Your Child is Normal: with Dr Jessica Hochman – Details, episodes & analysis

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by speech-language pathologist and mom of three Melissa Minney, founder of Raising Little Talkers® and the Little Talkers® course for parents of babies and toddlers. Melissa has helped tens of thousands of families feel more confident supporting their child’s speech and language at home. 

In this episode, we talk about:

• The most common speech concerns parents have
• How common late talking actually is – and how many kids catch up on their own
• What typical speech and language milestones look like (with realistic ranges, not scary rigid cutoffs)
• What really counts as a “word” (animal sounds, “uh-oh,” “wawa” for water, etc.)
• Simple ways to encourage language at home: narrating, following your child’s lead, using sign, music, and books
• Why screens displace real-life interaction 
• Myth-busting:
  • “Boys just talk later.”
  • “Two languages will confuse my child.”
  • “The older sibling talks for them, that’s why they’re delayed.”
  • “They’re just being stubborn and refusing to use their words.”
• If you’re worried about your child’s speech, or just want to be proactive, this episode is meant to reassure you, give you concrete benchmarks, and remind you that needing support doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” with your child. Your child is normal – and there is so much you can do at home to help them communicate and feel understood. 

Connect with Melissa / Raising Little Talkers®:

• Website & blog: raisinglittletalkers.com
  raisinglittletalkers.com
• Free class: “Help your toddler say more words” – learn the 5-step Little Talkers® method
  👉 learn.raisinglittletalkers.com/workshop
  learn.raisinglittletalkers.com
• Little Talkers® self-paced online course for parents of babies and toddlers (about 2 hours, broken into short, practical videos)
  raisinglittletalkers.com+1
• Instagram: @raisinglittletalkers

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA 

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only.  She does not diagnose medical conditi...

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Episode 210 of Your Child is Normal is a conversation discussing everything you've ever wondered about UTIs! 

It’s common for kids to occasionally feel discomfort when they pee — but how do you know when it’s something that needs more attention, like a urinary tract infection?

In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with pediatric urologist Dr. Andrew Kirsch, author of The Ultimate Bedwetting Survival Guide, about everything parents should know about UTIs in children — from the most common symptoms to when to see a doctor.

They discuss:

• How UTIs present differently in babies vs. older kids
• Why constipation is one of the biggest risk factors
• When testing and antibiotics are necessary
• What really works for prevention — hydration, bathroom habits, and (maybe!) cranberry extract
• Common myths, like whether bubble baths cause infections

If your child has ever had burning with urination, frequent accidents, or unexplained fevers, this episode will help you feel more confident about what to do next.

Dr. Kirsch  completed both a residency in general surgery and urology at the Columbia University and he completed his fellowship in pediatric urology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.He has written extensively with an emphasis on vesicoureteral reflux diagnosis and management, publishing nearly 300 journal articles and book chapters. Currently, Dr. Kirsch is a professor and chief of pediatric urology at Emory University School of Medicine and a partner at Georgia Urology.   Dr. Kirsch has been named in Atlanta Magazine’s Best Doctors and The Best Doctors in America list, representing the top 5% of doctors in America.

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA 

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only.  She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Bianca Edison, a pediatric sports medicine and orthopedic physician, to discuss the critical issues surrounding youth sports. Dr. Edison shares her journey into sports medicine and emphasizes the importance of balancing athletic activities for young athletes. The discussion covers overtraining, the significance of rest and recovery, the impact of burnout, and practical advice for preventing common sports injuries in children. We also dive into the importance of sleep, quality nutrition, and healthy exercise habits. This episode offers valuable insights for parents, coaches, and young athletes aiming for long-term health and enjoyment in sports.

 Dr. Bianca Edison is a pediatric sports medicine and orthopedic physician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at USC’s Keck School of Medicine. She received her MD from Baylor College of Medicine, completed pediatrics internship and residency at UCLA (where she served as Chief Resident), and pursued a sports medicine fellowship at CHLA. Bianca’s clinical work focuses on overuse injuries, injury prevention, dance medicine, and concussion—helping young athletes stay healthy and love movement for life.

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA 

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only.  She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send us Fan Mail

This weeks episode of Ask Dr Jessica is part 2 with Dr David Epstein, a practicing board-certified pediatrician and pediatric critical care physician. In this episode we will discuss bites--how to avoid them and how to treat them!  We talk about bee stings, insect bites, cat bites, dog bites and even human bites! 

Please follow Dr Epstein on instagram @davidepsteinmd.  He also has a podcast called "Dr Dave's Pediatric Pearl's Podcast".  Also, check out his website!

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA 

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only.  She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send us Fan Mail

This weeks episode of Ask Dr Jessica with Dr David Epstein, a practicing board-certified pediatrician and pediatric critical care physician. In this episode we will hear  Dr Epstein's thoughts about common injuries in children that Dr Epstein sees while working in an urgent care--including how to treat and how to avoid common pediatric injuries.  We discuss topics like basic wound care , avoiding ingestions, and best practices to avoid drownings.  This part 1 of a 2 part interview.

Please follow Dr Epstein on instagram @davidepsteinmd.  He also has a podcast called "Dr Dave's Pediatric Pearl's Podcast".  Also, check out his website!

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA 

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only.  She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 108 of Ask Dr Jessica with Kaili Zeiher.  Kaili is a pediatric occupational therapist and mom of three, and she hosts a podcast called "Chaos to connected".  Kaili started her podcast because she was struggling with her son's behavior, and she found  using traditional discipline, with consequences, bribes and punishment just wasn't effective.  She uses a  parenting technique, called "Hand in Hand parenting", which focuses on helping our kids behavior improve through connection .   If you are a parent who feels frustrated by parenting,  I think you will find Kaili's podcast and instagram to be a helpful resource. 

Check out her podcast
And on Instagram: kaili. zeiher

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA 

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only.  She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send us Fan Mail

Ask Dr Jessica Episode 107 with educator  Callie Christensen and therapist Kelly Oriard.   They are the  co-CEOs and co-Founders of Slumberkins,  which are essentially characters in the form of a stuffed animal that come with a themed book, bringing these characters to life.  Slumberkins will make more sense as you hear the interview--but  essentially Slumberkins are designed to help kids navigate through different emotions, all with the goal to help promote healthy, positive emotional development.    These Slumberkins first made their appearance on Shark Tank, and they have since gone on to grow into apple original TV series produced in partnership with The Jim Henson company.  Slumberkins are a great resource for parents to be aware of!

website: www.slumberkins.com
Instagram: instagram.com/slumberkins
Facebook: facebook.com/slumberkins
Youtube: Slumberkins
 

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA 

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only.  She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send us Fan Mail

Today’s episode features Dr Michael Hochman,to discuss the newly approved FDA product to prevent RSV in children, Nirsevimab (sold under the brand name Beyfortus). Recently there have been two RSV vaccines approved for adults—one for individuals over 60 years old, and one for use in pregnancy to prevent RSV in infants.  On today’s podcast, the conversation will focus on  Nirsevimab, a shot that has been approved by the FDA for all babies up to 8 months old and  a second shot for infants up to 19 months who are considered to be at high risk of severe RSV infection.   Nirsevimab is a monoclonal antibody with activity againast respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  On today's podcast we will review the benefits and potential side effects of Nirsevimab.

Dr Michael Hochman is a Harvard Medical School graduate,  a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Fellow at UCLA where he received his masters in public health, and he is the founding editor of a book series called “ 50 studies every doctor should know”, so he has a keen interest in reviewing medical studies.  

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA 

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only.  She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send us Fan Mail

On today's episode of Ask Dr Jessica, we discuss the topic of scoliosis.   Today's guest is Dr Michael Heffernan, pediatric spine surgeon who works at Children's hospital of Los Angeles. In this episode we talk about everything you've ever wondered about scoliosis--like, what is scoliosis exactly? is it preventable? if a child is diagnosed with scoliosis, what can be done about it?   If a child has scoliosis, will it lead to back pain? When is bracing indicated? If a child is recommended to receive surgery, what will that process and recovery look like? We discuss all of this about scoliosis and more!

Michael Heffernan, MD, is a Board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the surgical and nonsurgical management of scoliosis and other pediatric spinal conditions. He is an Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.  He can be reached by his email Dr Heffernan's email: mheffernan@chla.usc.edu and he can be found on his instagram @drheffortho.

Before joining the Spine Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. Heffernan served as the Director of the Pediatric Orthopedic & Spine Deformity Fellowship at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. 

Dr. Heffernan is active in the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, the Scoliosis Research Society and the Pediatric Spine Study Group. He is passionate about global outreach and is Chair of the Global Outreach Committee for the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. He has also served on the Scoliosis Research Society’s global outreach committee and works with surgeons at Kingston Public Hospital to advance the care of children with scoliosis in Kingston, Jamaica.

After receiving his undergraduate degree at the Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Heffernan received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He went on to an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Dr. Heffernan then completed his advanced fellowship training in pediatric orthopedics and pediatric spinal deformity at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. When Dr. Heffernan is not working, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Joanne, and their two daughters, Sophie and Riley.

He can be reached by his email: mheffernan@chla.usc.edu 

Andrew Chung, PA-C email: akchung@chla.USC.edu

CHLA phone number is: 323-361-4658

ortho website

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA 

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only.  She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send us Fan Mail

Are you a parent who too often struggles with your child's behavior? Are you looking for guidance?

On today’s podcast we will review a book called “The Explosive Child” by Dr Ross Greene, to help parents with children who tend to be easily frustrated and inflexible.  This book gives an optimistic perspective on behaviorally challenging children, and it also offers a valuable, step by step approach, which they call "CPS", to help parents. Today's podcast is joined by licensed clinical social worker Kim Hopkins, who works alongside the book’s author, Dr Greene, to review the book as well as the "CPS" approach.  

Ms. Hopkins is an independently licensed clinical social worker who has specialized in working with behaviorally challenging kids for more than 25 years.  She has managed the clinical departments of two organizations serving youth and families in residential facilities, foster homes, therapeutic day schools, and homeless shelters.  She has been a Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) Trainer since 2007 helping schools, residentials, hospitals, and parents to successfully implement the CPS Model.  Ms. Hopkins is also the Director of Outreach & Communication for Dr. Ross Greene’s non-profit, Lives in the Balance. 

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA 

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only.  She does not diagnose medical conditi...