Car Seat Mistakes Most Parents Make (And How to Fix Them)
Car seat safety is one of those topics that feels overwhelming…so many straps, rules, and confusing instructions and yet it’s one of the most important things we do as parents.
In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and child passenger safety technician, Michelle Pratt from Safe in the Seat, to talk about the most common car seat mistakes parents make and how to fix them. We both share our own missteps (yes, even as a pediatrician and as a safety expert!) and the lessons that changed how we buckle our kids in.
We cover:
Why “winging it” with installation is risky, and how to practice before you leave the hospital
Chest clip placement, shoulder strap positioning, and the “one-inch rule” every parent should know
Rear-facing myths, what age to turn forward, and why “rear until 2” isn’t the full story
The truth about aftermarket products (like those head straps) and why they can be dangerousHow to empower kids to notice and speak up about their own car seat safety
To connect with Michelle Pratt check out all her resources at https://www.safeintheseat.com/. Follow her on Instagram at @safeintheseat.
Car Seat Finder Tool: https://www.safeintheseat.com/find-your-best-car-seat
Safe to Switch: https://courses.safeintheseat.com/offers/uufJeUvJ/checkout
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 – Why Car Seat Safety Feels Overwhelming
01:00 – Dr. Mona Introduces Michelle Pratt and Their Connection
04:40 – Car Lines, Backpacks, and Real-Life Safety Struggles
08:20 – Michelle’s Origin Story and Why She Started Safe in the Seat
12:00 – The Hospital Discharge Mistake Almost Every Parent Makes
17:45 – Chest Clip Placement Explained
23:00 – Teaching Kids to Be Their Own Safety Advocates
26:00 – Survivor Bias and Distracted Driving Today
27:00 – The One-Inch Rules Parents Don’t Know
33:20 – Shoulder Strap Placement: Rear vs Forward Facing
37:00 – Why Reading the Manual Actually Matters
41:15 – Rear-Facing Until Four: The Physics and Development Behind It
46:30 – Real-Life Exceptions: Motion Sickness, Car Fit, and Caregiver Needs
59:00 – Resources from Safe in the Seat
1:00:15 – Final Thoughts and How to Share This 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!
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
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1:05:40
The Follow-Up: Popular Parenting Styles
Parenting styles are everywhere on social media—gentle, attachment, positive, even FAFO (that’s “f around and find out”) parenting. But what does the research actually say about these labels? And is there really one “right” way to raise kids?
In this follow-up episode, Dr. Mona revisits her conversation with clinical psychologist and Parenting Translator, Dr. Cara Goodwin. Together, they unpack what science tells us about parenting styles, where trendy terms fall short, and why connection plus boundaries is what really matters.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
Why “gentle parenting” isn’t well-defined in research
The three parenting styles psychologists actually study—and which one predicts the best outcomes
Why mixing and matching strategies is often the healthiest approach
The problem with rigidly sticking to one style (especially with spirited or neurodivergent kids)
Tools like timeouts, rewards, and praise—why research shows they can be helpful, not harmful
What behaviors are never okay, no matter your style (think spanking, threats, or shaming)
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!
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
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Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: Navigating Defiance, Meltdowns, and Anxiety to Raise Confident, Connected Kids
Big kids mean big feelings and sometimes that shows up as defiance, meltdowns, or even anxiety. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really going on beneath the surface and why it’s not just “bad behavior.” We often think school-aged is cruising with emotions but big feelings are common.
I’m joined by returning guest Alyssa Campbell, a child development expert, to provide the right tools for when emotions can feel overwhelming. We’ll talk about how age bias often shapes the way adults respond to older kids’ emotions, why yelling or punishment backfires, and how collaborative emotional processing can help kids feel understood while still respecting boundaries.
