The Parenting Brief

If you are a new parent, feeding your newborn can raise a lot of questions. But don’t worry, this episode covers everything you need to know to make sure your baby is getting all the nutrients needed, whether you're using breast milk or formula.

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez talks to Amanda Shumway, the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program Manager for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Arizona WIC Program 24 Hour Breastfeeding Hotline

To participate in the Arizona WIC Peer Counseling Program or to work with WIC Registered Dieticians, you must be enrolled in the WIC program. Find out if you qualify here.

To find out if you are eligible to join the WIC Staff Breastfeeding Boot Camp, contact Amanda Shumway at [email protected] or Zarina Ahlstrom at [email protected]

Are you a parent struggling to get your little one to fall asleep? Well, you're not alone! Sleep is essential for a child's healthy development and well-being, but sometimes it can be a real challenge. One safe and effective way to help children fall asleep is by giving them melatonin.

Jessica chats with Dr. Rupali Drewek, the medical director of the Sleep Disorders Program at Phoenix Children's Hospital and a board certified pediatrician. Dr. Drewek answers all important questions about melatonin and explains sleep hygiene.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Are you planning to have a party with family and friends? We have a guide to help make sure your celebration is safe for kids who may be in attendance. Jessica sits down with Emily Flanigan, the Program Strategy Specialist of Children's Health at First Things First, to discuss how to keep kids safe during family gatherings, especially when alcohol and breakable dishes are involved. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Home Safety Checklist

Household Safety for Babies

First Things First

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

​​Regular home maintenance can prevent accidents before they happen. It's easy to stay on top of these necessary chores by setting yearly reminders. That way, you won't fall behind on checking to make sure things like plumbing vents and traps are in working order for the year.

Jessica speaks with Adam Rodriguez, the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program Director at the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at the Arizona Department of Health Services, about how to keep your home safe for you and your family. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Fire Safety

AZDHS: Home Safety Tips

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Infant Sensory Screenings measure a newborn’s hearing and seeing. When hearing loss is detected early on, families can start exploring interventions sooner to support their little ones as they grow up.

Jessica chats with Morgan Scadden, Sensory Screening Program Manager with the Arizona Department of Health Services, about the screening process and why it's important to take the screening seriously.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

NTRC: Arizona Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Information

AZDHS Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Baby Hearing.org

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

It can feel like a headache to figure out what car seat is right for a child. Rear-facing car seat, combination seat, or booster seat? That’s why we made this follow-up car seat episode, to help parents safely buckle their kiddos in the car and know when it’s time to transition from a car seat to a booster seat. 

Yomaira Castillo chats with host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez about resources available to help parents with car seats. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

NHTSA: Find The Right Seat

Safe Kids Worldwide: Ultimate Car Seat Guide

Safe Kids Arizona

Season 1 The Parenting Brief: Buckle Up! Car Seat Safety

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls according to data from the CDC. That’s because the traditional signs of autism are often difficult to detect depending on the gender a child is assigned at birth. Our guest explains the signs parents should look for and what to do if they think their little one may be showing signs of autism. 

Jessica speaks with Dr. Christopher J. Smith, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center's Chief Science Officer, to learn more about the different ways autism can present in children. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center: Resources and Guides

Arizona Early Intervention Program

The Parenting Brief: Early Intervention for Autism

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Christopher J. Smith, Ph.D.

You may have seen an announcement for product recalls on the news or even received notice of a recall from a product you’ve bought in the past. It’s critical to stay up to date about these recalls so that you can have a safe and healthy home environment.

Jessica sits down with Teresa Murray, the Consumer Watchdog for the Arizona PIRG Education Fund and author of the Safe At Home Product recalls report, to find out more about product recalls and tools parents can use to easily get recall alerts. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

U.S. PIRG: NEW REPORT: Product recalls

SaferProducts.gov

Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls

The Parenting Brief: Lead Poisoning: Signs, Risks, and Prevention

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can't make enough insulin during your pregnancy. It can be scary for many folks but the good news is – the condition is treatable and often goes away after pregnancy. 

Jessica speaks with Raquelle Weight, a Staff Development Specialist at the Arizona Department of Health Services in the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity, to explain how this condition can affect your pregnancy and ways to prevent it from developing. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

ADHS: Diabetes Program

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Routine doctor appointments are important to make sure your kiddo grows up healthy, but navigating the medical system can be overwhelming. This episode explains how often to expect a doctor's visit, how to find the right provider for your family, and what you should know about telehealth pediatrician check-ups.

Jessica speaks with Dr. Miran Song, an Arizona pediatrician and a board member of the Arizona chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, about what parents should expect when searching for a healthcare provider for their little one.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Arizona Chapter of theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics: Dr. Miran Song

Arizona Health Start Program

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez