"Doctor Mom" Podcast | Practical Tips to Be a Proactive Parent

Wondering if your toddler is too young for a palate expander? My daughter got hers at three and a half, and Dr. Nora and I are sharing exactly what the process really looked like.
Dr. Nora Zaghi of Breathe Kids Dental joins me to walk through the real process of getting a palate expander for a toddler, using my daughter Adena's journey as our example. You'll hear the signs of sleep and breathing problems in young kids, from snoring and mouth breathing to restless sleep, ADHD-like symptoms, and slow growth. We cover how providers decide if a child is a candidate, what the clicks actually do to the palate and the floor of the nose, why some kids get both an upper and lower expander, and how long the activation and holding phases last. Dr. Nora also explains why she cautions against stock silicone mouthpieces, how to find a provider when there isn't one near you, and what her study found about expansion and enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
Why Toddlers Under 7 May Need Airway Expansion
Why Pulling Teeth Can Shrink a Child's Airway
Is My Child a Candidate for a Palate Expander
Signs of Sleep Apnea in Kids
Why to Avoid Over-the-Counter Silicone Appliances
Are Expanders Uncomfortable for Young Kids
Will My Child Need More Than One Expander
Expander Hygiene and Cavity Risk
Show Notes:
Learn more about Dr. Nora and Breathe Kids Dental

Follow @dr.norazaghi on Instagram

Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell's Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child's number one health advocate!

Click here to explore Steph Greunke, RD's Mindset and Metabolism Substack, nuanced discussions on fat loss and behavior change for women.

Watch this episode on our Youtube channel @medschoolformoms

Listen to today's episode on our website

Meet Dr. Nora Zaghi, a board-certified pediatric dentist who is redefining children's dental care by looking beyond teeth and focusing on the health and development of the whole child.
Through her work at Breathe Kids Dental, Dr. Nora takes a functional and holistic approach to pediatric dentistry, exploring the important connections between oral health, breathing, sleep, jaw development, nutrition, and overall well-being.
Passionate about prevention and early intervention, she helps families better understand how everyday habits—including thumb sucking, pacifier use, chewing, and swallowing—can influence a child's oral and facial development. Her approach emphasizes parent education, individualized care, and collaboration with allied health professionals to support healthy growth from an early age.
Dr. Nora also incorporates innovative, minimally invasive dental techniques, including laser dentistry, ozone therapy, and advanced imaging technology, with a focus on preserving healthy tooth structure and using biocompatible materials.
At the heart of her mission is a simple but powerful belief: children's oral health is deeply connected to their overall health, and empowering parents with the right knowledge can make a lifelong difference.
In this episode, we're excited to explore her whole-child approach to dentistry, the often-overlooked role of oral habits and airway health, and what every parent should know about supporting their child's healthy development.

This Episode's Sponsors 
Discover for yourself why Needed is trusted by 15,000+ women's health practitioners, including Dr. Elana and Steph. Needed supports optimal health and nourishment throughout the Motherspan--from preconception through perimenopause. Enjoy their range of practitioner-formulated, third-party tested supplements and get 20% off with code DOCTORMOM. Visit thisisneeded.com
Active Skin Repair is a must-have for everyone to keep themselves and their families healthy and clean.  Keep a bottle in the car to spray your face after removing your mask, a bottle in your medicine cabinet to replace your toxic first aid products, and one in your outdoor pack for whatever life throws at you.  Use code DOCTORMOM to receive 20% off your order + free shipping (with $50 minimum purchase). Visit BLDGActive.com to order.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF to Steph and Dr. Elana on Instagram. They can't wait to meet you!
@stephgreunke
@drelanaroumell

Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only.  All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.

If you've ever bribed your kid with dessert or cooked a second dinner just to avoid a standoff, this conversation on raising kids with a healthy relationship with food is for you.
Steph sits down with Jennifer Anderson, registered dietitian, founder of Kids Eat in Color, and author of Feed Them Well: A Guide to Raising Healthy, Confident Eaters for Life. Jennifer shares why most child feeding research never considered your child's temperament, what she calls embodied independence, and why intuitive eating doesn't translate neatly to kids surrounded by hyper-palatable foods. You'll hear how to set limits on sweets without adding guilt, fear, or shame, how to answer "is this food bad?" without labeling foods good or bad, and why skipping body and weight talk at home matters for your child's relationship with food. If picky eating, diet culture, or Halloween candy has you second-guessing yourself, this episode gives you real scripts and a lot more breathing room.

