Chick Chat

Having grown up with a sibling (my twin brother, to be exact) who has autism was one of the biggest things that ever happened to my family. In the 80's and 90's, there weren't that many resources available for parents who had kids with disabilities. My parents did the best that they could in raising us, but there were a lot of struggles. Now that I'm a mother myself, I can only imagine all of the days and nights they worried about my brother and his future as they looked for therapies and support. My brother has been a major blessing in our lives, and I believe he has taught us more than we have taught him. Thankfully, our world has progressed and is doing a lot more for disabled people and their families. Today's guest even wrote a book about parenting a disabled child and what parents need to know. I'm excited for you to listen to this episode. In my opinion, it's not just for parents who have disabled children. This episode is something everyone should listen to. Who is Kelley Coleman? Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive turned author who is active in the disability advocacy community. She serves on committees for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and Canine Companions. Her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports stems from her own parenting experience, giving parents the tools to spend less time navigating the stuff and more time loving their kids exactly as they are. Kelley is a mom to two amazing boys, one of whom has multiple disabilities (including a yet-undiagnosed genetic syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, CVI, epilepsy, and more). She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two boys, and her son’s service dog. What Did We Discuss? In this episode, we're chatting with Kelley Coleman about everything you need to know about parenting a disabled child. As I mentioned, having a twin brother with autism, this topic is very near and dear to my heart, and it was a great conversation. To see some of the questions that we covered in this episode, go to our show notes! Kelley's Resources Website: KelleyColeman.com Kelley's book: Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports Facebook: @kelley.coleman.56 Instagram: @hellokelleycoleman Thank you for listening to this episode! Follow us on our podcast Instagram page @thebabychickchat, and let us know what you think and if there are any other topics you'd like us to cover. Cheers to navigating your unique parenting journey! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the end of the third trimester, most expecting moms are over being pregnant and are beyond ready to meet their baby. If you're expecting or have had a baby, you can probably relate. Something else that the majority of these women will tell you is that even though they are so excited to meet their babies, they are also a bit afraid of labor and birth. We get it! Childbirth is unpredictable, and the unknown can be scary. We all want a healthy mom and baby, and a safe, positive childbirth experience. But why doesn't everyone get that experience? There are a lot of reasons to answer that question, but our latest guest, Gina Mundy, can answer this further. We had an engaging conversation with her that we believe every pregnant mama preparing for birth should listen to! Who is Gina Mundy? Gina Mundy is an attorney specializing in childbirth cases. For over 20 years, she has been working to gain an in-depth understanding of childbirth. She has traveled nationwide, engaging with healthcare professionals to explore all aspects of labor and delivery. Her goal is to become involved before childbirth to prevent mistakes, and she is the best-selling author of "A Parents Guide to a Safer Childbirth." As a mother of three herself, Gina is passionate about helping parents have the best childbirth experience possible and bringing a healthy baby into the world! She's my kind of girl, and I couldn't wait to talk to her about birth and hear all about her experience as a childbirth attorney. Gina's Resources Website: GinaMundy.com Gina Mundy's book: A Parent's Guide to a Safer Childbirth Facebook: @ginamundy Instagram: @ginamundy LinkedIn: @ginamundy Gina's Podcast: The Childbirth Attorney Podcast with Gina Mundy Thank you for listening to this episode! Go to our SHOW NOTES for more details. Also, follow us on our podcast Instagram page @thebabychickchat, and let us know what you think and if there are any other topics you'd like us to cover. Cheers to a beautiful, safe birth and a healthy baby! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you someone who has a sweet tooth? Do you get cravings for something sweet throughout the day or in the evening before bedtime? If so, I can completely relate. I get sugar cravings, and when they hit, the cravings are strong. And this happens to kids, too! As parents, we sometimes use sweets to show love, appreciation, and sometimes even bribery. I know I have. These cravings can start young. Sugar is also hidden in our foods, and it doesn't have to be advertised or regulated. It's a major part of our culture's diet, but do we really understand the impact of sugar on our health and our kids' health? I'm not sure. That's why I'm talking to scientist and mother, Dr. Nicole Avena, to understand the science and learn what we can do. Who is Dr. Nicole Avena? Dr. Nicole Avena is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and a Visiting Professor of Health Psychology at Princeton University. She is quite impressive! Dr. Avena