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

More and more women are getting diagnosed with ADHD later in life, often after becoming parents, and it’s not because ADHD is “trending.” It’s because we’ve missed it for decades.

In this conversation, I talk with psychiatrist and author Dr. Sasha Hamdani about why ADHD in girls and women often goes unnoticed, how hormones and motherhood reveal hidden symptoms, and why self-understanding can be so freeing. We discuss stigma, emotional regulation, anxiety, and how parenting can bring clarity to our own neurodiversity.

If you’ve ever wondered why things got harder after kids, or why your child’s diagnosis suddenly made your own life make more sense, this episode will feel like a deep exhale.

We discuss:

Why ADHD in girls and women often gets overlooked

How hormonal shifts during puberty, postpartum, and perimenopause can unmask ADHD

The difference between anxiety-driven distraction and true ADHD

How parenting adds new executive function challenges that make symptoms more visible

The role of emotional regulation in ADHD—and why it’s missing from the diagnostic criteria

How a late diagnosis can change the way you see yourself and parent your kids

To connect with Dr. Sasha Hamdani follow her on Instagram @thepsychdoctormd and

 check out all her resources at https://www.drhamdanimd.com/.

00:00 - Intro

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

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

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: ⁠https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk⁠ (paid link)

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

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

Sleep training might be one of the most debated topics in parenting but it doesn’t have to be so polarizing. In this Follow-Up episode, I revisit my most downloaded episode, “We’re Losing Sleep Over Our Kids’ Sleep,” to talk honestly about what sleep training really means, the methods that exist, and how to decide what’s right for your family.

You’ll learn:

Want more? Listen to the original full episode.

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

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: ⁠https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk⁠ (paid link)

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

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

We’re raising girls in a world where filters are the norm, “what I eat in a day” videos flood their feeds, and puberty hits earlier than ever. It’s no wonder body image struggles start young.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Melisa Holmes to talk about how parents can help their daughters build confidence in their changing bodies without shame, fear, or comparison. We’ll cover how to talk about puberty in age-appropriate ways, what to do when kids start noticing body differences, and how to handle tricky moments like when your child says, “I feel fat.”

You’ll also learn:

Why body image starts long before puberty

What not to say (and what helps instead)

How your own body talk shapes how your child feels about theirs

How social media is shaping kids’ self-worth—and what parents can do about it

To connect with Dr. Melisa Holmes check out all her resources at https://girlology.com/.  Follow her on Instagram at @dr.melisa.holmes and @girlology. 

For 20% off an annual subscription (after a free 7 day trial) go HERE and use this code: PedsDocTalk to activate your discount.

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 – The First Signs of Body Image Struggles

02:03 – Welcome, Dr. Melisa Holmes

03:06 – Breaking the Silence Between Generations

04:01 – Media, AI, and the Shifting Ideal

04:48 – Why It Starts So Young

07:02 – Boys, Girls, and Body Pressure

08:33 – Growing Up in a Filtered World

09:34 – Teaching Media Literacy and Self-Protection

12:07 – Modeling Confidence from the Start

15:23 – How Parents Pass Down Body Shame

20:22 – Reclaiming Joy in Food and Movement

22:49 – Puberty Talks Without the Awkwardness

26:51 – Raising Compassionate Boys Too

30:33 – Supporting Emotional Changes in Puberty

33:33 – What Every Girl Should Know About Her Body

36:22 – Parents, Schools, and the Role of Education

38:40 – Final 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.

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: ⁠https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk⁠ (paid link)

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

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

No one prepares you for how much your relationship changes after having a baby. The exhaustion, hormones, mental load, and body changes all take a toll on desire and closeness, and it’s rarely talked about honestly.

In this Follow Up episode, Dr. Mona talks with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish about what really happens to intimacy after baby. They unpack why desire often dips postpartum, how to reconnect emotionally and physically, and why great sex isn’t about frequency. It’s about connection, communication, and redefining what intimacy looks like now.

This episode is for any parent who’s ever thought something’s changed between us and I don’t know how to fix it. You’re not broken, you’re human, and this conversation will help you find your way back to each other.

