment. I welcome Malina Malkani who is pediatric registered dietitian, mom of three, and author of the new book Safe and Simple Food Allergy prevention We discuss:  Parental fears surrounding food allergies and how to overcome this How we can reduce the risk of food allergies in babies What it means to introduce allergenic foods early, often, and consistently To connect with Malina Malkani follow her on Instagram @healthy.mom.healthy.kids, check out all her resources at https://www.malinamalkani.com/. Get Malina’s new book (pre-order until release on 11/12/24) Safe and Simple Food Allergy Prevention: A Baby-Led Feeding Guide to Starting Solids and Introducing Top Allergens. Read about the LEAP study research from The New England Journal of Medicine and Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) . Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. 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

Intimacy after childbirth is…COMPLICATED.There are so many societal pressures for postpartum sex but what is more important is to have open communication about desires and readiness. We need to redefine sexual experiences beyond intercourse to include emotional connection and playful touch. This week, I welcome Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, a couples therapist, to discuss how healthy relationships positively impact parenting and what’s needed to reconnect with your partner post-baby. She joins me to discuss:  Misconceptions about postpartum intimacy, such as societal pressures and readiness for sex Why a strong partnership positively influences parenting How to redefine intimacy to focus on small, meaningful moments To connect with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish follow her on Instagram @drtracyd, check out all her resources at https://www.drtracyd.com/. Check out the two books Dr. Tracy mentioned: Come as You Are and Better Sex Through Mindfulness Dr. Tracy's new book, "You, Your Husband, and His Mother" is now on sale: ⁠Order your copy here⁠. Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. 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