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

Is parenting starting to feel like one giant checklist youre constantly failing?

In this episode, I introduce a powerful mindset shift called Zoom Out Parenting, a way to ditch the guilt, the hyper-tracking, and the unrealistic expectations that make modern parenting feel overwhelming. From picky eating to screen time guilt, wake windows to milestone anxiety, I explore why we spiral into perfectionism and how to step back and focus on what actually matters.



Youll learn:

What Zoom Out Parenting really means



Why zooming in too closely fuels guilt and anxiety



Real-life examples of how to reframe everyday parenting struggles



The one question that can stop a parenting spiral in its track





Wed like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!



00:00 Welcome & Episode Intro

01:05 Why We Need to Zoom Out

02:18 What Zooming Out Really Means

03:06 When Tracking Becomes Hypervigilance

04:04 Guilt, Control, and Letting Go

05:05 Zoom In vs. Zoom Out: Real Parenting Examples

08:03 Development Is a Landscape, Not a Checklist

09:20 The Cost of Always Zooming In

09:56 Tips to Reframe in Real Time

10:39 Zooming Out Isnt DenialIts Clarity

11:03 Intentional Parenting Over Perfect Parenting

11:43 Final Thoughts & Takeaway



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



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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If youve ever brushed off leaking when you laugh, pain during sex, or lingering constipation as just part of being a mom, this episode is your permission slip to stop normalizing whats treatable.

Im joined by a pelvic floor physical therapist who breaks down why your pelvic floor deserves attentionnot just after vaginal birth, but after any pregnancy. We talk about how these muscles are essential to everyday life: from pooping and peeing to core strength, intimacy, and even your mental health.

Youll learn:

Why peeing a little when you sneeze isnt something to just deal with



The truth about C-sections and pelvic floor dysfunction



How scar tissue can impact your recoveryand what to do about it



Simple tricks to improve pooping and peeing posture (yes, even your toddler can benefit!)



Why lifting while holding your breath can be sneaky pelvic floor sabotage



What power peeing isand why you should stop doing it



Whether youre newly postpartum or years into motherhood, its never too late to prioritize this part of your health. This conversation is all about demystifying pelvic floor therapy and empowering you with proactive, shame-free strategies to feel better in your body.

Know better, do betterand lets break the silence around postpartum recovery.



Check out Dr. Sara's new book!

Floored: A Woman's Guide To Pelvic Floor Health At Every Age And Stage The definitive guide to pelvic floor health, written by pelvic floor physical therapist and creator of the Vagina Whisperer, Dr. Sara Reardon.

Pre-Order Today! Save 15% with code FLOORED:15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever wondered whether your child really needs an allergy test? Or have you been tempted by those flashy direct-to-consumer kits, this conversation is a must-listen. Let’s tackle the rise of at-home “food sensitivity” tests, the difference between IgE and IgG, and why a detailed history matters more than any panel of results. 

In this episode, I’m joined once again by pediatric allergist Dr. Dave Stukus to break down what parents really need to know about allergy testing. From food allergies to seasonal sniffles, we dive into when testing is actually helpful—and when it leads to confusion, false positives, and unnecessary food restrictions. 

We discuss: 

Why most at-home food sensitivity tests are misleading—and what to do instead



When allergy testing is truly helpful (and when it backfires)



How to tell the difference between food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities



To connect with Dr. Dave Stukus follow him on Instagram @allergykidsdoc, check out all his resources at https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/find-a-doctor/profiles/david-r-stukus



We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!



00:00 – Intro

01:16 – Why History Matters More Than Tests

03:00 – When Should You Test?

05:26 – False Positives and the Limits of Testing

07:03 – Blood vs. Skin Testing: What's the Difference?

09:07 – Eczema in Infants: To Test or Not to Test?

11:01 – Seasonal Allergies and the Right Time to Test

12:08 – Myth: “Allergy Tests Aren’t Reliable in Infants”

14:20 – The Problem with Food Sensitivity Tests

17:13 – The Red Flags of Unvalidated Testing

20:07 – The Real Harm of Over-Testing

22:35 – Final Takeaway: Ask Questions, Follow the Science

23:27 – The Truth About Panel Testing

25:10 – Can You Test for Seasonal Allergies Year-Round?

26:05 – Where to Follow Dr. Stukus

26:53 – Dr. Mona’s Reflection and Wrap-Up



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



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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does your child snore, mouth breathe, or seem “wired” instead of tired? Are they struggling with sleep—or is something bigger going on?

In this follow-up episode with sleep expert Dr. Shelby Harris, we dive deep into the connection between sleep, behavior, and diagnoses like ADHD. If you’ve ever felt unsure whether your child’s sleep issues are causing daytime struggles—or if the behavioral struggles are disrupting sleep—this episode is for you.

We cover:

🧠 How sleep deprivation can mimic ADHD symptoms



😴 When to suspect sleep apnea—and what signs often get missed



👃 Why mouth breathing in babies and toddlers isn’t “just cute”



🕵🏽‍♀️ The questions to ask before jumping to medication or a diagnosis



💊 A balanced, science-based look at melatonin (when it can help—and when to pause)



🛏️ Real-life stories from Dr. Shelby and Dr. Mona’s parenting journeys



Plus: 💬 How sleep quality impacts everything from emotional regulation to anxiety—and what to look out for at every age.

This episode is all about empowering you with information, not guilt. Because before we assume it’s “just behavior,” we need to explore what’s happening at night.

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and don’t be afraid to advocate for your child’s sleep. It just might be the missing piece.



Struggling with your child's sleep? The Essential Guide to Children's Sleep: a Tired Caregiver’s Workbook for Every Age and Stage offers expert tips and easy tools for every age and stage-so you (and your kid) can finally rest. 

Written by three psychologists (Drs. Roth, Shale and Harris) who are specialists in pediatric behavioral sleep medicine and child psychology, this book is packed with information to help anxious kids and tired parents learn the necessary tips and tricks to help everyone on the road to better sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do newborns get a vitamin K shot—and why has it become the center of so much misinformation online?  If you’ve ever hesitated about this newborn standard, this is the episode that brings clarity and calm.

In this episode, I welcome Dr. Jessica Knurick who has a PhD in Nutrition Science to break down the real reason this shot is recommended at birth, the science behind preventing Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), and where social media gets it wrong. From safety concerns to conspiracy theories, we’re cutting through the noise with evidence, history, and a healthy dose of common sense.

We discuss: 

Why the vitamin K shot is critical for preventing dangerous bleeding in newborns.



The science behind VKDB and how misinformation spreads online.



Evidence-based answers to common myths about vitamin K shot ingredients and safety.



To connect with Dr. Jessica Knurick follow her on Instagram @drjessicaknurick, check out all her resources at https://www.jessicaknurick.com/ 



We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!



00:00 – Intro and Welcome

01:45 – How Dr. Knurick Got Involved in Vitamin K Education

03:00 – “Eyes and Thighs” and What’s Actually in That Bundle

04:10 – What Does the Vitamin K Shot Actually Do?

09:35 – Is VKDB Really That Rare? Let’s Do the Math

12:00 – Real Clinical Cases of VKDB

14:55 – A Pediatrician’s Perspective on Preventable Harm

17:05 – Why Babies Bleed Without Trauma

20:20 – Shot vs. Oral Vitamin K: What the Data Says

23:00 – Compliance, Safety, and Why Simplicity Matters

25:10 – Advice for Parents Feeling Overwhelmed by Conflicting Info

28:00 – Final Thoughts and Where to Find Dr. Knurick



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



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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices