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Every episode
The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
30 episodes
The Follow-Up: Self Care for Moms
Aug 17, 2026 · 13 min
We're revisiting a powerful conversation with board-certified psychiatrist, New York Times contributor, and bestselling author Dr. Pooja Lakshmin. We dive into the stark difference between "faux self-care" and "real self-care," an internal process rooted in active decision-making, boundaries, and self-compassion. Whether you're feeling like you're drowning under the mental load of parenting or trying to navigate broken structural support systems, this rerun offers a much-needed dose of clarity a…
Melatonin, Magnesium & Sleep Supplements for Kids: What Parents Need to Know
Aug 12, 2026 · 53 min
Have you ever found yourself staring at a brightly colored gummy bottle in the pharmacy aisle, hoping a quick supplement fix will finally give you a full night of uninterrupted sleep? The promise of an easy solution is incredibly tempting, but what if these trendy sleep hacks are actually masking deeper behavioral shifts your child really needs? In this episode, I connect with pediatrician and sleep medicine specialist Dr. Craig Canapari to separate social media fiction from clinical fact when i…
The Follow-Up: Feeding Our Kids
Aug 10, 2026 · 13 min
In this episode of the PedsDocTalk podcast follow-up, Dr. Mona sits down with Amy Palanjian, founder of Yummy Toddler Food. Together, they break down how to take the stress, guilt, and mental load out of feeding your kids. If dinner prep feels overwhelming or your toddler suddenly stopped eating their favorite foods, this quick dose of real, relatable parenting advice is for you! Letting Go of Meal Prep Perfection: Why realistic expectations make kitchen logistics much easier. Theme Nights to Re…
What Every Mom Should Know About Labor and Postpartum Recovery with OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Lincoln
Aug 5, 2026 · 56 min
Have you ever entered a medical environment feeling like your voice was completely secondary to the fast-moving machines and rigid hospital policies around you? It is a vulnerable position that leaves far too many birthing parents carrying psychological scars, but what if knowing the right language ahead of time is the ultimate shield against a traumatic birth? In this episode, I sit down with board-certified Ob-Gyn and author Dr. Jennifer Lincoln to demystify the intense world of labor, deliver…
The Follow-Up: Routines for Kids
Aug 3, 2026 · 13 min
In this "Follow-Up" episode of the PedsDocTalk Podcast, Dr. Mona catches up with pediatric occupational therapist Jessica Irwin (Rooted in Routine) to discuss how simple daily rhythms create predictability, lower stress, and reduce decision fatigue for both parents and kids. They break down why routines focus on the order of steps rather than rigid clock-watching, how to build healthy habits early on, and the simple non-negotiable areas that anchor a child's day. Episode Highlights: Routine vs.…
Childcare Costs More Than Mortgage or Rent. This Is the Crisis.
Jul 29, 2026 · 55 min
Have you ever felt the crushing weight of looking at your monthly bank statement and realizing your childcare bill costs more than your housing? It is a staggering reality facing modern families, but why is a system so crucial to our society treated like a personal luxury instead of essential infrastructure? In this episode, I sit down with working mom and leading childcare advocate Paige Connell to pull back the curtain on the skyrocketing costs and systemic failures of American childcare. Paig…
The Follow-Up: Baby Led Weaning
Jul 27, 2026 · 14 min
In this "Follow-Up" mini-episode, Dr. Mona revisits the topic of starting solids and baby-led weaning with guest Jenna Helwig—Food Director at Real Simple magazine and author of Baby-Led Feeding (paid link). Together, they bust common feeding myths, share simple meal prep hacks, and discuss how to take the guilt and pressure out of feeding your baby. Whether you're team puree, team baby-led weaning, or doing a bit of both, this episode is a reminder that responsive feeding and a stress-free envi…
Punishment-Free Parenting and Teaching Kids to Handle Big Feelings
Jul 22, 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
Have you ever felt the urge to yell or hand out a punishment during a chaotic grocery store meltdown? It is a moment meant to stop the behavior fast, but what if it is actually turning off the exact part of your child’s brain that learns lessons? In this episode, I sit down with parenting author Jon Fogel to dismantle the massive misconceptions around discipline and childhood tantrums. Jon shares how traditional punishments backfire on our kids' nervous systems, and explains why our child’s bigg…
The Follow-Up: Understanding Early Intervention
Jul 20, 2026 · 15 min
In this episode, Dr. Mona and special education lawyer Amanda Selogie dive into the critical role of early intervention in childhood development. They break down the realities families face today, including navigating insurance, dealing with staff shortages, and facing lengthy evaluation waitlists. They emphasize how accessing developmental support early lays the foundation for inclusive education. This ensures children of all abilities have an equal opportunity to thrive alongside their peers w…
Beyond “Kids Are Resilient”, What Kids Actually Need to Cope
Jul 15, 2026 · 36 min
Have you ever uttered the phrase, "Don't worry, kids are resilient"? It’s a line meant to comfort us as adults, but what if it’s actually giving us permission to skip over our kids' real struggles? In this episode, I sit down with children's therapist and author Stacy Schaffer to dismantle the massive misconceptions around childhood coping and resilience. Stacy shares her own powerful story of navigating a traumatic childhood under the guise of being the "perfect, shiny" kid , and explains why o…
The Follow-Up: Perinatal Rage
Jul 13, 2026 · 11 min
So many moms feel they must always be gentle, patient, and nurturing. When intense irritability, sudden anger, or rage bubbles up during pregnancy or the postpartum period, it’s easy to suffer in silence out of fear of judgment. Dr. Mona and Dr. Ashurina pull back the curtain on why parental rage happens, how to recognize the clinical signs of a flooded nervous system, and why getting help early—before reaching a crisis point—is the best thing you can do for yourself and your family. Here are th…
Mom Needs a Moment: Why You Still Yell Even When You Know Better (And How to Stop) with Dr. Cassidy Freitas
Jul 8, 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
Have you read all the parenting books, followed the expert social media accounts, and known exactly what you want to say to your child—only to find yourself frustrated and yelling in the heat of the moment? You are not alone. In this episode, I welcome back licensed therapist, author, and crowd-favorite social media follower, Dr. Cassidy Freitas. Together, we take the shame out of "mom rage" and explore the painful gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it when it matters most. Dr. Ca…
The Follow-Up: Raising Multilingual Kids
Jul 6, 2026 · 13 min
I'll be honest with you - this episode hit differently for me as a mom. My son is six and learning Spanish in school, and my parents speak our native language with him, but listening back to this conversation with Alicia made me wish we had been more intentional from the start. No guilt though... just real talk about what the research actually says. Alicia Gandhi is a bilingual speech language pathologist and clinical assistant professor at NYU, and she is the person you want in your corner when…
Bed-Sharing and Safe Sleep Guidelines: Pediatricians Gets Real About Risk & Shame with Dr. Michael Milobsky
Jul 1, 2026 · 59 min