Why desire often drops after childbirth and how to understand it without shame

How hormones, sleep, and stress affect intimacy

The difference between spontaneous and responsive desire

How to start rebuilding emotional connection in 10 minutes a day

The role of small rituals like check-ins, laughter, and simple touch in rekindling closeness

Why there’s no normal amount of sex, only what feels right for you and your partner

Ways to talk openly about what you both want and need

Dr. Tracy's new book, "You, Your Husband, and His Mother" is now on sale: Order your copy here.

Want more? Check out the full episode.

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

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: ⁠https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk⁠ (paid link)

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

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

What happens when a chiropractor decides to go to medical school? In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Richard Schoonmaker, a former chiropractor turned osteopathic medical student, to talk about why he made the switch, what he learned about evidence-based care, and how chiropractic and medicine can actually work together when done responsibly.

What We Discuss:

Why Dr. Schoonmaker left chiropractic to pursue medicine

The difference between chiropractic and osteopathic training

How to spot red flags in online chiropractic content

The truth about chiropractic care for babies and kids

What evidence-based, collaborative care could look like

How modern medicine can build trust by listening better

To connect with Richard Schoonmaker follow him on Instagram at @richs_oms2 and TikTok at @rich_oms2. 

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

02:00 – Meet Dr. Richard Schoonmaker

03:00 – From Chiropractic to Medicine

07:15 – What He Took From Chiropractic Into Medicine

08:15 – Evidence-Based Chiropractic vs. Online Myths

10:00 – Why Some Chiropractors Go Viral (and Off the Rails)

16:00 – How Chiropractors Are Trained (and Where Gaps Exist)

21:20 – The Lack of Oversight in Pediatric Chiropractic Care

24:00 – The Supportive (Not Substitutive) Role of Chiropractic

28:30 – Common Reasons Parents Seek Chiropractic Care for Kids

33:10 – What the Research Actually Supports

36:30 – Understanding OMM in Osteopathic Medicine

40:00 – Why Context Matters: Symptom Relief vs. Causation

43:00 – The True Meaning of Holistic Care

45:00 – Calling Out Misinformation Responsibly

48:00 – The Real Reason Patients Seek Alternative Care

49:40 – Building a Better Relationship Between Chiropractors and Physicians

51:45 – How Parents Can Find a Safe, Evidence-Based Chiropractor

54:50 – Final Thoughts and Where to Find Richard

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

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: ⁠https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk⁠ (paid link)

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

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

We’ve all heard the phrase breast is best. But is it really that simple? In this episode, I sit down with an expert to talk honestly about what the research actually says about breastfeeding and where the science gets murky.

We break down what’s fact, what’s myth, and why so much of the “breast is best” messaging comes from data that’s more correlation than causation. From IQ to obesity to immune health, we unpack what studies really measure (and what they don’t).

I also share my own story as a pediatrician who planned to breastfeed but ended up formula-feeding my son after a difficult birth and ICU stay. That experience shaped how I talk to parents today because feeding your baby should never come with shame.

We discuss:

Why most breastfeeding research isn’t based on randomized trials

How socioeconomic factors shape the data we see on long-term “benefits”

The difference between short-term and long-term outcomes

What sibling studies tell us about IQ, weight, and immunity

Why guilt over feeding choices can actually take away from connection

The importance of supporting all feeding journeys—breast, bottle, or both

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

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

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: ⁠https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk⁠ (paid link)

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

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 you’ve ever wondered why traditional discipline like timeouts, threats, punishments feel off or doesn’t actually work, this episode will change the way you see toddler behavior.

I’m joined by Devon Kuntzman, toddler expert and founder of Transforming Toddlerhood, to talk about how we can move from managing our kids’ behavior to teaching through it. We unpack why toddlers act out, how to handle power struggles without punishment, and how parents can stay calm (and human) in those messy moments. Devon shares her framework for effective discipline, the difference between natural and arbitrary consequences, and the long game of raising emotionally intelligent kids.

