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In this flashback episode, we are revisiting my interview with Dr Nicholas Kardaras (episode 100) to discuss screen addiction and children.

Dr. Nicholas Kardaras is an Ivy-League educated psychologist, an internationally renowned speaker, and one of the country’s foremost addiction experts. He is the CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of Maui Recovery in Hawaii and Omega Recovery in Austin, Texas. A former Clinical Professor at Stony Brook Medicine in NY where he specialized in teaching the neurophysiology and treatment of addiction.

Dr. Kardaras is the author of the best-selling "Glow Kids" (St. Martin's Press, 2016), the seminal book on the clinical, neurological and sociological aspects of Technology Addiction (Smart Phones, Video Games, Social Media, etc.). Dr. Kardaras is also the author most recently of "”Digital Madness” where he further discuss the tech addicted world we live in and the harm it poses to our youth.

He has written for TIME Magazine, Scientific American, Psychology Today, Salon, The NY Daily News, and FOX News, and has appeared on ABC's 20/20, Good Morning America, the CBS Evening News, FOX & Friends, NPR, Good Day New York and in Esquire, New York Magazine and Vanity Fair. He was also featured on the 2019 A&E TV series “Digital Addiction” and his 2016 NY Post Op Ed “Digital Heroin” went viral with over 6 million views and shares.
Considered a leading expert on young people and digital addiction, he's clinically worked with over 2,000 teens and young adults and has been active in advocating that screen addiction be recognized as a clinical disorder akin to substance addiction. As a result of his clinical training and expertise working with tech addiction, Dr. Kardaras has developed the most comprehensive treatment protocols to treat this emerging global problem.

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

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-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
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In episode 211 of Your Child is Normal, Abdullah, Iman, Zain, and Kassim Ansari (Brothers spaning the ages of 10 to 17) share their journey of creating a podcast focused on health and wellness for teens. They discuss the importance of hydration, the impact of technology and social media, and effective parenting strategies. The conversation emphasizes the need for independence in children while maintaining a balance with guidance. The Ansari brothers also highlight the significance of healthy eating habits and spending time in nature. Their insights are backed by their experiences and the knowledge gained from interviewing experts in the field. They conclude by promoting their upcoming book, which aims to educate teens and parents alike on health and wellness.

Follow: The Holistic Kids Show to listen to "kids empowering kids".
Book The Teen Health Revolution, coming out Dec 11th! https://theteenhealthrevolution.com/

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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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...

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Today on Your Child Is Normal, I’m thrilled to re-air one of our most important conversations with Lenore Skenazy — author of Free‑Range Kids and president of the nonprofit Let Grow, which is leading a national movement to restore childhood independence.

Lenore explains why when we trust kids to do more on their own, they grow stronger, more confident, and less anxious. She upends the “hover-parenting” norm and invites us to rethink what real childhood looks like.

In this episode you’ll hear:

•How childhood became over-scheduled, over-monitored, and under-trusted.

•Why giving kids more freedom isn’t neglect—it’s empowerment.

•Practical steps you can take this week to let your child take the reins (just a little).

•Lenore’s latest work including her brand-new TED Talk, “Why You Should Spend Less Time With Your Kids.” (Watch it here ➜ https://www.ted.com/talks/lenore_skenazy_why_you_should_spend_less_time_with_your_kids?language=en)

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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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman welcomes back Dr. Nina Shapiro, pediatric ENT and author of Take a Deep Breath: Clear the Air for the Health of Your Child.

If your child always sounds congested, snores at night, or breathes through their mouth, this episode is for you. Dr. Shapiro explains the most common causes of chronic nasal stuffiness in kids — from back-to-back colds to allergies — and what parents can realistically do to help.

You’ll learn:

• Why constant congestion is so common in young kids
• How to safely use nasal saline, steroid sprays, and antihistamines
• When to think about allergies, adenoids, or sinus infections
• What “tired and wired” means, and how sleep and behavior connect
• Why mouth breathing happens — and when it’s okay vs. when to act

Dr. Shapiro also shares her favorite over-the-counter nasal spray for kids, her take on milk and mucus, and practical tricks for teaching kids to blow their noses.

🎧 If you missed Part 1, go back to hear Dr. Shapiro discuss baby breathing, safe sleep, and how to help infants breathe easier.

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 a text

In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with Dr. Nina Shapiro, pediatric ENT and author of Take a Deep Breath: Clear the Air for the Health of Your Child, now out in its updated edition.

Together, they dive into one of the most common worries for parents: their baby’s breathing. Dr. Shapiro explains why newborns are “obligate nasal breathers,” what normal baby breathing actually sounds like, and when parents should (and shouldn’t) worry. You’ll also learn practical, evidence-based tips on:

• The safest and most effective way to use nasal saline
• When (and when not) to use suction devices
• How safe-sleep practices like “A B C — Alone, on their Back, in a Crib” protect babies from SIDS
• Simple tools like the "A B C D E" checklist for spotting breathing trouble

This conversation will help parents feel calmer, more confident, and better equipped to care for their baby’s breathing.

👉 Stay tuned for Part 2 next week, when Dr. Shapiro returns to discuss breathing issues in older kids — including chronic stuffy noses, snoring, and when to see a specialist.

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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In Episode 206 of 'Your Child is Normal,' the host welcomes back Devon, a toddler expert, to discuss her journey since the last time she appeared three years ago. During this time, Devon became a mother and wrote a comprehensive book titled 'Transforming Toddlerhood.' She shares her evolved perspectives on toddler behavior and parenting, emphasizing the significance of empathy, the benefits of natural consequences, and practical advice for dealing with common toddler challenges like tantrums, transitions, and defiance. Devon also elaborates on her book, which serves as a practical guide for parents with actionable advice, focusing on various aspects of toddler development. Additionally, the conversation highlights the importance of community support, outdoor activities for children, and self-compassion for parents. The episode concludes with information on where to find Devon’s new book and her extensive online community at transformingtoddlerhood.com. Devon’s book 'Transforming Toddlerhood' is available on Amazon and other major book retailers.

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...