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

With Election Day approaching, Dr. Mona revisits a conversation with Sharon McMahon, known as "America's Government Teacher". They unpack the difference between normal political disagreement and moral boundaries lines, how to navigate division within families and how to hold firm to a boundary without abandoning our belief in human dignity.

They discuss:

- How to vote to prevent harm

- The difference between budgets and dehumanization

- The loss of political decorum

- How to protect your mental health when they are toxic family dynamics

- The understanding that opposing viewpoints are not necessarily malice

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Revenge isn’t a word we typically use when we talk about toddlers. But if you’ve ever taken something away and gotten a swat in return, you’ve seen it in action. In this episode, I sit down with James Kimmel Jr., a Yale researcher and lawyer who was the first to describe revenge as a behavioral addiction. James shares how bullying as a teen almost led him somewhere he could never take back and how that moment shaped his life’s work. We don’t need a prescription to fix this - just forgiveness - and it starts with parents modeling this at home.

We discuss:

•

How years of bullying as a teenager pushed James to a breaking point

•

What happens in the brain when we feel wronged and why revenge works like an addiction

•

Why a lost turn or a taken TV remote can feel huge to a child

•

How the urge to get even shows up as early as the toddler years

•

Why forgiveness is a gift to yourself, not the person who hurt you

•

Seeing the “bad kid” as a hurt kid who needs help managing a very natural feeling

•

Why kids learn forgiveness best when they see their parents doing it first

To connect with James Kimmel Jr. follow him on X @jameskimmeljr and check out all his resources at https://www.jameskimmeljr.com/. Buy his book The Science of Revenge https://link.amazon/B00csEYQV (paid link)

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Baby wearing can be such a helpful tool, but walking into the store full of wraps and slings can feel like solving a puzzle with no instructions. In this Follow-Up, I'm bringing back my conversation with Laura Brown, a baby wearing educator and postpartum doula. We talk about why the right carrier depends on your body and your life and what matters most for safety.

In this episode, we discuss:

- The benefits of baby wearing

- How baby wearing can help parents read their baby's cues

- Why a good fit can feel better than carrying in your arms

- The biggest mistakes

- Healthy hip positioning

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I know how heartbreaking and confusing it can be when a child seems fine and compliant at school only to experience meltdowns the moment they step foot at home. Today, I sit down with Meredith Carder, an ADHD coach, to dive deep into masking in ADHD. Meredith shares her own journey of being diagnosed later in life and sheds light on the immense mental and physical toll that trying to fit in takes on kids and adults. We explore how masking leads to late diagnoses (especially in girls) and discuss practical strategies to help our kids feel safe enough to drop the mask and get their regulatory needs met.

We discuss:

•

Meredith Carder shares her experience as a late-diagnosed adult and parent advocate

•

How children exert so much mental energy masking at school that they experience meltdowns once safely home

•

That many girls especially mask their symptoms, leading to missed or delayed diagnoses

•

How chronic masking can lead to adult perfectionism, people-pleasing habits and burnout cycles

•

Indicators of masking like extreme rigidity, hair twirling, leg bouncing, excessive apologizing and school refusal

To connect with Meredith Carder follow her on Instagram @Hummingbird_adhd and check out all her resources at https://meredithcarder.com/. Buy her book It All Makes Sense Now: Embrace Your ADHD Brain to Live a Creative and Colorful Life https://link.amazon/B0fwsM6F9 (paid link)

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Follow-Up episode, Dr. Mona and sleep consultant Dr. Sarah Mitchell break down common sleep training misconceptions. They clarify that tears during sleep training stem from changing routines rather than emotional damage. Most sleep struggles boil down to two main issues: an over-reliance on external soothing props and being stuck in an overtired cycle.

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

⁠VOTE! The PedsDocTalk Podcast has been nominated for a People's Choice Signal Award - Family and Child Rearing. Vote now through October 15th.

Many videos make you panic because your baby skipped crawling or didn’t get enough tummy time today. Social media can make motor milestones scarier than they need to be. I sat down with Jena Schultz, a pediatric physical therapist and mom of two to cover tummy time, crawling, W sitting and toe walking. Jena also shares two areas where she says don’t wait, act early. My hope is that you walk away calmer and more confident in your mom gut.

We discuss:

•

Why fear-based posts spread so fast online

•

How pediatricians and therapists can work as a team

•

Where tummy time came from and why Grandma never did it

•

Army crawling, butt scooting and the slippery floor favor

•

Head flattening and why early referral matters

•

Why development happens in a sequence, not a stopwatch

•

How to tell your intuition apart from fear

To connect with Jena Schultz follow her on Instagram @drivingdevelopment and check out all her resources at https://www.drivingdevelopment.org/

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

VOTE! The PedsDocTalk Podcast has been nominated for a People's Choice Signal Award - Family and Child Rearing. Vote now through October 15th.

How do we raise expressive children with a voice while still holding firm and loving boundaries? Dr. Mona and Dr. Siggie Cohen explore the balance in this Follow-Up episode. They break down common parenting traps (over-explaining, negotiating, and over-praising) and share how to build internal validation and true connection with your child.

Get Dr. Siggie's new book: https://link.amazon/B09cDlEyf (paid link)

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

⁠VOTE! The PedsDocTalk Podcast has been nominated for a People's Choice Signal Award - Family and Child Rearing. Vote now through October 15th.

I’m joined by Laura Petix, pediatric occupational therapist and the founder of The OT Butterfly, to unpack your child’s sensory processing differences. Behaviors like meltdowns, crashing, restlessness or selective eating often stem from their unique “sensory code”. Recognizing these underneath-the-surface needs allow us to move away from reactive power struggles and toward proactive connection.

We discuss:

•

The three hidden internal systems: vestibular, proprioceptive, and interoceptive

•

Oversensitivity to internal sensations during moments of distress or embarrassment

•

Kids who constantly climb, crash or spin and what needs they need met

•

Sensory overload in environments like school cafeterias

•

Adults who accommodate their own sensory preferences daily

•

How dysregulation is usually a gradual buildup

•

Simple sensory tools like cooling items, fidgets and crunchy foods

To connect with Laura Petix follow her on Instagram @theOTbutterfuly and find all her resources at https://theotbutterfly.com/. Buy her new book, “The Sensory Code: Understanding Sensory Processing Differences to Support Your Child’s Unique Needs”: https://link.amazon/B0fDglrrK (paid link)

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

⁠VOTE! The PedsDocTalk Podcast has been nominated for a People's Choice Signal Award - Family and Child Rearing. Vote now through October 15th.

You don't need 11 children to learn a valuable lesson or two from a parent who does! In this Follow-Up, Dr. Mona sits down with Moshe Popack to discuss what raising a large family has taught him about parenting and managing relationships. They discuss letting go of perfectionism, adapting to the child that is in front of you and maintaining a balance as both a parent and partner.

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today I sat down to talk about something I think about a lot…the crunchy mom movement. Why are so many families walking away from traditional healthcare unheard? Caitlyn Shollmeier, a certified nurse midwife and founder of Lila Maternity, joins me to dig into why this is not really about essential oils or cloth diapers. When women do not feel like a person in the room any more they lose trust and feel like just another number on a chart.

Caitlyn shared her own birth story with twins that stuck with me. She felt dismissed by almost her entire care team, except for one nurse who took the time to listen. That relationship changed her birth story. It is a good reminder that as clinicians, the small stuff, like explaining what is happening and why, is never actually small.

We discuss:

•

Why the crunchy mom movement is growing and what is usually underneath it

•

How shame and lack of time in modern health care push families toward alternative spaces

•

The difference between correcting misinformation and actually building trust

•

Why compassion works better than fact checking when someone feels dismissed

•

How to spot red flags in online parenting communities

•

Caitlyn’s own birth story and that one nurse who changed everything

•

What real informed consent should sound like in a room

To connect with Caitlyn Schollmeier follow her on TikTok @themodernmidwife and check out her laborwear line: https://www.wearlila.com

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Follow-Up episode, Dr. Mona revisits the conversation about the role culture plays in sleep practices for our kids. Joined by certified sleep consultant Diana Martins, the episode shows parents how to navigate cross-cultural and cross-generational expectations - like dark rooms, early bedtimes and crying it out - while staying true to their own parenting choices and maintaining boundaries with family.

We discuss:

- How to get your whole family aligned before starting a sleep plan

- The way to shift the mindset around crying

- The importance of parents learning to calm themselves during the sleep-training process

- Balancing structure with one-off cultural gatherings or light night family events by planning ahead

- Strategies for handling disagreements with grandparents or joint family members

- Acknowledging that previous generations parented differently and we have now learned new ways to help children thrive

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Motherhood is often shown as something women should handle effortlessly while we are expected to also lose ourselves in total self-sacrifice. Today, I sit down with digital creator, speaker and author Libby Ward to discuss what happens when we stop pretending and start getting real about raising kids. Libby shares her own journey of burnout after being pressured to “do it all”.

We break down why being honest about motherhood can shift the narrative for our generation. Libby dives into the story behind her book “Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself”. She explains how letting go of perfectionism and prioritizing rest doesn’t make us bad moms, it makes us human. Whether you’re feeling overstimulated, guilty or just want to be fully yourself today, this conversation is a gentle (and sometimes funny) reminder that you are not alone.