is also a public speaker and the author of several popular books like "What to Eat When You’re Pregnant," "Why Diets Fail," "Hedonic Eating," and her latest book, "Sugarless," which covers the latest science on sugar addiction and how to overcome it. She has done groundbreaking work developing models to characterize food addiction and the dangers of excess sugar intake. She is the perfect person to chat with about understanding the impact of sugar on our kids' and our health. What Did We Discuss? In this episode, we're chatting with Dr. Avena about the impact of sugar and the effect that it has on the health of our families. We all know that the majority of kids (and adults) love sugar. So, we’re gonna "chick chat" about some actionable steps to help reduce sugar impact and why this is so important for us to do so. Here are several of the questions that we covered in our conversation: What led you to research the impact of sugar on our health? Tell us more about what you have learned about the effects of sugar on our physical and mental health. Can you elaborate more on the evidence that sugar is addictive? Often, we are unaware of how much sugar is in the food we eat. How can we become more aware of what we are putting into our bodies and the bodies of our children? I think we are all familiar with "sugar cravings." How can we cope with these cravings? What about artificial sweeteners? What should we be aware of when consuming this type of product? What are some ways families can begin to remove excess sugar from their diets? Can you tell us some of the long-term risks of consuming a diet with too much sugar? What are some of your favorite sugar-free recipes and snacks? What resources do you recommend for parents who want to learn more about the dangers of sugar and how to lessen their intake? It was an eye-opening conversation that I think everyone can benefit from and should listen to. Our diets are incredibly important, and because we are the gatekeepers of the kitchen for our kids, these details we discuss are imperative for parents to know. We are building our children's future health now. Tune in to learn all about it and the impact of sugar on our kids and our health! Dr. Avena's Resources Website: DrNicoleAvena.com Dr. Avena's books Facebook: @drnicoleavena Instagram: @drnicoleavena YouTube: @drnicoleavena LinkedIn: @drnicoleavena Thank you for listening to this episode! Follow us on our podcast Instagram page @thebabychickchat, and let us know what you think and if there are any other topics you'd like us to cover. Cheers to better health and less sugar! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of our greatest roles as parents, in my opinion, is to teach our children how to be independent, good human beings. While academics are important, are we (society) putting enough emphasis on basic life skills and emotional intelligence? I'm not sure. I think that life skills can often be misunderstood as "chores."However, life skills are independence skills and organizational skills. There's more to intelligence than just IQ. There's EQ (emotional quotient, also known as emotional intelligence). And in my opinion, that is just as important, if not more important, especially in this technological, AI/digital world we live in today. So, how do we raise good humans? It's a great question and we're chatting all about it with our guest today, Dr. Jenny Woo. Who is Dr. Jenny Woo? Jenny Woo, MBA, PhD, is a Harvard-trained researcher and educator. As the founder and CEO of Mind Brain Emotion, she has created a series of award-winning card games and tools to help adults and kids build emotional intelligence and social mastery. Her product line has been used by teachers, psychologists, parents, and teens in more than 50 countries. In addition to her MEd from Harvard, MBA from UC Berkeley, and PhD from UC Irvine, she also spent several years as a Montessori school director and seven years as a human capital consultant at Deloitte and executive coach at Cisco Systems. Dr. Woo teaches emotional intelligence at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Woo is a two-time TEDx speaker, author, and has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Yahoo! Finance, Parents, and The Harvard Gazette. Dr. Woo is the former host of 52 Essential Conversations to Inspire Children for Life podcast. She has also done two TEDx talks, including "How to Be Self-ish Without Feeling Selfish." Dr. Woo has spoken at the Institute for Child Psychology conference, the Happy Family conference, and other gatherings for parents, teachers, educators, and school administrators across the country. That’s right, she’s been everywhere, and we’re excited to have her here with us on our podcast. What Did We Discuss? Today, we’re chatting with Dr. Jenny Woo about how to build life skills and emotional intelligence for children. As I mentioned, life skills can often be misunderstood, so we are thrilled to have Dr. Woo here to "chick chat" with us about mastering these important skills, as well as how to raise good humans. As an educator and mother, Dr. Woo has seen and experienced all of this firsthand. Her warm presence on this episode and valuable insight on these topics are encouraging and refreshing. She gives parents and kids a great place to start to grow life skills, and she gives us hope for what the future can look like for our children. Be sure to tune into this episode and leave us a review! Mentioned in the Episode EQ Workshop video Empty-Nester Coach on Wall Street Journal Practical Life Skills for Kids on YouTube Dr. Woo's Resources Website: mindbrainemotion.com Mind Brain Emotion cards Facebook: @mindbrainparenting Instagram: @mindbrainparenting YouTube: @mindbrainemotion LinkedIn: @jennyjcwoo Thank you for listening to this episode! Follow us on our podcast Instagram page @thebabychickchat, and let us know what you think and if there are any other topics you'd like for us to cover. Cheers to life skills and being a good human! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just a few weeks ago, I had a birth doula client who asked me if she would really know when labor was starting. This question surprised me because she was pregnant with her second child. Her first childbirth experience was an induction, but she knew what contractions felt like. However, the more I thought about this question, the more I realized many expecting moms have asked me this, "Will I really know when I'm in labor?" So, I thought it would be a good time to review the signs that labor is starting so you have more confidence in when to contact your doctor or midwife. How to Know That Labor is Getting Closer I know that you are so excited for your little one to be here (and not to be pregnant anymore). The third trimester can feel like the longest one. Each week and day can feel like forever because you are getting increasingly uncomfortable. I get it. Thankfully, there are some signs that you should be aware of that can be good indicators that labor is on the horizon! I discuss these FOUR THINGS to look for as you approach your due date. In this episode, I share what each one is, when you can potentially experience them, and what to possibly expect from these signs. This will give you more confidence that your body is doing what it's supposed to and getting you closer to meeting your baby. So exciting! 4 Signs That Labor is Starting Once you have experienced those signs of labor approaching, you will soon experience the real deal. If you're unsure what to pay attention to and look for, there are FOURS SIGNS that indicate labor is starting. If you want to learn about these signs and what they mean, I talk about them in this episode. Download and play this episode wherever you listen to podcasts, or scroll up and play on the player provided above. I walk you through these signs of labor and what you can expect from each. I know that this is an exciting and anxious time. You are so ready to meet your baby that you begin to second guess if you are really in labor. But I promise, if you listen to this show and pay attention to your body, you will really know when you are in labor and when to go to the hospital. Mentioned in the Episode Here are some more details on some of the topics mentioned in this episode: Cervical dilation (cervical checks) Mucus plug Contractions Bloody Show Water breaking When to go to the hospital in labor - our very first podcast episode! Thank you for tuning into this episode. Tell us your thoughts and labor experience on our podcast Instagram page @thebabychick! For expecting mamas still waiting to meet their little ones, I hope this helps you better understand your body and know what to look for when labor begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you have a new baby, you have probably heard of Moms On Call. Maybe you've heard of their books, their courses, their apps, or their consultants. Either way, it's no surprise that you have because they have helped over 1,000,000 and counting moms and dads across the world parent with confidence. As someone who has been in the mom-and-baby industry for over a decade, I even remember hearing some of my first clients talk about how they were reading Moms On Call. So, these two women co-founders behind this company have been doing some pretty incredible things over the years, and we are so grateful to have them on our podcast today. Laura Hunter is a mother of five, a pediatric nurse with over 30 years of experience, an entrepreneur, an author, a public speaker, and a highly sought-after infant care consultant with an international following. There’s one common passion for all the areas of Laura’s life—it’s her desire to inspire and encourage parents. Jennifer Walker has multiple roles as well: wife, mother of three, pediatric nurse, public speaker, infant and toddler care consultant, and author. Jennifer has over 30 years of pediatric nursing experience and has the heart to equip parents with practical advice and inspiration for the joys and challenges of parenthood. These are my kind of mamas, and I’m so excited for you to tune in and listen to this episode with these amazing ladies! These two women are not only amazing mothers and nurses, but it's obvious that their hearts are committed and fulfilled in serving families during these vulnerable times of parenthood. We had a playful yet profound discussion on parenting styles and modern-day motherhood. Be sure to tune in and leave us a review on what you think! Moms On Call's Resources Website: momsoncall.com Moms On Call books Podcast: The Moms On Call Podcast Moms On Call Blog Facebook: @momsoncallparenting Instagram: @momsoncall YouTube: @momsoncall Pinterest: @momsoncall Thank you for listening to this episode! Follow us on our podcast Instagram page @thebabychickchat! