The PedsDocTalk Podcast

Early and open conversations with children about sex are important and especially key to start from a young age. Using proper anatomical terms avoid shame and foster safety. I welcome moms Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson from Birds & Bees, who are helping parents stop feeling nervous about these conversations and instead find empowerment through their guidance and practice. We discuss:  That open and continuous dialogue about sex and bodily autonomy helps normalize these topics How age-appropriate small discussions and explanations are better than having a single, potentially overwhelming conversation like “The Talk” later on.  The importance of teaching children boundaries like “no means no” in all contexts, including sexual situations To connect with Megan and Mary Flo follow them on Instagram @birds_bees and purchase The Birds & Bees Online Course - use code PEDSDOCTALK20 to get 20% off. Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk TV. 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you have ever had to triple feed OR if someone ever recommends 'triple feeding,' you need to listen to this episode. Triple feeding is when a mom nurses, pumps, and supplements breast milk or formula, and IT IS EXHAUSTING and not sustainable. I welcome Victoria Facelli, a fellow IBCLC-lactation consultant and author of Feed the Baby, who is changing how we talk about feeding babies. We discuss:  What triple feeding is and why it’s not sustainable  The problem with lactation education and how we got to triple feeding as an option in the first place  How someone can balance milk production, feeding the baby, and sleep To connect with Victoria Facelli follow her on Instagram @victoria.facelli.ibclc and purchase her book “Feed the Baby”. Follow me @pedsdoctalk on Instagram for entry information to this week's giveaway. Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk TV. 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

The model-minority myth is harmful to our mental health, particularly within immigrant communities. The myth promotes an idealized image of Asian Americans as universally successful, hardworking, and problem-free, which sets unrealistic standards and pressures individuals to conform to a narrow definition of success. I welcome Prachi Gupta to talk about the model-minority narrative and the impact it has on all of us and on the changes needed for future generations.  We discuss: How her personal family dynamics led her to investigate the impact of the model-minority myth The mental health struggles that come with pressure from parents Why we need to provide acceptance and love rather than pressure and perfectionism To connect with Prachi Gupta follow her on Instagram @prachigu. For more resources visit the Prachi.co or purchase her debut memoir “They Called Us Exceptional” on Bookshop.org. Hardcover copies are available now or paperback is available for pre-order and out in stores Aug 20. Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk TV. 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PhilipsPartner Sharing the responsibilities during the fourth trimester is crucial, especially when balancing motherhood and a career. Prioritizing self-care while leaning on baby’s care team helps you find joy in everyday moments.   In this episode, I chat with Robin Arzón, a Peloton instructor and mother of two, to discuss:  The importance of maintaining physical and emotional well-being through movement, breath work, and self-care practices  The critical role of a support network in balancing the demands of motherhood with her career  How using Philips Avent bottles allowed Robin the flexibility to switch between breastfeeding and bottle feeding  And so much more!  Connect with Robin on Instagram @robinnyc. To learn more about Philips Avent and their suite of baby products that allow you to share the care, visit avent.com #ShareTheCare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Red Light, Green Light food labeling system has been around to categorize foods as good and bad and was initially created to support weight loss in children with obesity. However, there are many flaws to this system that can backfire when it comes to child health. I welcome Dr. Taylor Arnold, a PhD, registered dietician, and founder of Growing Intuitive Eaters. She is on a mission to foster a healthy relationship with food and teach adults how to talk to kids about food in a positive way. She joins me to discuss:  Why labeling systems for food is not conducive to creating a healthy relationship with food  Why “talking less and showing more” can be a helpful strategy to encourage balanced eating Phrases to avoid when talking about foods with kids Connect with Dr. Taylor Arnold on Instagram @growing.intuitive.eaters and visit growingintuitiveeaters.com for more resources.  Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk TV. 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some children jump right into new situations, and some are slow to warm. But when is it shyness? And when is it something more? I welcome Dr. Melissa Giglio, a child clinical psychologist, author, and director of a private practice in Hong Kong. We discuss: How are shy kids misunderstood The difference between shyness and anxiety Strategies to support our slow-to-warm or anxious children in new situations Connect with Dr. Melissa Giglio on Instagram @braverygrows and visit bravemightyminds.com for more resources. 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this show, I welcome guests to chat about parenting and parental health, especially maternal physical and mental health. Taking care of ourselves is just as important as caring for our children. On this episode, I welcome sisters Amy Kiefer and Krystle Howald, founders and creators of Expecting and Empowered. They join me to discuss:   Why strength training is important in various stages of our life Mindset shifts and reframing to approaching strength training and working out during pregnancy and postpartum How to build strength training into our busy lives Connect with Amy and Krystle on Instagram @expectingandempowered. For more resources, visit expectingandempowered.com. 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PhilipsPartner The fourth trimester is hard for many reasons, and feeding difficulties can impact a parent’s mental well-being. But how so, and why do feeding difficulties play a role in our mental state?     On this episode, I’ll discuss:  How challenges in newborn feeding can impact maternal mental well-being. Why we need to utilize our support system and #ShareTheCare postpartum. How to protect our mental well-being AND focus on our postpartum feeding goals.    To learn more about Philips Avent and their suite of baby products that allow you to share the care, visit avent.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mirror neurons are one of the keys to child development. Our babies and kids are watching and observing us and how we interact with them, others, and ourselves. On this episode, I welcome Chris Lake, a young childhood development expert and educator, and founder of Behavior Booster, to discuss: The science behind mirror neurons How we as parents can use mirror neurons to our benefit in child development and parenting Why modeling for our kids is so important Connect with Chris on Instagram @behaviorbooster. 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a board-certified pediatrician in the U.S., the recommendations are usually independent sleep for a baby. But I know firsthand that many families do co-sleep and, at some point, want to transition their baby out of co-sleeping. I welcome Ashley Olson, a certified pediatric sleep consultant and founder of @heavensentsleep. We discuss:  The biggest mistake parents make when going from co-sleeping to independent sleep  What “habit-stacking” is and how to implement  What parents may struggle with when transitioning to an independent sleep space and how to approach Connect with Ashley on Instagram @heavensentsleep, and check out her website for more resources. 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I created this podcast because I believe we can learn so much through community and hearing people’s stories, whether we are experiencing something similar or not. I connected with Moshe Popack, a real estate entrepreneur, the co-founder of a national community gardens non-profit that serves to enrich and empower children, and the father of 11 kids.  He joins me to discuss: The importance of “chief adaptability” as a parent Non-negotiables to his family and relationship with self and his partner What he hopes all parents would let go of as a father of 11 children himself Connect with Moshe on Instagram @mpopack and listen to the Common Denominator Podcast. Check out the non-profit organization Neighborhood Farms USA. 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does ‘playing’ with your kids stress you out? Are you overthinking what play should look like, or if you have enough time for play? Playing with your kids does not have to be stressful, and we’re here to take the stress out of it and normalize a few things when it comes to play. I welcome Tammy Schamuhn, a child psychologist and co-founder of the Institute of Child Psychology and co-author of the new book, THE PARENTING HANDBOOK: Your Guide to Raising Resilient Children.  We discuss:  What play can show us about a child Why being bored and under-scheduled is important for kids  How and why play can look different in boys and girls  Connect with Tammy on Instagram @instituteofchildpsych. Check out the new book, and for more resources, visit the Institute of Child Psychology website. 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you consider yourself an optimist? Although some people may be more optimistic than others, you can learn to foster an optimistic mindset – a key tool for parents to build resiliency and navigate the unexpected. I welcome Dr. Sue Varma, a psychiatrist, cognitive behavioral therapist, and author of the new book, Practical Optimism: The Art, Science and Practice of Exceptional Wellbeing. We discuss:  What is practical optimism, and how it differs from toxic positivity and pessimism   If there is a genetic component of optimism or if it can be learned  How some people survive, even thrive, despite profound challenges The 8 Pillars of optimism and the 3Ps of pessimism How optimism can help with dealing with the unexpected, especially as parents Connect with Dr. Varma on Instagram @drsuevarma. Remember to check out her book and visit her website for more resources. 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May is Food Allergy Awareness Month, and part of that is recognizing that even if you or a family member may not have a food allergy, someone you know may have food allergies. I welcome Ina Chung, a food allergy mom, educator, and author of A Kids Book about Food Allergies, who is passionate about food allergy inclusivity.  She joins me to discuss:  Why food allergy inclusivity is important  Top 3 misconceptions people who don’t have food allergies have about food allergies  A four-step framework to safely include children with allergies in events such as parties Connect with Ina on Instagram @theasianallergymom. Remember to check out her book, and for more resources, visit her website! 