We discuss:

•

Libby’s personal breaking point that set her on a path to address her burnout

•

The pressure moms daily face that can lead to resentment

•

How trauma, upbringing and neurodiversity can drive woman to put others first while masking their struggles

•

How being an honest mother starts with self-awareness and acknowledging your own limits

•

That letting go of the pressure and focusing on micro-moments allows us to be genuinely present with our kids

To connect with Libby Ward follow her on Instagram @libbyward and check out her new book: https://go.shopmy.us/p-86552555 (paid link)

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Mona speaks with Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, mother, and US Senate candidate in South Carolina, about the vital connection between child health, parenting, and national politics. They explore why healthcare issues cannot be separated from political action and why pediatricians and parents need to build real political power to protect children.

Key Takeaways

•

Children Lack Political Power: Because kids cannot vote, donate to campaigns, or hire lobbyists, their needs are consistently deprioritized by elected officials unless adults actively build political power on their behalf.

•

The Danger of Neutrality: Remaining apolitical or staying on the sidelines does not solve systemic issues like Medicaid cuts, high prescription costs, or underfunded public education.

•

Beyond Basic Advocacy: While research identifies health problems and advocacy brings them to light, politics is what actually shifts power to implement long-term policy solutions.

•

National Impact of Local & State Races: State-level policies directly affect child wellness, and supporting candidates who center family and child health shapes national legislative conversations.

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this eye-opening and deeply needed episode, I sat down with Clayton Cranford—a 20-year law enforcement veteran, former school resource officer, crisis negotiator, national award winner, and founder of Cyber Safety Cop. Drawing from decades of experience at the intersection of youth culture, law enforcement, and online safety, Clay offers a clear-eyed look at the real-world impact smartphones and social media are having on kids today.

We dive into the growing movement toward "bell-to-bell" phone-free school policies, why parental pushback is often rooted in misplaced fear rather than reality, and how to successfully navigate screen-time standoffs at home. Clay shares actionable negotiation strategies to help parents recruit their kids as partners in building healthier digital habits, protect their mental health, and delay high-risk tech exposure.

We discuss:

•

Clay’s transition from law enforcement and school resource officer to digital safety advocate

•

What actually happens when schools enforce "bell-to-bell" phone-free policies during the school day

•

Addressing common parental fears around school safety, abductions, and emergency access

•

The real digital risks: fractured attention spans, exposure to explicit content, and mental health challenges

•

Using crisis negotiation skills to handle screen-time standoffs without screaming matches

•

The power of parenting pacts and delaying social media until high school

•

How parents can advocate for phone-free policies within their local school districts and states

Connect with Clayton Cranford on Instagram @cybersafetycop and see all his resources at https://cybersafetycop.com/

Buy Clayton’s books: Parenting in the Digital World: A Step-by-Step Guide to Internet Safety https://link.amazon/B06f8YHhJ and Radicalized Online: How Digital Platforms Shape the Path to Targeted Violence And How We Stop It https://link.amazon/B09IWsdSF (paid links)

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Mona sits down with IBCLC Melissa Mancini (known as @more_then_milk on Instagram) to explore the physical and emotional aspects of weaning, emphasizing that weaning is a deeply personal choice rather than a strict timeline or milestone.

Key Takeaways

•

A Personal Decision: Weaning is based on when you and your child are ready—not on societal pressure or arbitrary age milestones.

•

Gradual Reduction is Key: Dropping 1 to 2 nursing or pumping sessions every 3 to 5 days helps prevent physical complications like engorgement, clogged ducts, and mastitis.

•

Toddler-Specific Strategies: Weaning toddlers requires clear communication, holding firm boundaries, shifting routines, and using distraction to change emotional associations with nursing.

•

Pumping Adaptations: Pumping parents can follow the same gradual reduction process, prioritizing dropping night sessions first to improve sleep and allowing time for body supply to adjust.

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this insightful and encouraging episode, I had the honor of sitting down with board-certified pediatrician, mom of three, and founder of Ahimsa, Dr. Manasa Mantravadi. Trained in pediatric endocrinology, Dr. Manasa saw firsthand the dramatic rise of chronic childhood conditions like type 2 diabetes and set out to address the root causes of child health through preventive, culinary medicine.

We dive into why modern meal times feel so chaotic and how parents can tune out the noise and lower the friction around feeding kids. Dr. Manasa shares her simple, actionable frameworks—focusing on systems over talent, adding nourishment instead of restricting, and transforming mealtime into a powerful vehicle for joy and connection.