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I can't believe we first launched this podcast in 2018, and this is my very first solo episode! We have been playing around with the idea of incorporating solo shows into our podcast for a bit. Now that this is my first one, I am super excited to hear what you guys think about it. Because my career background is heavily tied around birth and my work as a doula, I thought "How to Choose the Right Doula for You" would be a great first solo episode for me to share my thoughts and advice with all the pregnant mamas. What the heck is a doula? If you are pregnant or have been pregnant in the recent past, you have probably heard the word “doula.” Some of you might be getting some witchy, burning sage, banging-on-the-drum vibes when you read/hear this word. And for those of you who have used a doula during your birth experiences, you may be laughing to yourself as you read this because you know that while we can do those things, if that is what you want as the birthing mother, we don't really do those things. That's at least speaking for myself and many of the doulas I've worked with and know. I have been a doula for the past 13 years and have attended over 300 births in many different settings — mainly hospitals, a few birthing centers, and home births. I first started working with moms and attending births in 2011. I can’t believe it's been 13 years, and we’re in 2024. For those of you who have never heard of the word "doula," it’s actually an ancient Greek word meaning ‘woman servant, caregiver, or a woman who serves.’ More recently, it refers to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother and her partner during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and their postpartum journey. In This Episode In this episode, I talk about the different types of doulas there are and my 6 steps to help you pick the best doula for you. I even include a FREE printable of interview questions you should be asking doulas when you are interviewing them. (Click the show notes link to download it!) Please share your thoughts with us and leave us a review on my very first solo show. I'd love to hear what you think and what you would add to my list. And join us on our podcast's Instagram page @thebabychickchat to continue chick-chatting with us! https://www.instagram.com/thebabychickchat/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you a mother who feels stretched thin and exhausted? Maybe you can't remember anything, and you're feeling lonelier than ever before? If you're saying yes to yourself after reading these questions, you just might be experiencing "mommy burnout." Our guest today is an expert on this topic, and she is sharing her tips on navigating and reclaiming your life while raising healthy and happy children. Today's guest is Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, a psychologist, author, speaker, and mother. She literally wrote the book on Mommy Burnout and has been counseling overwhelmed, exhausted, and lonely mothers for 20 years. Dr. Sheryl has led over 10,000 face-to-face sessions focused on "mommy burnout" and its related issues, including anxiety, depression, and divorce. With less help available and high pressure on moms to do it all, it's no wonder that there is a loneliness epidemic going on right now. We're so grateful to have Dr. Sheryl Ziegler shed some light on a topic we feel most (if not all) mothers can relate to. Check our show notes for more details and a FREE well-mom checklist printable to help you take better care of yourself! Dr. Sheryl's Resources Website: drsherylziegler.com Mommy Burnout book - https://amzn.to/48G4IJA Her podcast: Dr. Sheryl's Podcouch - https://drsherylziegler.com/podcast/ Facebook: @mommyburnout Instagram: @drsherylziegler LinkedIn: @drsherylziegler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcoming a new baby into the world and becoming a parent are some of the greatest gifts in life. As soon as you see those two pink lines on your pregnancy test and the moment you hold your baby in your arms, life is never the same again. And just as your baby is learning about you and this new world, you are also learning about this new baby and your new role as a mother. There are highs and lows and twists and turns, but it is the most worthwhile ride of your life. Dr. Sears knows this very well as a pediatrician and father of eight (that's right, eight!) children. We chat with him on this episode about developing your parenting style and his experiences as a doctor and father. Who is Dr. William Sears? Dr. William Sears, MD, is a world-renowned pediatrician and the author of the million-copy bestseller The Baby Book. He received his medical training at Harvard Medical School's Children's Hospital in Boston and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He has now been advising parents on how to raise healthier families for more than 50 years. Dr. Sears co-founded AskDrSears.com and the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute, which has certified over 12,000 Health Coaches worldwide. As a father of eight children, he coached Little League sports for 20 years and, together with his wife Martha, has written more than 45 books on nutrition, parenting, and healthy aging. In May 2012, Dr. Sears and his contribution to family health were featured on the cover of TIME Magazine, and they named him "the man who remade motherhood." He serves as a health consultant for magazines, TV, radio, and other media and is noted for his science-made simple-and-fun approach to family health. We are thrilled and honored to have him with us on our show today! What Did We Discuss? In this episode, we chat with Dr. Sears about developing the parenting style that works best for you and your children. Here are several