In this episode,, Rachael is joined by an expert to discuss one of her favorite topics- temperament and sleep. McCall Gordon is a sleep researcher and author, and today she and Rachael delve into the complexities of a little-known but hugely important factor when it comes to sleep, parenting, and more: Temperament. Specifically, Rachael and Macall discuss what Macall refers to as “Livewire” children- those who are more sensitive, more reactive, and in need of different supports particularly when it comes to sleep. Inside this game-changing episode: McCall shares her personal experiences with her 'livewire' child and discusses the importance of understanding different temperaments in your babies and children.  the signs of “high sensitivity”, the challenges of sleep for these children, and the limitations of traditional sleep training methods  the need for tailored approaches to parenting that consider a child's unique temperament and sensory processing needs. The realities of sleep training for babies and children, and what the research really says about it practical strategies for parents, including establishing consistent bedtime routines and recognizing the signs of overtiredness.  encouragement to exhausted parents, highlighting the non-intuitive nature of parenting and the need for self-compassion.  Macall has a B.S. in Human Biology from Stanford University and an M.A. in Applied Psychology from Antioch University, Seattle. She has conducted and presented research worldwide on sleep training advice, parenting, and the effect of temperament on sleep. She is also a certified Gentle Sleep Coach in private practice as well as with the women’s telehealth platform, Maven Clinic and has just published a book on sleep and temperament called "Why Won't You Sleep?! A Game-changing Approach for Exhausted Parents of Nonstop, Super Alert, Big Feeling Kids." She comes to this work because she had two of these children, and didn’t sleep for 18 years.Mentioned in this episode:Rachael's free sleep guidesRachael's next TEMPERAMENT + SLEEEP WORKSHOP is Jan 30! Sign up herehttp://www.littlelivewires.com http://www.whywontyousleep.comTake the Temperament QuizMacall’s new book on Amazon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Rachael welcomes Dr. Elisa Song, an integrative pediatrician, to discuss the importance of a holistic approach to children's health and the need for collaboration between parents and healthcare providers. Here is some of what Rachael and Dr. Song discuss in this episode: How a holistic approach to children's health, integrating conventional medicine with holistic practices, can provide the best of both worlds. Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of bifidobacteria in the gut microbiome, magnesium deficiency, and iron deficiency, can impact sleep and overall health in children. The optimal range for ferritin levels and the different sources of iron, including animal proteins and vegetarian options. How antibiotics can affect children and what parents can do to prepare for a round of antibiotics by ensuring their child's gut microbiome is as healthy as possible beforehand.  Tips for restoring the gut microbiome after antibiotics, such as focusing on a nutrient-dense diet and probiotics. The challenges in the current healthcare system and why we need change And so much more! Dr. Elisa Song, MD is a Stanford-, NYU-, UCSF-trained integrative pediatrician, pediatric functional medicine expert, and mom to 2 thriving children - and she is on a mission to revolutionize the future of children’s health. Dr. Song is the author of the national bestseller Healthy Kids, Happy Kids: An Integrative Pediatrician’s Guide to Whole Child Resilience. Dr. Song created Healthy Kids Happy Kids (www.healthykidshappykids.com) as an online holistic pediatric resource to help practitioners and parents bridge the gap between conventional and integrative pediatrics with an evidence-based, pediatrician-backed, mom-approved approach. In her integrative pediatric practice, she’s helped 1000s of kids get to the root causes of their health concerns and empowered parents to help their children thrive by integrating conventional pediatrics with functional medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils. Dr. Song is chair of A4M’s pediatric education and has lectured around the world at leading integrative and functional medicine conferences and premier parenting events. She has also been featured in hundreds of top podcasts, print and online media outlets.BOOK: https://www.healthykidshappykids.com/book/Website: https://healthykidshappykids.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/healthykids_happykids/ (@healthykids_happykids)FB: https://www.facebook.com/DrElisaSongMD/Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️Disclaimer: This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please seek immediate care from your physician if you have any concerns about your baby or child’s health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Rachael is joined by Elizabeth Morel, Physical Therapist to demystify "tongue ties". The topic has been hotly debated in both medical and parenting circles, and Beth aims to give parents the knowledge they need to identify an oral tie and to take appropriate steps to address it. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of early intervention for infants and children, and advocates for parents working with a team of healthcare professionals, including lactation consultants and therapists, to address tongue tie and its related issues. She also shares why she felt called to start her Instagram page, @littlemoverspt, where she provides educational content on tongue tie and infant movement.Inside this Episode: the signs and symptoms of infant tongue tie and how it can impact various systems of the body the increased diagnosis of tongue ties in recent years potential effects and lifelong implications of tongue / oral ties addressing ties in older children professionals you should be working with if you suspect a tie in your child and much much more!Beth has been a physical therapist since 2008 and has been treating babies for over 15 years. In that time she has gone above and beyond the general knowledge of a pediatric Physical Therapist, diving deep into the airway world. Within this world she was the first PT in New Jersey to work in the specific niche of treating babies with oral motor dysfunction, airway difficulties, and even deeper helping parents get to the right provider to find the root causes of the other part of sleep disturbances like heavy metals, parasites, viruses/bacteria overload, and more. She has dedicated the better part of the last 8 years specifically creating her own methodology to integrate the body and her own two kids really drove her passion for airway and oral motor. Beth’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlemoverspt/ Beth’s Website: https://www.littlemoverspt.com/Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Find Rachael here: Instagram | Tiktok |✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever feel confused about what "attachment parenting" or "gentle parenting" are? Do you ever feel like you're getting it all wrong, despite learning *all the things* from parenting experts online? You're not alone!This week Rachael welcomes Dr. Vanessa Lapointe- mom, parenting educator, best-selling author, international speaker- to shed light on the misconceptions around this style of parenting and why it can feel so hard sometimes.Inside this informative episode we hear from Dr. Vanessa all about parenting the child in front of us- keeping the relationship at the forefront. She discusses how we as parents can do the work on ourselves to cultivate what we want out of our children- without trying to change them!Also discussed: Holding boundaries and teaching respect Healing inner wounds as parents and "reparenting" ourselves The importance of Self-regulation and compassion The misconception of "well behaved" children Getting partners on board with this style of parenting Navigating parenting info and trusting your inner wisdom Dr. Vanessa Lapointe is a mom, parenting educator, best-selling author, international speaker, and a regularly invited media guest. She holds a doctoral degree in psychology, and practiced as a psychologist for nearly 20 years, before devoting her full-time energy to connecting with parents and other “big people” around the globe in 2023. Founder of The North Star Developmental Clinic, Dr. Vanessa has long been supporting families and children in her developmental clinic alongside her team and has previous experience in community mental health and the school system. Her passion is in walking alongside parents, teachers, care providers, and other big people to see the world through the child’s eyes. She believes that if we can do this, we are beautifully positioned to grow up our children in the best possible way.Mentioned in this Episode: Dr Vanessa Membership  Discipline Without Damage Course Navigating Anxiety in Childhood and Adolescence: The Online Course Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Find Rachael: Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For gentle + responsive sleep support and parenting resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Rachel Shepard-Ohta interviews Joanne, a pediatric speech language pathologist and early childhood development expert. Joanne shares her journey into speech therapy and discusses her child-led play-based approach to therapy. Joanne emphasizes the importance of reading books, talking to children, and using music to facilitate language. She also provides tips for choosing age-appropriate toys and books! Here’s more of what you’ll hear in this episode: Representation in speech language pathology especially for children of color. Debunking common myths about language development. About child-led play-based therapy and who may benefit What the most effective ways to facilitate language development are How to choose age-appropriate toys and books that align with a child's developmental stage and interests.  And much more! Joanne Cazeau is a renowned pediatric speech-language pathologist and an early childhood development expert at Lovevery. She believes that play and routines are the best tools for supporting development for young children of all abilities! Joanne is the owner of Koze Speech Therapy, a child-led play-based speech therapy practice that supports babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in northern New Jersey. When Joanne is not clinically supporting clients, she is empowering parents and caregivers to support their little one’s communication potential on her social platform, Beyond Babbles.Joanne’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondbabbles/?hl=en Joanne’s Speech Therapy Practice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kozespeechtherapy/?hl=en Joanne’s tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondbabbles?_t=8oF997EyaqN&_r=1 Koze Speech Therapy Website: https://bio.site/kozespeechtherapy The Daily Routines Course: https://earlyandbright.teachable.com/p/routinescourse Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For infant and child sleep support, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Birth trauma is something we may not even realize we experience in the moments during and after birth, and can really cause lasting effects on both the birthing person and their partner. That's why this week, Rachael has a great discussion with Rachel Somerstein, author and associate professor, all about cesarean sections, birth trauma, finding the right care during birth, and postpartum support. Inside this episode: Rachel shares her personal experience of having an unplanned C-section and the lack of support and communication she received during the process.  