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Discerning Parenting
Are there days you feel you’ve had it with the sleepless nights, the temper tantrums, the constant fatigue of trying to keep up with an active baby?
Does it feel like you’re always working so hard as a parent, trying to do everything for your kids and family, and yet it never feels enough?
We get it. You love your child more than anything, and yet parenting is also exhausting and challenging. Especially when you’re bombarded with criticism and pressure to be the perfect parent (which, spoiler alert, does not exist!).
But what if you had experts who understand exactly what you’re going through help you navigate the everyday challenges of parenting your baby, toddler, or preschooler? What if they help you use scientific research to your advantage, so you become the calmer, happier, and more empowered parent you’ve always wanted to be?
That's why we created "Discerning Parenting," the podcast that helps you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters in your parenting journey.
Join Dr. Victoria Ang-Nolasco, developmental and behavioral pediatrician, positive parenting coach, author, speaker, and mom, as she and our guest experts tackle your most pressing parenting concerns.
From toddler discipline to helping kids learn to talk or to read, from starting solids and potty training to promoting social and emotional development, this podcast is jam-packed with valuable insights and practical tips specifically tailored for parents of kids age 5 and below. So join us and discover how you can use the combined power of science, knowing your child, and your own intuition in making the best parenting decisions for you and your family.
Head over to discerningparenting.com and get our FREE parenting resource library too!
Discerning Parenting
101 - Weaning and Starting Solids, Pressure-Free: Tips from a Pediatrician and Gut Health Specialist - with Dr. Paula Martinez-Mallari
Are you starting solids with your baby and feeling overwhelmed by all the advice? You’re not alone. In this episode, Dr. Paula Martinez-Mallari, a pediatric gastroenterologist (gut health and nutrition specialist) and mom of four answers common questions and shares practical advice for parents navigating this exciting milestone.
💬 Topics We Covered:
- Going beyond the traditional vs baby led weaning debate... and the #1 thing we should be focusing on instead
- What to do when your baby refuses food
- Letting babies explore textures and tastes
- How to balance breastfeeding/formula with solid foods
- Changes in baby poop when you start solids
- Spotting early signs of constipation
- Taking the pressure off starting solids - for both parents and babies!
📌 Key Takeaway:
Starting solids doesn’t have to be stressful. Enjoy the journey, and remember—it’s a milestone for your baby and for you.
📎 Resources Mentioned:
✅ Our guide to complementary feeding with the short course Feeding Baby Right
✅ FREE parenting toolkit: https://discerningparenting.com/toolkit/
📎 Research Mentioned:
Systematic review on baby-led vs traditional complementary feeding
D'Auria, E., Bergamini, M., Staiano, A., Banderali, G., Pendezza, E., Penagini, F., Zuccotti, G. V., Peroni, D. G., & Italian Society of Pediatrics (2018). Baby-led weaning: what a systematic review of the literature adds on. Italian journal of pediatrics, 44(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-018-0487-8
📌 Points we want to highlight:
1. Modified baby led weaning (taking care to remove choking hazards) appears to be safe. This is good news for parents who want to follow BLW.
2. There's no evidence that babies fed the traditional way grow up to become picky eaters or get stuck eating purees. This is great news for moms who keep trying baby led weaning but it's just not working for them. If that's you, stop feeling like you've failed! Go ahead and feed using the method that is easier for you. You have enough to worry about without adding on this unnecessary pressure.
⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.
⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.
⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.
🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot!
The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.