DiscoverYour Child is Normal: with Dr Jessica Hochman
Your Child is Normal: with Dr Jessica Hochman
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Your Child is Normal: with Dr Jessica Hochman

Author: Jessica Hochman, MD, Board Certified Pediatrician

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Welcome to Your Child Is Normal, the podcast that educates and reassures parents about childhood behaviors, health concerns, and development.  Hosted by Dr Jessica Hochman, a pediatrician and mom of three, this podcast covers a wide range of topics--from medical issues to emotional and social challenges--helping parents feel informed and confident.  By providing expert insights and practical advice, Your Child Is Normal empowers parents to spend less time worrying and more time connecting with their children. 

209 Episodes
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Send us a text Minisode #2 of Ask Dr Jessica: Rattlesnake bites! In these mini-sodes Dr Jessica Hochman will cover pediatric topics, combining her experience as a parent and her knowledge as a pediatrician. In this minisode, we will discuss her nephew's rattle snake bite. We will review prevention of snake bites and what do to in the even of a snake bite. Do you have an idea for a mini-sode or a topic you'd like Dr Jessica Hochman to discuss? Send her a DM on her ins...
Send us a text Welcome to Ask Dr Jessica Mini-Sodes! In these mini-sodes Dr Jessica Hochman will cover pediatric topics, combining her experience as a parent and her knowledge as a pediatrician. In this minisode, we will discuss her son's first sunburn. We will review how to prevent sunburns, and how to treat them. Do you have an idea for a mini-sode or a topic you'd like Dr Jessica Hochman to discuss? Email your suggestion to: askdrjessicamd@gmail.com Dr Jessi...
Send us a text ADHD is one of the most common concerns parents bring up—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. What does ADHD really mean? How is it diagnosed? And what actually helps kids who struggle with focus, organization, or impulsivity? In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with ADHD specialist Shirley Hershko, who brings both professional expertise and personal experience as a parent of children with ADHD. Together, they explore: What ADHD looks ...
Send us a text Dr. Navidi is a GI psychologist and on this episode, he discusses the connection between GI disorders and psychology in children. Dr. Navidi explains that many GI issues in children, often fall under disorders of gut-brain interaction. He emphasizes the effectiveness of treatments like clinical hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) over traditional dietary changes like the FODMAP diet. Dr. Navidi also discusses the potential side effects of restrictive diets and...
Send us a text In this podcast episode, a pediatric gastroenterologist, Pediatric GI expert Dr. Victoria Martin joins me to demystify milk intolerance in babies—what FPIAP and cow’s milk protein intolerance really mean, why these diagnoses are tricky, and how families can find practical, evidence-based solutions.shares her expertise on milk intolerances in infants. Dr. Martin emphasizes the importance of supporting breastfeeding mothers, addressing misconceptions about milk allergies, a...
Send us a text Feeding kids well is foundational to health—but real-life meals can feel hard. Pediatrician Dr. Reshma Shah, co-author of Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families, joins Jessica to share simple, evidence-based ways to make family meals more nourishing and less stressful. We cover how to “add in” plants without power struggles, realistic swaps kids accept, why fiber is the real gap for most children, what actually keeps kids full (protein + fat + fiber), ...
Send us a text In this episode, we welcome Dr. Bianca Edison, a pediatric sports medicine and orthopedic physician, to discuss the critical issues surrounding youth sports. Dr. Edison shares her journey into sports medicine and emphasizes the importance of balancing athletic activities for young athletes. The discussion covers overtraining, the significance of rest and recovery, the impact of burnout, and practical advice for preventing common sports injuries in children. We also dive into th...
Send us a text Rethinking ADHD: Diagnosis, Treatment, and What Families Should Know - A Conversation with Paul Tough In this special 200th episode, Paul Tough discusses his recent article on ADHD that has sparked significant debate. Paul explores questions like whether we're over-diagnosing ADHD, the rising diagnosis rates, and the nuances of treatment. Highlighting both the benefits and limitations of stimulant medications and the potential of environmental changes, this conversation offers ...
Send us a text Car accidents are the leading cause of death for kids, teens, and young adults — but so many are preventable. In this episode, I sit down with my dad, pediatrician Dr. Andrew Matthew (and the safest driver I know!), to talk about what parents and teens can do to stay safe on the road. Using information from this recent article: Motor Vehicle Crash Prevention, New England Journal of Medicine, Vol 393, Issue 5 (July 31 2025) We discuss: Why car accidents are the #1 cause of death...