The misconception around emergency C-sections and “natural” births How medicalization of birth is a contributing factor to the high C-section rate in the US. The importance of high touch care and the need for providers to listen to their patients.  Why a doula during childbirth can be so helpful Redefining your worth as a parent- how you gave birth does NOT determine it! Tips for finding a care team that aligns with your birth preferences and wishes The impact birth trauma has on our parenting journey And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Rachel’s book Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section Rachel’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelesomerstein/?hl=en  Rachael Shepard-Ohta is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 65: Inclusive Ways to Feed and Parent Your Baby with Victoria Facelli @victoria.facelli.ibclcThis week Rachael speaks with Victoria Facelli, an IBCLC and author of the book 'Feed the Baby', to discuss the inclusive approach to feeding and parenting. She emphasizes the need to change our mindset and be open to different feeding methods, rather than getting caught up in the breast milk vs. formula debate. Inside this episode: How to use a risk-benefit analysis for each parenting decision, considering factors such as recovery, sleep, and mental health.  The importance of advocating for oneself and seeking support from professionals like lactation consultants! The power of being able to change our minds as parents and adapt to the needs of our children.  The role of partners in supporting the birthing parent and the nursing parent. Why it is so important for partners to be involved and educated about feeding. Practical advice for partners to help with feeding and caregiving responsibilities The need to protect maternal sleep. Some challenges and benefits of introducing bottles early on.  Hear about Victoria’s personal experiences & insights for navigating the postpartum period. And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Victoria’s website: https://www.victoriafacelli.com/  Victoria’s Instagram: @victoria.facelli.ibclc Victoria’s Book: Feed The Baby If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to the pod for this very special bonus episode- Caitlin Wilder of @wilderbeginnings and the On We Go Podcast!For Part 1 of our conversation all about friendships, head over here!In this Part of our live chat we take listener questions including: how to handle if a friend has different political views than you how husband/ partner friendships differ what to do if a friend disciplines your child maintaining friendships with people who are parenting differently the importance of "micro" social interactions for our mental health how to not put too much pressure on a friendship friendship breakups and more! Caitlin is an LA-based doula and birth educator plus mom of 2! She runs the @wilderbeginnings Instagram account to share relatable tips and mom-life solidarity always with realness, positivity and humor.Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website  ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 64: How to Self Regulate as a Parent with Dr. Amber Thornton @dramberthorntonEver totally lose your cool on your kids and feel SO guilty afterwards? You’re NOT alone! That’s why this week, Rachael speaks with Dr. Amber Thornton, a licensed clinical psychologist and strong advocate for parental mental health, all about self-regulation, overwhelm, and reparenting!Inside this episode: Find out a practical framework for breaking the cycle of dysregulation. Learn how you can practice emotional regulation during the postpartum period- so hard! Why mental health struggles can make regulation especially difficult.  Tools for managing overwhelm after working full time or being home with your kids full time. How do you actually begin the process of “reparenting” yourself? Ways to deal with mistakes and handle them as a parent especially after totally losing your cool.  All the positive effects reparenting has on our children. All about her new book, A Parent's Guide to Self-Regulation. And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Amber Thornton’s website: dramberthornton.com Dr. Amber Thornton’s instagram: @dramberthornton A Parent's Guide to Self-Regulation: A Practical Framework for Breaking the Cycle of Dysregulation and Mastering Emotions for Parents and Children If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 63: Creating Safe Spaces for Trans Kids with Ben Greene @psuedo.broBen Green, a transgender advocate and author, joins the podcast this week to discuss the important topic of transgender inclusion and support for trans kids! Ben encourages a joy-centered approach to supporting trans kids in your own life and the broader community, and celebrates the resilience and strength of the trans community.Inside this episode: Hear Ben’s personal experience of coming out at a young age and the challenges he faced. The importance of creating safe spaces for trans kids to come out and be themselves. How politics can impact the trans community and the need for understanding support, and protective legislation Why representation and normalizing LGBTQ+ identities in media and literature is so valuable. Ben provides tips for parents on how to talk to their kids about gender identity and how to advocate for their trans children in schools.  And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Ben’s Book: My Child is Trans- Now What? A Joy Centered Approach to Support  Ben’s website: https://www.bgtranstalks.com/  Ben’s instagram: @psuedo.bro If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices