Society wants us to raise our boys to be “tough” but boys are more complex and as parents we need to help them navigate the cultural pressures and protect their emotional well-being. We need to understand the impact of feeling inadequate and the importance of fostering empathy towards boys during their development. This week, I welcome Ruth Whippman, an author, essayist and cultural critic, to discuss how we can support boys in embracing their emotions and navigating their growth.

She joins me to discuss: 

• How boys face indirect societal pressures that discourage emotional expression
• Why feelings of inadequacy regarding masculinity can trigger harmful behaviors, including violence.
• The need to recognize boys’ struggles and foster a positive narrative that empowers them.

To connect with Ruth Whippman follow her on Instagram @ruthwhippman and Substack @ruthwhippman. Check out all her resources at https://www.ruthwhippman.com/. For more, purchase Ruth’s book BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity.

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.

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Parents have many stressors and fears when starting solids: the mess, what to give, how to give it, schedules, gagging and choking, and allergies. The fear of allergies can make parents AVOID giving allergenic foods when that can actually be more of a detriment. I welcome Malina Malkani who is pediatric registered dietitian, mom of three, and author of the new book Safe and Simple Food Allergy prevention

We discuss: 

• Parental fears surrounding food allergies and how to overcome this
• How we can reduce the risk of food allergies in babies
• What it means to introduce allergenic foods early, often, and consistently

To connect with Malina Malkani follow her on Instagram @healthy.mom.healthy.kids, check out all her resources at https://www.malinamalkani.com/. Get Malina’s new book (pre-order until release on 11/12/24) Safe and Simple Food Allergy Prevention: A Baby-Led Feeding Guide to Starting Solids and Introducing Top Allergens.

Read about the LEAP study research from The New England Journal of Medicine and Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) .

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.

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Intimacy after childbirth is…COMPLICATED.There are so many societal pressures for postpartum sex but what is more important is to have open communication about desires and readiness. We need to redefine sexual experiences beyond intercourse to include emotional connection and playful touch. This week, I welcome Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, a couples therapist, to discuss how healthy relationships positively impact parenting and what’s needed to reconnect with your partner post-baby.

She joins me to discuss: 

• Misconceptions about postpartum intimacy, such as societal pressures and readiness for sex
• Why a strong partnership positively influences parenting
• How to redefine intimacy to focus on small, meaningful moments

To connect with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish follow her on Instagram @drtracyd, check out all her resources at https://www.drtracyd.com/. Check out the two books Dr. Tracy mentioned: Come as You Are and Better Sex Through Mindfulness

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. 

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Dealing with a whiny child can be challenging, often leading parents to feel overwhelmed. I emphasize that whining is developmentally normal and a sign that your child is still learning how to communicate their emotions. Instead of giving in to the whining, which reinforces the behavior, I encourage parents to adopt strategies to encourage better communication.

Today I’ll discuss: 

• How to recognize and understand your child’s triggers
• The need to stay calm and to remind yourself that this is a moment that can be navigated without escalating
• Tips to promote preferred communication
• The importance of consistency

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. 

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Is your four-year old lining up toys? Do they love washing their hands over and over? Does your child get frustrated if routines are broken? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a diagnosis we see, but not all behaviors are considered OCD. In honor of OCD Awareness Week, I welcome Michelle Massi who is a mom and a therapist (LMFT) specializing in working with kids, families and adults who struggle with anxiety, OCD and OC related disorders.

She joins me to discuss: 

1. The definition and characteristics of OCD
2. If an “inflexible” toddler is a sign of OCD
3. Misconceptions surrounding OCD
4. Management strategies for OCD

To connect with Michelle Massi follow her on Instagram @anxietytherapyla, check out all her resources at https://anxietytherapyla.com/. Visit the International OCD Foundation at https://iocdf.org/ for additional 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 Sponsorships page of the website. 

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I have a shared love of child behavior and development with Alyssa Blask Campbell-CEO of Seed & Sew and host of the Voices of Your Village Podcast. She has a master’s degree in early childhood education and she joins me today to really get into the WHY behind tantrums and find more peace in the process.

She joins me to discuss: 

• The different sensory systems we have and why knowing your child’s go-to can help BEFORE and DURING a tantrum  
• How we can sometimes “over-do it” as a parent in the tantrum 
• Why AFTER a tantrum and moments of dysregulation are most important 

To connect with Alyssa Blask Campbell follow her on Instagram @seed.and.sew, check out all her resources at https://www.seedandsew.org/ and take her free quiz: https://seedquiz.com

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. 

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October is ADHD awareness month and I invited Lori Long and Katie Severson founders of The Childhood Collective an online resource to help parents of children with ADHD. Whether you or your child has ADHD or not; we discuss some very important parenting strategies that you may find useful even if your child does not have ADHD. 

We discuss: 

• What to remember about the ADHD brain and how to better approach your child with ADHD
• Why some parenting discipline strategies like gentle parenting may not work with children with ADHD and what they may need instead  
• How to approach ADHD parenting with prevention versus consequences

To connect with Dr. Mallory Yee and Dr. Lori Long follow them on Instagram @thechildhoodcollective, check out all their resources at https://www.thechildhoodcollective.com/ and download their free guide: 6 Keys to Parenting a Happy and Independent Child with ADHD.

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. 

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What does your Pediatrician ACTUALLY know? It seems on social media this is the narrative: “They have no education on lactation!” “They make money if they vaccinate our kids!” “They know nothing about nutrition.” “They know nothing about child safety!” “And why do they keep asking how my child is sleeping??!” I welcome Dr. Krupa Playforth, fellow pediatrician and mom and owner of her own practice to hash out all of these things and separate fact from fiction. 

We discuss:

• What pediatricians really know from our training about lactation, car seat education, sleep, and nutrition
• Why your pediatrician cares about your child’s sleep
• Misconceptions about pediatricians especially on social media (*ahem* We don’t get paid by big pharma to push vaccines)

To connect with Dr. Krupa Playforth follow her on Instagram @thepediatricianmom, check out all her resources at https://www.thepediatricianmom.com/ and purchase her book Eyes, Nose, Belly, Toes.

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.

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As parents in the modern age; we want to undo a lot of the things that didn’t serve us as children and sometimes in our attempts to do better we can swing completely in the other direction and over-validate our children and enable undesired behaviors rather than encourage positive ones. I welcome Zack Kasabo who is a certified school counselor and parent coach. 

We discuss: 

• What enabling of behaviors actually means 
• Why children are learning “learned helplessness” 
• What corrective validation is and how to use it

To connect with Zack Kasabo follow him on Instagram @mybehaviorguide and check out all his resources at https://coachkasabo.info/.

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.

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There is a lot of division and polarizing views when it comes to sleep and things like sleep-training. Sleep training is not a necessity; but many families want to approach it and want to know what the evidence does or doesn’t show. I welcome Sujay Kansagra who is a pediatric neurologist and sleep medicine physician at Duke who has dedicated his life to helping kids (and their parents) sleep better. He knows sleep and the importance of it. 

He joins me to discuss: 

• Terminology and what sleep-training is or isn’t 
• What data and resources we do have surrounding sleep-training and various methods
• Misconceptions surrounding sleep-training

Resources:

Review on Sleep Training Data

Controlled Cortisol and Sleep Training Research Study

“Sleeping Through the Night” Article

Wide Range of Normal Sleep Article

PedsDocTalk Podcast Cry Babies: Cortisol Research and Secure Attachment

To connect with Dr. Sujay Kansagra follow him on Instagram @thatsleepdoc and check out all his resources at https://linktr.ee/thatsleepdoc.

For more watch Dr. Mona's "Handling Infant and Toddler Sleep Regressions" on YouTube.

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. 

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We are constantly going through life transitions and as a new parent it can feel like it’s a CONSTANT. As your child develops, you are constantly going through major transitions as well. Becoming a new mom (or caregiver), maybe going back to work, your child starting school, health issues, etc. Change is constant in our lives but it can sometimes FEEL so hard. I welcome Dr. Krista Klein who has a PhD in interdisciplinary education, scholar, and mother dedicated to supporting other women who are navigating major transitions in their personal and professional lives.

She joins me to discuss: 

• Why change is hard and how we can take control of change
• The “SNAP to Impact” framework for change and why it’s helpful 
• Why processing stress, burnout, and trauma is important in managing major life transitions 

To connect with Krista Klein follow her on Instagram @drkristaklein and head to https://www.drkristaklein.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 Sponsorships page of the website. 

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