Topics Covered In This Episode:
What hundreds of child feeding studies really showed

Why feeding research ignores your child's temperament

Intuitive eating for kids and embodied independence

Teaching kids hunger and fullness cues at home

Setting limits on sweets without guilt, fear, or shame

How to talk to kids about food without good vs. bad

Does restricting junk food make kids crave it more?

Body talk, weight, and your child's relationship with food


Show Notes:
Click here to learn more about Jennifer

Read Feed Them Well

Watch KidsEatinColor on Youtube

Follow @kids.eat.in.color/ on Instagram

Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell's Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child's number one health advocate!

Click here to explore Steph Greunke, RD's Mindset and Metabolism Substack, nuanced discussions on fat loss and behavior change for women.

Watch this episode on our Youtube channel @medschoolformoms

Listen to today's episode on our website


Jennifer Anderson is the founder of Kids Eat in Color, a trusted comprehensive resource for parents supporting their child's nutrition and relationship with food., with a social media audience of over 2 million. She is the CEO of BetterBites®, a platform of digital health programs that help families treat and prevent feeding & nutrition challenges. She is also a registered dietitian and has a master of science in public health from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
She's the author of the national bestseller, Feed Them Well, A Guide to Raising Healthy, Confident Eaters for Life. She's been featured in national media, speaks at professional conferences, and has created accredited continuing education for healthcare professionals — meaning physicians, nurses, dietitians, and therapists learn from her work. 
She is also a parent. Her first son's early growth struggles put her on the path of specializing in child feeding. When her second son began showing early signs of extreme picky eating, she knew what to do — and it worked. That experience has shaped everything about Kids Eat in Color and BetterBites. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two kids.
This Episode's Sponsors 
Discover for yourself why Needed is trusted by 15,000+ women's health practitioners, including Dr. Elana and Steph. Needed supports optimal health and nourishment throughout the Motherspan--from preconception through perimenopause. Enjoy their range of practitioner-formulated, third-party tested supplements and get 20% off with code DOCTORMOM. Visit thisisneeded.com
Active Skin Repair is a must-have for everyone to keep themselves and their families healthy and clean.  Keep a bottle in the car to spray your face after removing your mask, a bottle in your medicine cabinet to replace your toxic first aid products, and one in your outdoor pack for whatever life throws at you.  Use code DOCTORMOM to receive 20% off your order + free shipping (with $50 minimum purchase). Visit BLDGActive.com to order.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF to Steph and Dr. Elana on Instagram. They can't wait to meet you!
@stephgreunke
@drelanaroumell
Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only.  All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.

What do you actually do with all that Halloween candy? In this video, Steph shares the five strategies her family uses so candy stays in the house without turning into a battle.
Steph walks you through her Halloween candy plan from start to finish. You'll hear how she handles the switch witch, candy buybacks, and donations without sliding back into restriction, plus why she moves the stash into the pantry and puts a piece or two on the dinner plate. She also shares fun ways to use up leftover candy, how teens and tweens can manage their own stash, and how the way you talk about your own treats shapes your kids' food mindset.
Topics Covered In This Episode:
Make the Candy Plan Before Halloween

The Candy Sort and "Worth It" Candies

Switch Witch, Candy Buybacks and Donations

Serving Candy With Meals

Candy Science, Frozen Chocolate, Teal Pumpkins

Teens, Tweens and Your Own Candy Mindset

Show Notes:
Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell's Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child's number one health advocate!

Click here to explore Steph Greunke, RD's Mindset and Metabolism Substack, nuanced discussions on fat loss and behavior change for women.

Watch this episode on our Youtube channel @medschoolformoms

Listen to today's episode on our website


This Episode's Sponsors 
Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell's Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child's number one health advocate!

Click here to explore Steph Greunke, RD's Mindset and Metabolism Substack, nuanced discussions on fat loss and behavior change for women.

Watch this episode on our Youtube channel @medschoolformoms

INTRODUCE YOURSELF to Steph and Dr. Elana on Instagram. They can't wait to meet you!
@stephgreunke
@drelanaroumell

Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only.  All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.

Your child's lingering cough has kept the whole house up for weeks, and you still can't tell if it's normal. Here's how to know when a cough is fine and which breathing signs mean it's time to get seen.
Dr. Elana walks you through the exact thought process she uses when a child's cough won't go away. You'll learn what a cough is actually doing in the body, how a dry cough differs from a wet cough, and the breathing red flags that mean you should see your doctor. She also covers the cough sounds that point to croup, whooping cough, asthma, or allergies so you can get your kid the right support faster. Then she shares her simple Doctor Mom cough protocol: three at-home tips, her top three natural medicines, and the homeopathics she loves for kids' coughs.
Topics Covered In This Episode:
What a Cough Is Actually Doing in Your Child's Body

Dry Cough vs. Wet Cough

Cough Red Flags: When to See the Doctor

Barking, Whooping, Wheezing: Cough Sounds That Need Different Care

Why Kids' Cough Syrup Isn't the Answer

At-Home Cough Tips: Dairy, Humidifier, Cold Wet Socks

Top 3 Natural Medicines for Dry and Wet Coughs

Homeopathy for Cough: Drosera, Spongia, Pulsatilla

Show Notes:
Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell's Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child's number one health advocate!

Click here to explore Steph Greunke, RD's Mindset and Metabolism Substack, nuanced discussions on fat loss and behavior change for women.

Watch this episode on our Youtube channel @medschoolformoms

Listen to today's episode on our website



This Episode's Sponsors 
Discover for yourself why Needed is trusted by 15,000+ women's health practitioners, including Dr. Elana and Steph. Needed supports optimal health and nourishment throughout the Motherspan--from preconception through perimenopause. Enjoy their range of practitioner-formulated, third-party tested supplements and get 20% off with code DOCTORMOM. Visit thisisneeded.com
Active Skin Repair is a must-have for everyone to keep themselves and their families healthy and clean.  Keep a bottle in the car to spray your face after removing your mask, a bottle in your medicine cabinet to replace your toxic first aid products, and one in your outdoor pack for whatever life throws at you.  Use code DOCTORMOM to receive 20% off your order + free shipping (with $50 minimum purchase). Visit BLDGActive.com to order.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF to Steph and Dr. Elana on Instagram. They can't wait to meet you!
@stephgreunke
@drelanaroumell

Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only.  All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.

I rolled my eyes at homeopathy the first time I heard about it in med school. Tiny sugar pellets? Now it's the first natural medicine I hand every Doctor Mom, and this video shows you why.
In this Homeopathy 101 episode, Dr. Elana explains the one rule homeopathy runs on: like cures like. You'll see how an onion becomes the remedy Allium cepa, and why homeopathy is its own branch of natural medicine instead of a supplement, herbal tincture, or vitamin. Dr. Elana shares why homeopathy for kids is her number one starting point for your natural medicine toolkit, and why four kids with four different coughs may need four different remedies. She wraps up with the questions moms ask most: what age to start, using it while pregnant or nursing, how to give homeopathic pellets, how long to try a remedy before switching, and whether you can mix remedies.
Topics Covered In This Episode:
3 Things to Know About Homeopathy

What Is Homeopathy? The Like Cures Like Rule

What Homeopathy Is Not: Supplements, Herbs and Vitamins

Why Homeopathy Is the Best Starter Natural Medicine

How to Give Homeopathic Pellets to Kids


Show Notes:
Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell's Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child's number one health advocate!

Click here to explore Steph Greunke, RD's Mindset and Metabolism Substack, nuanced discussions on fat loss and behavior change for women.

Watch this episode on our Youtube channel @medschoolformoms

Listen to today's episode on our website



This Episode's Sponsors 
Discover for yourself why Needed is trusted by 15,000+ women's health practitioners, including Dr. Elana and Steph. Needed supports optimal health and nourishment throughout the Motherspan--from preconception through perimenopause. Enjoy their range of practitioner-formulated, third-party tested supplements and get 20% off with code DOCTORMOM. Visit thisisneeded.com
Active Skin Repair is a must-have for everyone to keep themselves and their families healthy and clean.  Keep a bottle in the car to spray your face after removing your mask, a bottle in your medicine cabinet to replace your toxic first aid products, and one in your outdoor pack for whatever life throws at you.  Use code DOCTORMOM to receive 20% off your order + free shipping (with $50 minimum purchase). Visit BLDGActive.com to order.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF to Steph and Dr. Elana on Instagram. They can't wait to meet you!
@stephgreunke
@drelanaroumell

Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only.  All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.