We discuss:

Why toddlerhood isn’t “terrible”—it’s transformational and  what’s really happening in the toddler brain

Why punishment feels effective short-term but harms long-term growth

The 3 parts of effective discipline: connection, limits, and teaching skills

How to pause before reacting when you’re triggered and the power of noticing positive behavior

How to reframe “bad” behavior as communication

The one question that can change how you discipline

To connect with Devon Kuntzman check out all her resources at https://www.transformingtoddlerhood.com/.  Follow her on Instagram at @transformingtoddlerhood. And purchase her brand new book “Transforming Toddlerhood” available now: https://go.shopmy.us/p-65453577 (paid link)

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 – The mindset shift: Teach, don’t punish

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

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: ⁠https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk⁠ (paid link)

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

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

As a pediatrician, I know how stressful it can feel when you’re filling out those developmental questionnaires at your child’s checkup. You check a few “no” boxes, and suddenly you’re spiraling! What does this mean? Should I be worried?

In this episode, I sit down with an autism specialist to talk through what some of those screening questions actually mean and how they’re meant to be interpreted. We look at common items from the M-CHAT like pointing, pretend play, and responding to their name and unpack why these aren’t simple yes-or-no milestones.

We talk about what’s typical, what might be worth keeping an eye on, and how to bring up your concerns in a productive way with your child’s doctor. Most importantly, we discuss why one missed skill doesn’t equal a diagnosis, and how to focus on the whole picture of your child’s development.

We discuss:

Why the M-CHAT can sometimes create more confusion than clarity

What “joint attention” looks like in real life (and why it matters)

Why pretend play is about creativity, not just copying

What finger posturing means—and why it’s often a self-soothing behavior

When to worry about your child not responding to their name

How delayed babbling fits into speech and language development

How to ask your child’s clinician the right follow-up questions when you’re worried

Want more? Listen to the original, full episode.

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

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: ⁠https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk⁠ (paid link)

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

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

This week, I sit down with two incredible guests to unpack one of the most talked-about (and misunderstood) press conferences in recent months. I’m joined by Dr. Tanya Altmann, pediatrician and founder of Calabasas Pediatrics Wellness Center, and Dr. Anshu Batra, developmental-behavioral pediatrician and autism specialist, to separate fact from fear when it comes to Tylenol, leucovorin, and autism.

We talk about what the latest research actually shows, what parents should know, and why conversations about autism deserve more nuance and empathy than political headlines.

We discuss:

What current research tells us about autism’s causes, including the strong role of genetics and the complex mix of environmental and developmental factors.

Why studies on Tylenol and autism don’t prove causation, and how correlation has been misunderstood in headlines and online discussions.

How leucovorin (folinic acid) may support some children with autism, why it’s not a cure, and what doctors are actually seeing in practice.

The connection between micronutrients, gut health, and neurodevelopment, plus real barriers families face in getting lab work and supplements covered.

What early screen exposure can do to developing brains, and why less screen time and more real-world interaction matter for young children.

Where research and funding need to go next, from identifying subtypes of autism to improving access to early intervention and therapeutic schools.

To connect with Dr. Tanya Altmann check out all her resources at Drtanya.com.  Follow her on Instagram at @drtanyaaltmann.

00:00 Introduction

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

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

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: ⁠https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk⁠ (paid link)

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

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

The American school system was built to measure performance but at what cost? In this Follow Up episode, Dr. Mona sits down with Lauren Smith, a former educator and nationally certified school psychologist, to unpack how our current approach to education fuels anxiety, burnout, and perfectionism in kids.

They dive into the ripple effects of over-testing, constant competition, and the push to perform that begins as early as kindergarten. From standardized tests to college rankings, the conversation explores how a culture obsessed with metrics is stealing creativity, rest, and joy from learning — and what real change could look like.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why kids are more anxious than ever about school and grades

How over-testing and Common Core shape classroom pressure

The downstream effects of perfectionism on teens and college students

How teacher burnout connects to testing culture

What other countries are doing differently — and better

Why “slowing down” might be the most radical educational reform

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

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

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: ⁠https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk⁠ (paid link)

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

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