You’ll learn:
Why defiance is often a sign of unmet needs, not disrespect
The role of age bias in how we label behavior in older vs. younger kids
How collaborative emotional processing helps kids regulate big emotions
Practical, evidence-based ways to respond to meltdowns, worry, and pushback using her “F.A.C.T.S.” method
How to raise kids who feel both confident and connected
To connect with Alyssa Campbel check out all her resources at https://www.seedandsew.org/about. Follow her on Instagram at @seed.and.sew. Buy her new book “Big Kids, Bigger Feelings” here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/big-kids-bigger-feelings-alyssa-blask-campbellrachel-stuart-lounder?variant=43408468377634
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 “Easy Years” Myth01:16 – Why 5–12 Isn’t Smooth Sailing02:38 – Meet Alyssa Blas Campbell03:11 – Parents Feel Blindsided05:28 – Big Kid Development Shifts07:25 – What Big Meltdowns Look Like09:12 – Do We Expect Too Much?11:04 – 9 Senses & Nervous System15:23 – Different Kids, Different Needs18:08 – Handling Defiance With Compassion22:53 – Sibling Differences in Regulation25:48 – The F.A.C.T.S. Acronym31:29 – Amusement Park Example34:53 – Why Age Bias Misleads Us38:18 – The S.I.P. Method Explained42:12 – Rethinking Respect & Defiance44:40 – Parenting Is a Relationship46:22 – Closing Thoughts & Resources
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!
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
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51:48
The Follow-Up: Your Baby in the NICU
Having a baby in the NICU is something no parent plans for. Whether your child is born premature, needs extra support after delivery, or faces unexpected medical challenges, the NICU experience can feel overwhelming and full of unknowns.
You’ll learn:
Why babies are admitted to the NICU (and what that first moment feels like for parents)
What doctors, nurses, and staff monitor day-to-day to support growth and healing
How NICU rounds work and the key questions parents can ask
Why every care plan is individualized—and how parents are essential members of the team
The emotional side of being a NICU parent, from guilt to uncertainty, and how staff help families feel supported
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!
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
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Childhood Anxiety: From Symptoms to Support in a Time of Rising Rates
Anxiety in kids doesn’t always look like worry. Sometimes it shows up as stomachaches, sleep struggles, irritability, or even constant visits to the school nurse. As pediatricians, we know this is one of the most common challenges families face today and parents are often left wondering: Is this normal? Do I need to be worried? What do I do next?
In this episode, I’m joined by pediatrician and author Dr. Natasha Burgert, who just released Managing Childhood Anxiety For Dummies. We talk about how anxiety can look different in kids, when parents should reach out for help, and the many supportive steps families can take before medication is even on the table.
We cover:
The many faces of anxiety in children (it’s often a chameleon)
How to talk to your child about anxiety without making it scarier
Why early screening matters and what those forms really mean (spoiler: not a label)
Common myths about medication and how SSRIs actually work
How school transitions (hello, September stomachaches) can trigger anxiety
To connect with Dr. Natasha Burgert check out all her resources at https://kckidsdoc.substack.com/. Follow her on Instagram at @kckidsdoc. Buy her “Managing Childhood Anxiety For Dummies” book here: https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F4dYyaim&e=AT16kIumYZsC0TK4slk9a-qlSR7mzOsrHwpM4fOhdheESkam-cNuVmg2csHv-v6wgf8dHsUidIsW79nQA45rMXUvzxKmwOktxXr63UcHi-2Fxwq2
Another great listen: What is the gut-brain axis and how does anxiety play a role
We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!
0:00 – Understanding Childhood Anxiety: The Great Mimicker
01:21 – Welcome & Why Anxiety Matters for Kids Today
03:19 – Recognizing Signs: What Anxiety Looks Like in Children
08:00 – Talking to Kids About Anxiety in a Supportive Way
09:51 – Screening, Diagnosis & Why Rates Are Rising
17:33 – First Steps After a Positive Screen (Beyond Medication)
21:28 – Medications, Myths & How SSRIs Actually Work
30:17 – Parental Mental Health, Myths, and Back-to-School Anxiety
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!
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
Acerca de The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
The PedsDocTalk Podcast is your go-to parenting resource, hosted by Dr. Mona Amin, a trusted pediatrician, parenting expert, and mom of two. As a top 30 Parenting Podcast in the U.S., this show delivers expert-backed guidance on child development, health, illness, behavior, feeding, and sleep—giving parents the confidence to navigate every stage from baby to teen.
Each episode dives into real-life parenting challenges, featuring conversations with specialists in pediatrics, child psychology, nutrition, and parental well-being. From potty training and sleep training to tackling tantrums, picky eating, discipline, screen time, postpartum recovery, and developmental milestones, Dr. Mona provides practical, science-backed advice that actually works.
Tune in on Mondays and Wednesdays for actionable insights, mindset shifts, and expert interviews that empower you to raise healthy, resilient, and happy kids—while thriving as a parent yourself!
Escucha The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom, Noche para dos podcast y muchos más podcasts de todo el mundo con la aplicación de radio.es
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