Today, Julia and Dr. Rebekah Diamond, author of Parent Like a Pediatrician, focus on parenting newborns and children. Where do you turn when you have questions? When seeking guidance, do you rely on friends, family, or social media input to glean insights from "expert" influencers? Julia and Rebekah discuss how to filter through the well-intentioned relatives and the mistruths on social media to find your own voice and inner wisdom as a parent. This book, and this episode, focus on empowering parents to make data driven choices that suit your own individual goals for how you want to parent. We also discuss Rebekah’s experience as a first time parent and pediatrician, particularly her experience with postpartum depression and anxiety has changed how Rebekah practices and teaches medicine.  Discover valuable insights in this episode as you decide what is best for you and your child. 

 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:24] Rebekah explains she wrote the book because of her experience as a new parent

• [05:23] Rebekah discusses all the information available, but the impracticability of achieving all of those goals

• [08:29] Operating in the “safe range of options” and giving advice regarding parenting

• [18:30] Why the book was helpful for Julia. The book is based on science and not influencers

• [20:40]Rebekah explains why she doesn’t tell a parent what to do and her feelings about the path the medical profession has taken

• [25:48] Rebekah discusses her anxiety and depression and her advice for others

• [30:27] What would Rebekah change in the medical system if she could regarding supporting parents and empowering them

• [37:02] Discussing the breastfeeding concept

• [45:00] Rebekah explains her definition of family

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• There is information on social media about everything you should do as a new parent. However, it is not humanly possible to wrap your mind around all of it, let alone put all those ideas into practice.

• Don’t let social media and influencers set the schedule and do’s and don’ts for your baby or yourself.

• The medical institution needs to do more to support parents.  One size does not fit all. 

 

RESOURCE LINKS:

Stork'd - Facebook

Stork'd - Instagram

Stork'd - YouTube 

Rebekah Diamond - Twitter

Parent Like a Pediatrician - Website

Parent Like a Pediatrician - Instagram

 

BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Rebekah Diamond

I was born in New York City but spent most of my childhood in Connecticut. After high school, I stayed local and received my undergraduate degree from Yale University and my M.D. from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Following completion of my pediatrics residency training at the University of Michigan, I accepted a position as a pediatric hospitalist in New York City and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University, where I still work today.

 

My training and practice mean that it is literally my job to stay up to date on all of the data behind what experts say are the safest and best choices for parents to make for their children. 

 

I’m also a mother of a young daughter and know firsthand the challenge of sorting through conflicting pediatrician and internet recommendations. It’s why I’m here to explain how pediatrician parents actually raise their own kids so you can make the safest, sanest choices for your little ones.