Your Child is Normal: with Dr Jessica Hochman

Latest Episodes:

Ep 121: “Mommy brain”! what it is and how to offer support, with Jodi Pawluski, neuroscientist and psychologist Jan 29, 2024

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Episode 121 of Ask Dr Jessica with Jodi Pawluski, a neuroscientist and psychologist, discusses how we can support mothers throughout pregnancy and in the postpartum period. She explains the concept of the 'mommy brain', and how the brain adapts to the demands of motherhood. Jodi emphasizes the importance of understanding the normal range of emotions during pregnancy and postpartum. She also discusses the importance of sleep and self-care, nutrition, movement and exercise, social interaction and the importance of mental health support, and therapy for postpartum depression.

Takeaways

Sleep is crucial for maternal well-being, and finding ways to prioritize and improve sleep can have a significant impact on mental health.
Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet, and regular movement is important for both physical and mental health during the postpartum period.
In-person social interaction is essential for maternal mental health
Seeking mental health support, including therapy and medication, is important for mothers experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety.

To learn more from Dr Jodi Pawluski follow her on instagram @dr.jodi_pawluski, and check out her website: www.jodipawluski.com
Also, read her book! "Mommy Brain!"

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.
Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube: Ask Dr Jessica

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The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals. If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.

Ep 120: How to make parenting around food feel less hard, with Dr Sheila Carroll, Pediatrician and Obesity Medicine Physician Jan 22, 2024

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Dr. Sheila Carroll, a board-certified pediatrician and certified life coach, discusses her transition from clinical medicine to helping parents and families navigate childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles. She emphasizes the importance of understanding emotional eating and finding natural pleasures as alternatives to unhealthy food choices. Dr. Carroll also provides practical advice on creating healthy shopping lists, reading food labels, and avoiding added sugars. She encourages parents to focus on health rather than weight when discussing these topics with their children and highlights the significance of unconditional love in promoting positive change.

Takeaways

Understanding emotional eating and finding natural pleasures can help promote healthier food choices.
Creating a healthy shopping list, with whole, real foods over processed foods and reading food labels can help reduce the consumption of added sugars.
Focusing on health rather than weight when discussing food and lifestyle choices with children
Unconditional love and acceptance from parents are crucial in supporting children's well-being and promoting healthy habits.
Genetic factors can contribute to obesity, but lifestyle choices still play a significant role.
Humans evolved to store fat for survival, but modern lifestyles and abundant food availability work against us.
Parents have a responsibility to make healthy food choices for their children, even if it may be met with resistance.

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Ep 119: How to strive for greatness in parenting! with Saul Blinkoff, "Life of Awesome" podcast host Jan 15, 2024

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Ask Dr Jessica epiosde 119. In this conversation, Disney animator, motivational speaker and "Life of Awesome" podcast host, Saul Blinkoff shares his insights on raising children and helping them pursue their dreams. He emphasizes the importance of discovering one's unique purpose and stepping out of the comfort zone to achieve personal growth. Saul also highlights the significance of supporting children's dreams and providing them with the belief and encouragement they need. He discusses the difference between happiness and a meaningful life, and how parents can nurture their children's gifts and passions. In this conversation, Saul Blinkoff shares his insights and experiences on being a devoted parent and emphasizes the value of investing time and effort in parenting. He encourages parents to strive for greatness and to continuously grow as human beings through the act of being a parent.

Takeaways

Create memorable experiences with your children by engaging in imaginative play and taking them to different places.
Invest quality time in your children and prioritize open communication to build trust and connection.
Motivate yourself to be a devoted parent by reflecting on your own experiences and the impact it has on your children.
Love is about giving and being present for your children. Focus on giving your time and attention.
Strive for greatness in parenting by continuously growing as a human being and putting in the effort to be the best parent you can be.

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Ep 118: How to help our children form a healthy relationship with food? With Charlene Lichtash, MD Obesity specialist Jan 08, 2024

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Happy New Year! To bring in the new year, this weeks Ask Dr Jessica talks to Dr. Charlene Lichtash, a board-certified internal medicine resident who specializes in obesity medicine and metabolic health, discusses strategies for raising children with a healthy relationship with food. Dr. Lichtash advises parents to teach their children to differentiate between whole and processed foods and to focus on replacing rather than restricting foods. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying issues that may drive children to misuse food. Dr. Lichtash also provides tips and guidance on how to help younger children develop a healthy relationship with food.
Dr Lichtash
To find out more about Dr Lichtash her website is www.drlichtash.com. She founded her clinic with the purpose of bringing a comprehensive solution to weight-related issues. She works with her patients one-on-one and help them heal both their physical and emotional hunger, correct any metabolic disease caused by hormonal drivers of weight, and help remove the burden of weight-related concerns. Dr Lichtash's work is deep and individualized.

Takeaways

Understanding the health consequences of obesity
Teaching children to differentiate between whole and processed foods can help them make healthier choices.
Creating a positive and unemotional language around food is important for developing a healthy relationship with food.
Misusing food can be a sign that a child is feeling unresolved or incongruent in some way.

