MOMS ON CALL

This week on Moms on Call, Jennifer and Laura chat with speech-language pathologists Kathy Brunner and Sharilyn Gugliotta, longtime clinicians and co-founders of the Bughugables book series. They talk about early speech and language development and practical ways parents can support it in everyday life. Find the Bughugables books and check out Kathy and Sharilyn’s free resources at bughugables.com

This week, the Moms on Call podcast continues the Toddler Essentials series focusing on helping parents create positive, low-stress mealtime experiences for toddlers by clarifying roles, adjusting expectations, and tailoring strategies to different child temperaments. Laura and Jennifer will explain why parents are responsible for providing a variety of tasty, age-appropriate foods, while toddlers decide whether and how much to eat. They highlight the importance of atmosphere—parents eating alongside their children, keeping conversation light and fun, avoiding excessive focus on the child, and maintaining predictable mealtimes to support toddlers’ internal rhythms.

It’s May and the beginning of the Toddler Essentials Series! This week Jennifer and Laura are focusing on navigating all the toddler emotions. They’ll talk about why “big feelings” are normal, manageable emotions driven by curiosity and development rather than malice or manipulation, emphasizing that toddlers learn cause and effect and social behavior through experimentation, including hitting or biting. This a great time for parents to remember that toddlers are strong, adaptable, and resilient, and that repeated, confident messages of belief in their capabilities—especially after tantrums, before bed, and in front of trusted adults—lay the foundation for self-regulation, kindness, and future empathy.

This week the Moms On Call focuses on creating a stress-free, connection-centered approach to feeding babies and toddlers from 6 to 15 months, emphasizing atmosphere over strict nutritional targets before 12 months of age. Jennifer and Laura encourage offering a variety of foods, textures, and spices, aiming for three to four different food groups per meal, with babies eating mostly what the family eats by about 7–8 months as long as foods are “mushable.” The episode highlights the importance of including children at the family table, avoiding pressure tactics like counting bites, and cultivating a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere with conversation and even background music to model positive attitudes toward food.

This podcast episode from Moms On Call explores key developmental milestones and practical parenting strategies for children aged 6 to 15 months, focusing on motor skills, exploration, and emotional development. Jennifer and Laura discuss the rapid progression from crawling to walking, the development of fine motor skills like the pincer grasp and self-feeding with a fork, and how increased physical activity can support better sleep.

It’s a bonus episode in the Newborn Essentials Series this week as Jennifer and Laura provide advice on establishing routines for infants and toddlers, emphasizing the importance of creating scripts for daily life to connect feeding and sleep rhythms. They’ll advocate for flexibility within routines, allowing parents to adapt to life's unpredictability while maintaining a sense of predictability and structure. They stress the importance of parenting out of truth rather than fear, encouraging parents to trust their intuition and adapt their approach to each child's unique needs.

This week on the Moms on Call Podcast, Jennifer and Laura are continuing the Newborn Sleep Essentials and deep diving into creating a routine for success for your newborn. They’ll talk about the benefits of aligning feeding times with the body's natural rhythms to aid digestion and promote better sleep. Plus, addressing common challenges, such as managing unpredictable wake windows and the importance of a consistent bedtime routine for long-term family bonding.

This week on the Moms on Call podcast, Jennifer and Laura welcome Liz Sommer Wilcox, RD, Registered Dietitian at Nurture Life, to share practical tips for feeding kids well. She shares her insights on feeding children and the importance of creating a positive mealtime environment. Liz, who is a part of Nurture Life, emphasizes the benefits of involving children in meal preparation to combat picky eating and promote a healthy relationship with food. She discusses the significance of balanced nutrition, highlighting the need for variety and repeat exposure to different foods. The episode also addressed common parental concerns about picky eating and portion sizes, offering practical advice to alleviate mealtime stress. For 55% off your order + FREE shipping, visit NurtureLife.com/LIZ and use code LIZ.

This week on After Hours Jennifer and Laura are joined by Moms on Call consultant Alexandra Pereira. A former cardiac ICU and NICU nurse, she shares her experiences as a mother of three young children, discussing the importance of consistent boundaries and the challenges of parenting multiple children. Alex emphasized the significance of creating a structured environment for children, which helps in building their confidence and decision-making skills. She also highlighted the value of maintaining calm amidst the chaos of family life, using strategies like contact napping and engaging children in activities to manage daily routines. These insights reflect the core philosophy of Moms On Call, which is to empower parents with the tools and confidence to thrive in their parenting journey. Follow Alex on Instagram at @em.parent.ment

This week on the Moms on Call Podcast Jennifer and Laura are joined by the founders of Playhouse MD, Dr. Kaitlin Wiseman and Sydney Wiseman, discuss their innovative approach to transforming pediatric healthcare through play. They share their personal experiences and insights on how incorporating playful elements into medical devices can alleviate anxiety for both children and parents during healthcare visits. The discussion highlights the importance of creating positive experiences in healthcare settings and the impact of their products on children's engagement and cooperation during medical procedures. They also touch on the challenges and rewards of building a business centered around improving children's healthcare experiences. Head to https://playhousemd.com/ and use code MOC20 for 20% off your order. For 55% off your order + FREE shipping, head to NurtureLife.com/MOMSONCALL and use code MOMSONCALL.

This week on the Moms on Call Podcast, Jennifer and Laura are joined by Joanne Schneider, Chief Experience Officer at Oula and Co-Founder of Kindbody. She shares her journey in women's health, discussing her experiences as a mother and her professional endeavors in creating Kindbody and Oula. The discussion emphasizes the need for personalized pregnancy care, the importance of sleep and routines, and the significance of postpartum support. Joanne highlights the value of family traditions and being present as a parent, while also addressing the innovative approaches in healthcare that prioritize patient autonomy and respect. Follow Joanne on Instagram at @joanne_schneider or on her Substack A Little Woo. Learn more about Oula at oulahealth.com or Kindbody at kindbody.com For 55% off your order + FREE shipping, head to NurtureLife.com/MOMSONCALL and use code MOMSONCALL.

This week on Moms on Call, Britt Riley, founder of Haven, shares her journey into the childcare industry, driven by her experiences as a mother. She discusses the unique approach Haven takes in providing flexible childcare solutions for modern families, emphasizing the importance of community support and the feedback from both parents and children. Britt reflects on the challenges of starting a business while raising kids, the surprises of motherhood, and the need for integration between work and family life. The conversation highlights the evolution of childcare and the positive impact Haven has on families. Learn more about Haven at yourhavenlife.com

It’s the holiday season and between all the dinners, presents and family time keeping your baby on a schedule can seem daunting. This week on the podcast, Jennifer and Laura have the tips and tricks to keep your little one on their Moms on Call schedule through the holiday season. Then, speaking of sleeping through the night, what do you do when your toddler suddenly isn’t? Could it be nightmares or something else going on?