of the questions that we covered in our conversation: You have so much first-hand experience as a medical professional and being a father of eight. How have these experiences shaped the way you offer advice to new parents? I love that you say, "There is no one way to parent a baby." Can you elaborate on that statement? How do you think new parents can begin to develop a parenting style that best suits their family? We all have different needs, as do our children. How important is it to be flexible in parenting and adapting to the changing needs of ourselves and our children? What role does self-awareness play in finding the best parenting style? How do you think external influences impact our parenting styles? How can parents best find a balance between incorporating expert advice and trusting their instincts when it comes to parenting? Do you have any examples of different parenting styles that have worked for different families and why they were effective? In your experience, how have parenting styles evolved? If you could offer one piece of advice to a new parent looking to find their stride, what would it be? Dr. Sears answers these questions with heartfelt stories of his patients and his own family experiences that make you feel his genuine passion and care for families and their babies. It's an episode that will leave you with a full heart and a better understanding of how to listen to your instincts as a mother. Be sure to tune in and leave us a review! Dr. Sears' Resources Website: AskDrSears.com Facebook: @askdrsears X: @askdrsears Instagram: @askdrsears YouTube: @askdrsears Go to our SHOW NOTES for more details! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeding your new baby can come with its challenges. You may think that breastfeeding your newborn will come naturally, and for some, it does. However, for many others, it isn't so simple. Breastfeeding is a skill that both mother and baby must practice and learn together. Then, once they have figured out their feeding rhythm, it's time to introduce a bottle, and mothers are left unsure how to do it properly so as not to halt their breastfeeding journey. They wonder how they can successfully combine breastfeeding and bottle-feeding to experience both benefits because moms deserve to feed their babies the way that works best for them. Today's guest is sharing all the tips on how to introduce a bottle to baby, how to combine breastfeeding and bottle-feeding, and all the details parents need to know about Emulaitand their baby bottle. Who is Madison Blampied? Today's guest is Madison Blampied. Madi is Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Relations at Emulait. With a keen eye for identifying growth opportunities and fostering strategic partnerships, Madi has learned to balance the demands of a high-powered career with the joys of motherhood. She found Emulait when her 2-year-old was only six weeks old and knew she needed to be a part of this revolutionary product. Now, as she eagerly anticipates the arrival of her second child, her outlook on bottles has shifted since her first pregnancy before Emulait existed. She is passionate about empowering women and giving them the tools to choose the outcome of their feeding journey! What Did We Discuss? In this episode, we chat with Madi about combining breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. We want to help parents feel confident in their feeding journey and support them by answering common questions while providing some helpful tips and tricks we have learned from our hands-on experiences as moms and professionals in the baby space. Here are several of the questions that we covered in our conversation: Can you talk about some of the different ways mothers feed their babies and how bottles play a role in these journeys? What should parents consider when looking for a bottle for a breastfed baby? What makes Emulait's bottle unique? Can you elaborate on the development and science behind this unique product? What tips do you have for introducing a bottle to a baby? What are the biggest challenges you see parents facing when transitioning from breastfeeding to bottle feeding? How can they be overcome? You said your outlook on bottles has shifted since your first pregnancy. Can you tell us more about your experience? What are your top bottle-feeding tips and tricks? Support is so important regardless of how you choose to feed your baby. Please tell our listeners more about how Emulait supports all parents on their feeding journeys. What is one piece of advice you would like to give parents about to embark on their feeding journey? Between the laughter and helpful tips, this was one of my favorite episodes! We covered a lot with Madi about the Emulait brand and how to help families with their baby-feeding journeys. We sincerely hope you enjoyed the episode as much as we did. Be sure to check out Emulait's bottles and products, and stay tuned for all of the amazing new things they are launching (as Madi mentioned) this year! Cheers to a stress-free baby-feeding journey! *Check out Emulait's products here!* Mentioned in the Episode Emulait's other accessories Emulait's app: Apple Store and Google Play They have a lactation consultant available for their customers (free of charge) to help them through their breastfeeding and bottle-feeding journeys. Madi's Resources Website: Emulait Facebook: @emulait X: @emulait Instagram: @emulait TikTok: @emulait Watch the episode on our YouTube channel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices