Your Child is Normal: with Dr Jessica Hochman

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Parents today have access to more health information than ever—but does more information actually make it easier to raise healthy kids?
In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with Arielle Levi, pediatric health coach and co-founder of the Pediatric Health Coach Academy, about helping families turn health advice into realistic, sustainable habits.
They discuss what pediatric health coaching is, how it differs from the roles of pediatricians, dietitians, and therapists, and why simply telling families what they “should” do often isn't enough.
Jessica and Arielle also work through real-life parenting challenges, including picky eating, concerns about weight, relying on takeout, wanting to cook more at home, and helping kids develop healthier habits without creating guilt or perfectionism around food.
Most importantly, they discuss stepping back from the endless stream of parenting advice and focusing instead on the bigger picture: raising children who feel healthy, confident, connected, and capable of making choices that work for them.
Learn more about Arielle and the Pediatric Health Coach Academy:
pediatrichealthcoaching.com
Looking for a pediatric health coach?
Visit the website for the coach directory or email:
info@pediatrichealthcoaching.com

Link for NBHWC certification
Link for Pediatric Health Coaching Skills Certificate
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: Ask Dr Jessica
Shop my favorite products for kids on Amazon here
If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

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 conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals.  If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.

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Why are so many children afraid of going to the doctor—and what can parents do to help?
In this episode, Dr. Jessica Hochman is joined by family physician and Playhouse MD co-founder Dr. Kaitlin to discuss why medical visits can feel so overwhelming for children and how parents and healthcare providers can make them less intimidating.
They talk about the developmental reasons behind medical anxiety, the powerful role of parental emotions, how honesty builds trust, and practical ways to prepare children for vaccines, blood tests, and doctor's appointments through play, books, and age-appropriate conversations.
They also discuss simple techniques like giving children choices, using distraction thoughtfully, and helping kids build confidence rather than trying to eliminate fear altogether.
Dr. Kaitlin also shares the inspiration behind PlayhouseMD, a company  creating playful medical products designed to make everyday healthcare experiences easier for children and parents. 
Dr. Kaitlin Wiseman is a family physician, mom of two, and co-founder of PlayhouseMD. Together with her sister, Sydney Wiseman, an award-winning toy creator, she's on a mission to make children's healthcare experiences less scary and more playful.
Learn more about PlayhouseMD:
PlayhouseMD products are available at Target, Amazon, Babylist, TikTok Shop and directly through PlayhouseMD.
For Your Child is Normal listeners, use code DRJESSICA15  to receive 15% off of PlayhouseMD products. To redeem, go to their website:!http://playhousemd.com/ (limit 1 per customer).
Instagram:
@playhousemd

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: Ask Dr Jessica
Shop my favorite products for kids on Amazon here
If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

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 conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals.  If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.

Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, Dr. Jessica Hochman welcomes back anxiety expert Lynn Lyons, to discuss how parents can help children navigate back-to-school anxiety.
Lynn explains why reassurance isn't always reassuring, why parents often talk too much when children are anxious, and how simple changes in our language can build confidence instead of fear. Together they discuss what to say when a child doesn't want to go to school, when anxiety becomes a reason to seek professional help, and why learning to tolerate uncertainty is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children.
Whether your child is starting kindergarten, changing schools, or simply feeling nervous about the first day, this conversation offers practical, reassuring advice you can use immediately.
Lynn Lyons is a psychotherapist, author, speaker, and one of the nation's leading experts on childhood anxiety. Be sure to check out her podcasts, Flusterclucks and Quarter-Life: Your 20s Are a Mother, for more practical advice on anxiety, parenting, and resilience.
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: Ask Dr Jessica
Shop my favorite products for kids on Amazon here
If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

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 conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals.  If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.

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For years, many of us have assumed that toddlers are naturally picky—that children are simply born preferring bland foods, avoiding vegetables, and rejecting anything unfamiliar. But what if that's not actually true?
This week I'm joined by historian Helen Zoe Veit, author of Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History. Together we explore how picky eating became so common, why children in previous generations—and in many cultures around the world—ate the same foods as adults, and what history can teach us about raising confident, adventurous eaters today. 
We discuss:
Why picky eating wasn't always considered "normal"
The surprising history behind children's menus and snack culture
Whether kids really have more sensitive taste buds
Why hunger between meals matters
The role of structure versus pressure at the dinner table
Why children around the world often eat the same foods as their parents
Practical ways parents can expand their child's palate without power struggles
This conversation is encouraging, evidence-informed, and full of practical ideas that may help make family meals less stressful—and a lot more enjoyable.
About Helen Zoe Veit
Helen Zoe Veit is an award-winning historian, writer, and professor of history at Michigan State University. She specializes in the history of food in America and is the director of the What America Ate project. She is the author of Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History, which explores how modern ideas about children's eating developed—and what history suggests we can do differently today. 
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: Ask Dr Jessica
Shop my favorite products for kids on Amazon here
If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

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 conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals.  If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.

Send us Fan Mail
What are the most common eye injuries in children—and how can parents help prevent them?
In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with Dr. Aaron Nagiel, pediatric retinal specialist and Chief of the Retina Division at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, to discuss children's eye health, vision safety, and the latest breakthroughs in retinal care.
Dr. Nagiel explains how the retina works, common retinal conditions seen in children, and the warning signs parents should never ignore. He shares real-world stories about sports injuries, Nerf gun accidents, and laser pointer injuries that can lead to permanent vision loss, while offering practical advice on prevention and eye protection.
They also discuss:
• Common eye injuries in children and how to prevent them
• When a red eye is concerning—and when it isn't
• Warning signs of retinal disease
• The role of screens, outdoor play, and dry eyes
• Why children should wear prescribed glasses consistently
• When eye symptoms warrant an urgent evaluation
• Exciting advances in gene therapy and the future of pediatric retinal care
This episode is packed with practical takeaways that can help parents recognize problems early, protect their children's vision, and know when to seek specialized care.
Dr. Aaron Nagiel is a pediatric retinal specialist at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and USC Roski Eye Institute, where he cares for children with retinal diseases, eye trauma, retinopathy of prematurity, and inherited retinal disorders. In collaboration with the Center for Personalized Medicine, he leads a state-of-the-art program specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of genetic eye disease, including gene therapy surgery.
Dr. Aaron Nagiel earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University summa cum laude, and then underwent combined MD and PhD training at Cornell University and The Rockefeller University in New York City. His PhD work was supported by an NIH fellowship and contributed to our understanding of how synapses form in the developing brain. After an internship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Nagiel completed both ophthalmology residency and vitreoretinal fellowship at the renowned Stein Eye Institute at UCLA.
To contact Dr Nagiel:
Please call 323-361-2347 or 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: Ask Dr Jessica
Shop my favorite products for kids on Amazon here
If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

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 conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals.  If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.