BED SHARING DISCUSSIONS SHOULD BE CLEARED WITH YOUR CHILD’S CLINICIAN. This episode is not personal advice. If there is one topic that makes parents go quiet in my exam room, it is this one. Where is your baby actually sleeping? Not where you planned for them to sleep. Not what you told your mother-in-law. Where are they really sleeping at 2am when you are exhausted and just need everyone to rest? I brought Dr. Michael Milobsky on the show because he is one of the few pediatricians willing to ha…
The Follow-Up: Anxious Parents, Anxious Kids
Jun 29, 2026 · 13 min
Both my husband and I have anxiety. So yeah, we are two anxious people raising kids and watching closely for signs of anxiety in them. The irony is very real. But it also means I am deeply invested in understanding where childhood anxiety comes from, and how much of it we as parents are actually influencing. In this Follow Up episode, I brought back child psychiatrist Dr. Helen Egger to break down the nature vs. nurture of anxiety, what it actually looks like in kids and parents, and how we can…
Your Daughter’s Period Is a Vital Sign, And Why We Shouldn’t Ignore It with Fertility Specialist and Author Dr. Natalie Crawford
Jun 24, 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
As a pediatrician, I was not asking enough questions about my patients' periods. We ask when the last one was. We rarely go deeper than that. And after this conversation, I will never approach it the same way again. I sat down with my friend and colleague Dr. Natalie Crawford, reproductive endocrinologist, fertility specialist, and author of The Fertility Formula. Here is what I want every parent raising a girl to understand: the menstrual cycle is not just a monthly inconvenience. It is one of…
The Follow-Up: Raising a Flexible Eater
Jun 22, 2026 · 13 min
If your toddler begged for mac and cheese, took one bite, and declared it disgusting, this episode is for you. Picky eating is one of the most common and most stressful phases of childhood, but the good news is there are real, practical things you can do before it starts and when you are already deep in it. Dr. Mona sits down with Jennifer Friedman, registered pediatric dietitian, picky eating expert, and founder of Feeding Picky Eaters, to break down what actually works at the dinner table and…
How Fathers Can Raise Confident Kids (Even If No One Showed You How) with former Navy Seal Sniper Instructor Brandon Webb
Jun 17, 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
As a pediatrician and mom, I know firsthand how easy it is to get overwhelmed by standard parenting tips and the pressure to have a perfect family life. In a culture obsessed with quick fixes and curated social media fairy tales, so many couples feel like they are constantly falling short. On this channel, my goal is to share the beautiful, unglamorous reality of making relationships work. We cannot just hope for a happy marriage and connection to happen by chance…we have to be intentional about…
The Follow-Up: Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
Jun 15, 2026 · 12 min
In this episode, Dr. Mona is joined by Chelsea and Caitlin, the founders of Mama Psychologists, to unpack a crucial topic that many new mothers face: the difference between the "baby blues" and more serious perinatal mood disorders. Together, they challenge the misconception that postpartum anxiety and depression always look like crying on the floor. Instead, they discuss the subtle, real-world signs—like the inability to hand your baby to a loved one without a racing heart or a mental to-do lis…
The Courage to Commit, Why Choosing Less Can Give Us More in Life and in Parenting with Andrew East and Shawn Johnson East
Jun 10, 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
As a pediatrician and mom, I know firsthand how easy it is to get overwhelmed by standard parenting tips and the pressure to have a perfect family life . In a culture obsessed with quick fixes and curated social media fairy tales, so many couples feel like they are constantly falling short . On this channel, my goal is to share the beautiful, unglamorous reality of making relationships work . We cannot just hope for a happy marriage and connection to happen by chance…we have to be intentional ab…
The Follow-Up: Identifying and Treating Eczema
Jun 8, 2026 · 16 min
Eczema is common, frustrating, and often misunderstood. In this episode, we break down what eczema actually looks like at different ages, how specialists determine severity, and why treatment should always start with strengthening the skin barrier. We discuss: • How to recognize eczema, including how it differs in infants vs older children • How doctors determine mild, moderate, and severe eczema • When allergy testing is appropriate — and when it is not • Why blanket food panels can cause more…
Raising Kids in a Country with Gun Violence: What Actually Helps with Moms Demand Action
Jun 3, 2026 · 53 min
As a pediatrician, I spent years looking at firearm safety through a clinical lens—as a major public health crisis and a tragic statistic. But after practicing in South Florida during the Parkland shooting and becoming a mother myself, the stakes became deeply personal. My husband is an ER doctor who sees the devastating aftermath of gun violence firsthand, and as a parent, I refuse to accept that this is now the leading cause of death for American children. We cannot just treat the symptoms of…
The Follow-Up: Strength Training While Pregnant
Jun 1, 2026 · 15 min
Strength training in pregnancy can feel confusing with so much mixed advice online. In this Follow-Up episode, I revisit my conversation with Amy Kiefer and Krystle Holland of Expecting and Empowered to talk about how movement can support your body during pregnancy, prepare you for postpartum recovery, and help with the real physical demands of motherhood. We also cover warning signs to watch for after birth, why returning to exercise too quickly can backfire, and how to think about strength in…
Fear Sells—But the Facts Matter: Making Science Go Viral
May 27, 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
In this episode, I sit down with a scientist and science communicator who has spent the last five years in the middle of online health conversations, especially during and after the pandemic. We talk honestly about why accurate information often feels boring on social media, while fear based content spreads fast. This is not a conversation about blaming parents or shaming curiosity. It is about understanding how trust works, why it has been strained, and what actually helps people feel safe enou…
The Follow-Up: Early Days of Breastfeeding
May 25, 2026 · 13 min
The early days of breastfeeding can feel overwhelming when you are recovering, tired, and trying to sort out what is normal. In this Follow-Up episode, I revisit my conversation with Melissa Mancini, RN, IBCLC, to talk through what helps in those first days and weeks, from prenatal prep to milk production, skin to skin, feeding cues, and cluster feeding. In this episode, we cover: How to prepare for breastfeeding before baby arrives Why prenatal breastfeeding education matters What is normal in…
When Politics, Values, and Parenting Collide with Sharon McMahon “America’s Government Teacher”
May 20, 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
In this powerful and honest conversation, I sat down with Sharon McMahon to talk about something so many parents are quietly carrying right now - political exhaustion, moral tension, and the question of how to raise good humans in divided times. We unpack the difference between disagreement and dehumanization, politics and morality, optimism and hope. Sharon shares why feeling defeated is not a personal failure, how overwhelm is often by design, and why focusing on one or two issues can be more…
The Follow-Up: How to Achieve Practical Optimism
May 18, 2026 · 13 min
Practical optimism is not about pretending everything is fine or forcing happy thoughts when life feels hard. In this Follow-Up episode, I revisit my conversation with Dr. Sue Varma, psychiatrist, cognitive behavioral therapist, and author of Practical Optimism, to break down what it really means to build a hopeful mindset that is grounded in action, not denial. We talk about how optimism differs from toxic positivity, why some people seem to move through hard things with more resilience, and ho…
The Parenting Revolution Around Puberty: How to Talk to Your Kids About Puberty Without Shame
May 13, 2026 · 54 min
Parents often want to talk to their kids about puberty and periods, but many don’t know where to start. In this episode, I’m joined by pediatric and adolescent gynecologist Dr. Charis Chambers to talk about how we can change the way families approach these conversations. From stigma and misinformation to the fear of saying the wrong thing, we break down why avoiding these discussions can leave kids confused, scared, or learning from the wrong sources. We discuss how to introduce puberty and body…
The Follow-Up: Anxiety or Are They Just Shy?
May 11, 2026 · 13 min
Many parents worry when their child seems shy. But is it actually shyness, or something more? In this episode, we unpack the difference between a “slow to warm” temperament and an anxiety disorder. We talk about why labeling kids as shy can unintentionally limit them, how social expectations play a role, and what supportive parenting really looks like in those hesitant moments. We discuss: • What “slow to warm” actually means • The key difference between temperament and anxiety • Why the word sh…
The Myth of the "Perfect" Mom: Embracing Ambivalence in Motherhood
May 6, 2026 · 55 min
Motherhood is often painted as pure joy, endless patience, and unconditional love. But what about the moments of frustration? The resentment? The overwhelm? The quiet thought of, “I love my child… but this is really hard.” In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist Dr. Margo Lowy to talk about maternal ambivalence – the completely normal experience of holding love and difficult emotions at the same time. We unpack the difference between ambivalence and indifference, why so many mothers fee…
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