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I am continuing this series on ways to take care of our mental health so we can better care for ourselves and our children. It’s common to experience some postpartum blues and adjustment as you navigate having a new baby. But when is it something more? On this episode, I welcome Chelsea & Caitlin, founders of Mama Psychologists. They are best friends, authors, Registered Psychologists, and moms to discuss: The line between normal postpartum adjustment and PPD and PPA Postpartum blues  Signs of postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression  When to know you need more help and how to get that help You can connect with Chelsea & Caitlin on Instagram @mamapsychologists. Check out their book, Not Your Mother's Postpartum Book and for more resources, visit the Mama Psychologists website. If you are dealing with postpartum mental health concerns and need help, visit Postpartum Support International. 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in honor of my advocacy for more open conversation surrounding Mental health, I will be featuring episodes on ways to take care of our mental health so we can better care for ourselves and our children. Therapy is highly beneficial, and various modalities are used. EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is an evidence-based approach that has been shown to help in processing traumatic events and changing negative patterns and helping people with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and OCD. I personally started EMDR earlier this year, and in honor of Maternal Mental Health Month, I invited Dr. Cassidy Freitas, who is a licensed marriage and family therapist who also does EMDR.  We discuss:  What EMDR is and the steps of EMDR Who would be a good candidate  Examples of how EMDR helped me and Dr. Cassidy  For more resources on EMDR: EMDR Institute, Psychologytoday.com, and EMDRIA. You can connect with Dr. Cassidy on Instagram @drcassidy, and for more resources, check out Dr. Cassidy's website. If you are dealing with postpartum mental health concerns and need help, visit Postpartum Support International 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know the cultural differences that can exist being immigrant parents and the mental health issues that are unique? Whether you come from an immigrant household or not, this episode is a must to really dive into the cultural stereotypes that exist surrounding mental health and, subsequently, how we show up for our children. I welcome Sahaj Kaur Kohli who is the founder of Brown Girl Therapy (@browngirltherapy), the first and largest mental health and wellness community organization for adult children of immigrants, a licensed therapist, and author of the Book, But What Will People Say: Navigating mental health, identity, love, and family between cultures.  She joins me to discuss: The difference between collectivist and individualistic cultures and why the distinction is important Why diversity in mental health and parenting resources is important What struggles immigrant parents have that may be unique 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and just as much as we need to focus on maternal mental health, we also need to recognize that dads and non-birthing partners also can struggle postpartum as well. 7% and 9% of new fathers develop postpartum depression. I invited my husband back on the show to chat about postpartum mental health and mental health concerns in general in men.  We discuss   Why men and women can struggle with their mental health postpartum  Why men don’t talk about their mental health struggles or seek help as much as women may The cultural barriers that exist that normalize seeking mental health help How we’re raising our kids to undo this cycle of mental health stigma  How consistent therapy has helped my husband and myself  For more on postpartum mental health for all caregivers, visit this resource. If you are dealing with postpartum mental health concerns and need help, visit Postpartum Support International. 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India is home to over 1.4 BILLION people and over 470 million children. There are more children in India than our entire population in the U.S. so I needed to have a pediatrician to chat with from India! I reached out to Dr. Imran Patel, a Pediatrician in India, and one the most followed and loved Pediatricians in the world with over 4.6 million followers on Instagram and 1.5 million followers on YouTube. We discuss:  If vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine sentiment exist in India The cultural differences in approach to sleep and kids How he wishes more families would approach feeding solid foods  What motivates us as colleagues a world apart doing similar work Connect with Dr. Imran Patel on Instagram @drimranpatelofficial 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you felt yourself drift from your friends pre-motherhood? Or have you found making new and meaningful friendships hard after becoming a mom? I welcome Danielle Bayard Jackson, a relational health educator who has made a career out of studying what the research has to say about creating quality platonic relationships. She also has a new book coming out called, Fighting for Our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships. She joins me to discuss:  The three reasons why friendships after motherhood are so hard to make and maintain Why having meaningful and strong female connections is important for our mental health  How to handle “passive” friendships Practical ways to find meaningful connections with peers amidst the mental load and business of our lives Connect with Danielle on Instagram @daniellebayardjackson. Check out her book! 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 Sponsors page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices