The Parenting Brief

You’ve heard of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. But what about the 4th trimester? In the weeks following the birth of your baby, both you and your newborn will undergo major emotional and physical changes. And the sudden drop off in care, check-ups, and monitoring might leave you feeling overwhelmed, unsure, and even lonely.

To help you know what to expect during the 4th trimester, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Elizabeth Wood, Co-Founder and Educator at Matrescence 4th Trimester Planning and Support. Elizabeth tells you how you can care for yourself and your baby during the 4th trimester and how partners can lend a helping hand. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program 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:

Fact Sheet: The 4th Trimester

Matrescence

Guest: Elizabeth Wood

Healthy Families Arizona

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Are you and your baby prepared for the hot summer months? Toddlers and babies have a hard time regulating their body temperature, and that puts them at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. But don’t worry, we’ll tell you about the warning signs and how to keep your little ones cool, comfortable, and safe.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Matt Roach, Epidemiology Program Manager for the Climate and Health, Drinking Water, and Environmental Public Health Tracking Programs at the Arizona Department of Health Services. They discuss the danger of hot temperatures, tell you how to see the signs of heat exhaustion, and help you prepare your children for hot weather.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program 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:

Preventing Heat-Related Illness

Heat and Infants and Children

Guest: Matt Roach

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Summertime is here! As we get ready for some fun in the sun with our kiddos, avoiding painful sunburns is top of mind. Babies and toddlers have delicate skin that puts them at a higher risk of skin damage from the sun’s powerful UV rays. But staring at the endless shelves of sunblock options can be overwhelming!

To help you prepare your children for outdoor adventures, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Sergio Perez, SunWise Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services. They give you a checklist of sun safety measures to help you protect your little one from the sun’s rays.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program 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:

SunWise

Sun Safety Tips

CDC Sun Safety Tips for Families

University of Arizona Skin Cancer Institute

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

As our babies and toddlers begin to explore their surroundings, they’ll put anything into their mouths. Many accessories, old furniture, and other objects could contain traces of lead, making it crucial that families protect their little ones against lead exposure. 

On this episode, learn what household objects to keep out of reach from your children and how to identify the symptoms of lead poisoning. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez visits with Ginny De La Cruz, the Program Manager of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Ginny explains the risks of lead poisoning and how you can create a safe household environment for your kids. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program 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:

Learn more about lead poisoning

High-risk areas in Arizona

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

As parents, we want nothing more than to have well-behaved children. But teaching kids right from wrong isn’t simple. When they throw a tantrum, do we put them in time out? Or do we just walk away? 

To share best practices for discipline, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Dr. Randy Ahn, Implementation Consultant at the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P). Do you have a child that whines or throws tantrums? These positive parenting tips can help you resolve household conflicts in a healthy, constructive manner. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program 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:

Positive Parenting Program

Triple P Blog

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Sitting your toddler down in front of the TV is a go-to solution for busy parents. It can keep your child entertained while you tackle your endless to-do list. But managing screen time, including how much and what your child is watching, presents another challenge. Is there such a thing as too much TV? Also, what programs and apps are available to help them grow and learn?

Dr. Michael Robb, Senior Director of Research at Common Sense Media, joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez. They discuss the most common concerns regarding TV time and tablets, ways to avoid tantrums when it’s time to turn off the device, and how to make the most of child-friendly apps, shows, and digital games. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program 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:

Common Sense Media

Screen Time in the Age of the Coronavirus

Michael Robb, Ph.D. 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Introducing table foods into your baby’s diet can raise many questions for parents. How will you know your baby is ready to transition to solid foods? And how do you monitor for potential allergies?

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by nutrition expert Alan Brown, the Women, Infant, and Children program’s training manager at the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity within Arizona’s Department of Health Services. Together, they tell you how to know when your baby is ready for table foods. Get step-by-step tips to help you introduce solid foods safely, and learn how to spot possible allergies and food sensitivities.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program 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:

CDC: When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods

Nutrition for Babies

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

When it comes to your baby’s health, being proactive is key! That’s why newborn screenings are so important for identifying serious medical conditions early on. But what specific conditions are doctors looking for during newborn screenings? And what should first-time moms expect?

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzales takes her audience through the newborn screening process step by step with Fran Altmaier, case management coordinator for the Office of Newborn Screening-Follow up at the Arizona Department of Health Services. From the first heel prick test to understanding the final results, learn how newborn screenings contribute to your baby’s health and wellness.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program 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:

Newborn Screening Help

CDC: Newborn Screening Portal

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Let’s talk about talking! Speaking with your baby is key to fostering early literacy and language development.  But for many parents, it might feel awkward or unnatural to talk to your baby. 

On this episode, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Kat Willard, Senior Director of Family Support and Literacy at First Things First, who shares creative ways to have intentional conversations with your little one.

From singing songs to telling stories, learn how you can spark meaningful communication with your child. Let’s get talking!

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program 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:

Smart Talk

First Things First

Read On Arizona

Reach Out & Read

The 3Ts

For both moms and babies, sleep is important! But putting your newborn to sleep can be challenging for new and experienced parents alike. 

On this episode, pro mom and host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez covers tips and tricks for implementing the ABCs of safe sleep with Yomaira Diaz Castillo, Injury Prevention Manager at the Arizona Department of Health. 

Learn how you and your baby can comfortably and safely fit in some well needed Z’s. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program 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’s Birth to Five Helpline

Safe Kids Sleep Safety Tips

Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Education