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Ep 117: How to reduce fear and anxiety around vaccines? with Jody Thomas, CEO of Meg Foundation for pain Dec 18, 2023

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Jody Thomas, a clinical health psychologist and CEO of the Meg Foundation for pain, discusses strategies to reduce fear and anxiety around needles in children. Many children are affected by anxiety around vaccinations, and the Meg Foundation offers support to families to help. She provides practical advice for parents to prepare their children for vaccinations, including creating a plan, using positive language, and considering other techniques such as utilizing numbing cream and vibration. The conversation also highlights the efficiency and improved patient experience that can be achieved by implementing these techniques. Check out the printable poke plan and other helpful resources on the Meg Foundation website.

Takeaways

Fear and anxiety around needles can significantly impact vaccination rates and healthcare decisions.
Parents can help reduce fear by creating a plan, using positive language, and other strategies.
Healthcare providers play a crucial role in supporting families and can offer strategies such as comfort positioning and giving choices.
Empowering children in healthcare and addressing fear early can have long-term positive effects on their healthcare experiences.
Spreading the message of effective pain management techniques to pediatricians and parents is crucial for improving the overall experience of children receiving medical care.

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Ep 116: Nourished, Connection, Food and Caring for our kids, w/ Dr Deborah MacNamara Dec 11, 2023

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On this episode of Ask Dr Jessica, Deborah MacNamara discusses her new book 'Nourished' Connection Food and Caring for our Kids. She explores the challenges of picky eating and the evolutionary perspective on food preferences. She provides practical tips for parents of picky eaters and highlights the significance of creating a positive mealtime environment. MacNamara also addresses nutritional concerns and the importance of trusting the process. She discusses the connection between food and relationship dynamics and the impact of external factors on food challenges. Macnamara emphasizes the the importance of small steps and progress in eating. She explores the role of food as an expression of love and connection and discusses the decline of family meals and its impact on attachment. She concludes by highlighting the power of simple acts of care and nourishment and the ultimate goal of parenting: attachment and legacy. To learn more about Dr MacNamara and her new book, check out her website.

Takeaways

The relationship between food and attachment is crucial in shaping children's eating habits and preferences.
Creating a positive mealtime environment and focusing on connection and relationship can help address picky eating challenges.
Parents should provide a variety of healthy foods and allow children to decide the quantity they eat.
Family meals and rituals around food are important for fostering attachment and togetherness.
Trusting the process and focusing on the bigger picture can alleviate stress and guilt around food and eating.

To learn more about Dr MacNamara: https://macnamara.ca/nourished/
In addition to being the author of "Nourished", she has also written a book called "Rest, Play Grow" discussing attachment and development of children.

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Ep 115: When do kids see a plastic surgeon? w/ Andrew Cohen MD Dec 04, 2023

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Episode 115 of Ask Dr Jessica, Dr Andrew Cohen, a board certified plastic surgeon practicing in the valley of Southern California discusses the overlap between pediatrics and plastic surgery. He explains what a plastic surgeon is and the history of plastic surgery. Dr. Cohen also shares the procedures he performs, including breast reductions for teenagers and gynecomastia surgery for boys. He provides advice on when to refer patients to a plastic surgeon for lacerations and the timing of closure. Dr. Cohen discusses aftercare for scars and addresses common questions about mole removal and dog bites. He also talks about advancements and trends in plastic surgery.

Takeaways

Plastic surgery and pediatrics have overlapping areas, such as breast reductions for teenagers and gynecomastia surgery for boys.
When referring patients for lacerations, consider the location and complexity of the wound, such as those near the vermilion border or involving the eye or eyelid.
Aftercare for scars can include silicone sheeting or cream, vitamin E, and sun protection.
Timing for scar revision surgery is typically around one year after the initial procedure.
To follow Dr Cohen, he is actively on instagram: @andrewcohenmd
His website: Drandrewcohen.com
And his office is located at: 5400 Balboa Blvd, Suite 217, Encino CA 91316

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Ep 114: Grow Wild--how to get our kids to move more outside! Katy Bowman Nov 27, 2023

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Katy Bowman is a biomechanist, best selling author of 10 books, a movement educator, and you may have heard of her amazing podcast— Move your DNA—which talks about how we can all add more movement to our lives. Today we are going to talk about her latest book —Grow Wild, which is an inspirational guide to getting kids to move more outside.

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Ep 113: How should parents handle "unwanted behaviors"--like anger, lying and swearing? with Dr Siggie Cohen Nov 20, 2023

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Episode 113 of Ask Dr Jessica is part 2 with Dr Siggie--and on this episode we talk about unwanted behaviors--like anger, lying and use of swear words--and how parents should approach children with these behaviors.
Dr Siggie is a mom of three and child developmental specialist with over 35 years experience. She has also become an instagram sensation (with over 1 million followers) because of her calm, purposeful and helpful parenting advice. She gives parents direct instruction and advice to help increase connection between parents and their children.
To learn more from Dr Siggie, please follow her on instagram: @dr.siggie and check out her website: www.drsiggie.com.

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Ep 112: Sibling rivalry, advice for parents! with Dr Siggie! Nov 13, 2023

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On this weeks episode of Ask Dr Jessica, we are excited to welcome back Dr Siggie Cohen! We discuss sibling rivalry and how parents should approach sibling conflict.
Dr Siggie is a mom of three and child developmental specialist with over 35 years experience. She has also become an instagram sensation (with over 1 million followers) because of her calm, purposeful and helpful parenting advice. She gives parents direct instruction and advice to help increase connection between parents and their children.
To learn more from Dr Siggie, please follow her on instagram: @dr.siggie and check out her website: www.drsiggie.com.

Shop my favorite products for kids on Amazon here

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