Send us a text In this episode of Your Child is Normal, Jessica Hochman, MD, talks with Amy Chinian, founder of My Hair Helpers, about the truth behind lice—what they are, how they really spread, and why they have nothing to do with hygiene. Together, they bust common myths (spoiler: you can stop bagging stuffed animals for two weeks), explain the most effective ways to check for lice, and share safe, non-toxic treatment options. Whether you’ve been through a lice outbreak or just want ...
Send us a text When kids need anesthesia for a medical procedure, it’s normal for both them—and their parents—to feel anxious. In this episode of Your Child is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman speaks with pediatric anesthesiologist Dr. Jacqueline Drummond Lewis (aka Doc JC), author of Adventures with Doc JC: The Unseen Planet. Together they explore what anesthesia actually is, how it works in kids, and how families can better prepare their children before a procedure. Dr. Lewis shares practical ti...
Send us a text This week on Your Child is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman welcomes back Lynn Lyons—licensed therapist, author, and host of the Flusterclux podcast—for a surprising and eye-opening conversation about clinical hypnosis for kids. You might associate hypnosis with stage tricks or pop culture shenanigans, but as Lynn explains, it's actually a science-backed, deeply therapeutic technique—especially powerful for children dealing with anxiety, phobias, or even chronic pain. Drawing from h...
Send us a text In this episode of Your Child is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman is joined by Dr. Tara McCannel—retinal surgeon, ocular oncologist, and co-founder of Seyhart Acupuncture in Santa Monica, California. They discuss how acupuncture can be a powerful, evidence-informed, and low-risk option to support anxiety—especially in children who present with physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, or sleep disturbances. Whether you're a parent seeking alternatives to medication, or simply...
Send us a text Anxiety is the most common mental health challenge kids face—and it doesn’t just affect them, it impacts the whole family. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Eli Lebowitz, the clinical psychologist behind the SPACE program (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), about how parents can help reduce their child’s anxiety—not by changing their kids, but by changing their own responses. We discuss how accommodation and overprotection can backfire, what supportive parenti...
Send us a text Friendship is one of the most important parts of childhood—and yet, many kids struggle to make and keep friends, especially in today's tech-heavy world. In this episode, I talk with friendship expert and podcast host Nina Badzin about how parents can support their children's social lives. We cover how to help kids initiate plans, what makes a healthy friendship, why being the “hosting house” matters, and how to guide your child through conflict and growing apart from friends. T...
Send us a text In this solo episode of Your Child Is Normal, pediatrician and mom of three Dr. Jessica Hochman explores a summer parenting dilemma almost all families face: what to do when kids say, “I’m bored.” Rather than seeing boredom as a problem to fix, in episode makes the case that it’s actually a gift. Drawing on developmental psychology and research, she explains how boredom helps children develop creativity, autonomy, and emotional regulation. You’ll hear stories about J.K. Rowling...
Send us a text In this special "minisode" of Your Child is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman answers four of the most common summer questions she hears from parents: – Is it normal if my kid doesn’t drink much water? – Why does my child get constipated when we travel? – What if my child refuses sunscreen? – How do I prevent motion sickness in the car? The goal is to help parents learn practical tips of normal parent concerns to help you feel more prepared during the summer months. Your Child is Nor...
Send us a text Episode 190 with neonatologist, author and podcast host, Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie who talks about her new book, We talk about the challenges of parenting, particularly in the newborn phase. She emphasizes the importance of bonding with babies, the role of community support, and the impact of modern technology on parenting. Dr Joanna offers practical advice for navigating the early days of parenthood. The discussion highlights that while parenting can be overwhelming, foc...
Send us a text In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, I’m joined by Dr. Larry Waldman, a behavioral psychologist and author of Who's Raising Whom?, to unpack how behavioral psychology can make parenting easier — and more effective. We talk about how small, consistent changes in how we respond to our children can lead to big shifts in their behavior. You’ll learn: Why kids sometimes misbehave just to get attention — and how to turn that aroundHow to use praise and logical consequences that a...
Send us a text Bedwetting is incredibly common—but it’s also often misunderstood, leaving families feeling frustrated, confused, or even ashamed. In this episode, pediatric urologist Dr. Andrew Kirsch joins Dr. Jessica Hochman to demystify nighttime wetting and offer real, evidence-based guidance for parents. They explore: Why bedwetting happens (hint: it’s not your child’s fault)When to worry and when to waitThe truth about bedwetting alarms and medicationsA promising new non-drug device cal...
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