We discuss:

•

Shift from counting calories to evaluating ingredient labels

•

Practical perimeter-shopping strategies and finding "quiet" foods

•

Why adding whole foods is more effective and sustainable than restriction

•

Simple rules for reading packaged food labels: added sugars, sodium, and recognizing ingredients

•

Practical, low-lift home systems: visibility, meal bars, and repeat theme nights

•

Small, manageable ways to reduce exposure to plastics, synthetic food dyes, and pesticides

•

Reclaiming mealtime as an opportunity for family connection and long-term health

Connect with Manasa Mantravadi on Instagram @ahimsahomeusa and checkout her products at https://ahimsahome.com

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Mona sits down with cosmetic chemist and science communicator Jen Novakovic, founder of The Eco Well, to debunk common myths surrounding essential oils and explore their true limitations in family care. They dissect the "natural is automatically safer" narrative, address fear-based marketing, and clarify how to approach these products responsibly.

Key Takeaways

•

The "Natural" Myth: Natural ingredients are not automatically risk-free, and essential oils carry genuine risks, including skin irritation and allergic reactions.

•

Unregulated & Illegal Claims: Many multi-level marketing (MLM) reps and social media influencers make illegal medical claims that essential oils can treat or cure serious conditions like asthma, cancer, or fevers.

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Limited Scientific Evidence: While some studies explore potential therapeutic uses (like tea tree or lavender), the high concentrations required often increase the risk of skin sensitization compared to proven, traditional treatments.

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Fear Marketing & Chemical Vilification: Marketing strategies frequently exploit fear of synthetic fragrances and chemicals to promote essential oils, even though regulatory safety backing for these claims is often missing.

•

Responsible Usage: Essential oils can be used for light, low-risk purposes—such as aromatherapy for relaxation or mild insect repellents—but should never replace evidence-based medical treatment.

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠.

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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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

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I’m joined by board-certified OB-GYN and mom of three, Dr. Franziska Haydanek. We chat about balancing clinical practice with social media, fighting online medical misinformation, and navigating the unique pressures on physician creators.

We also dive deep into the gaps of U.S. pregnancy and postpartum care. Dr. Fran shares essential advice on self-advocacy in the hospital, the warning signs every new parent should watch for postpartum, and why recovery extends far past the standard six-week mark.

We discuss:

•

How doctors balance social media algorithms with nuanced medical advice.

•

Actionable phrases patients can use to advocate for themselves when feeling dismissed.

•

The systemic flaws of insurance-driven U.S. postpartum care.

•

Key postpartum red flags: preeclampsia, mastitis, wound infections, and intrusive thoughts.

•

Why body recovery extends far beyond the arbitrary 6-week checkup.

•

The game-changing benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy.

•

How to safely bring social media health trends to your own doctor.

Connect with Dr. Franziska Haydanek on Instagram @pagingdrfran and check out all her resources at https://www.pagingdrfran.com

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Mona revisits a conversation with licensed clinical social worker and childhood trauma educator Patrick Teahan. Together, they unpack how parenthood acts as a mirror, exposing hidden triggers and unhealed wounds from our own upbringing.

Key Takeaways

•

The Inner Child in Parenting: Unresolved feelings from your family of origin often resurface during everyday interactions with your children, such as playing on the floor or managing toddlers' independence.

•

Pattern vs. Bad Day: Distinguishing between normal parenting exhaustion and a recurring emotional pattern that signals a need for self-reflection.

•

Breaking Generational Cycles: Recognizing when your gut reaction comes from an old survival habit or how you were parented, rather than your actual core parenting values.

•

The Healing Journey: Embracing the continuous work of self-improvement and celebrating the step to actively break toxic or authoritarian family patterns.

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this deeply moving episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Serese Marotta, Deputy CEO of Vaccinate Your Family, to discuss the critical importance of protecting our children as we head into respiratory illness seasons. Serese bravely opened up about her own personal tragedy, losing her healthy, five-year-old son, Joseph to H1N1 influence.

Hearing Serese’s story is a powerful reminder of why we do this work and why evidence-based education is so vital. We dove into real-world barriers families face, why even healthy children need protection against preventable illnesses, and how system-wide burnout in medicine can sometimes drive parents away from trusted doctors.

We discuss:

•

How physician burnout inadvertently fuels vaccine hesitancy

•

The reality of flu severity in healthy children

•

Vaccinate Your Family’s mission to improve vaccine access and education

•

Dr. Mona’s personal experience with vaccine anxiety as a pediatrician and mom

•

Common flu shot myths and safety misconceptions

•

The role of social responsibility and herd immunity in protecting kids

Connect with Serese Marotta on Instagram @vaccinateyourfamily and through http://vaccinateyourfamily.org/

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠subscribe 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!

Shop Dr. Mona’s favorite products: https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk (paid link)

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 the⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices