S6 EP13: Holiday Travel w/ an Infant; Toddler Nightmares

This week on the Moms on Call Podcast, Jennifer and Laura speak with parents Mark and Elizabeth Messenger from Birmingham, Alabama. They share their experiences as a blended family with children ranging from 11 years to seven months old, including their journey with their youngest, James, who spent time in the NICU. They discuss the challenges and blessings of having a routine in the hospital and how it helped their son thrive once home. The episode also touches on the emotional and logistical aspects of parenting, including the balance of caring for multiple children and the support systems that help families navigate these challenges.

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?

This week on Moms on Call, Laura and Jennifer are joined by Kristin Pagano, General Manager of Munchkin. They explore the innovative product development process at Munchkin, highlighting the success of the Miracle Cup and the challenges faced with product failures. The conversation also delves into the balance of work and family life, the importance of consumer feedback, and the personal experiences that shape their professional journeys.

When you have two young children, there are times when you do whatever you can to survive. That is when a mom in Georgia started using the swing to put her 4-month-old to sleep. Now it’s the only way that her little one will fall asleep. This week on the podcast, Jennifer and Laura will give you the steps to get a little one back in the crib. Then, what do you do when your baby suddenly starts rejecting their bottle? We’ve got what to look for to get your baby back on the bottle.

This week on After Hours, Laura and Jennifer are joined by one of the amazing Moms on Call consultants Sydney.  The conversation covers a range of parenting topics, including the challenges and joys of raising children, the unpredictability of life with kids, and the importance of community support. Sydney shares personal stories about her experiences with her three boys, highlighting the unexpected bliss of her third child and the challenges of breastfeeding. The episode also emphasizes the value of having a structured routine for children and the benefits of live Q&A sessions for parents to connect and share experiences.

Mom of three Elisabeth Anderson was blindsided when Hurricane Helene hit her home and she lost everything. They spent hours on top of their car waiting to be rescued with a newborn in her arms. She joins Laura and Jennifer this week to talk about her experience and what she learned from the devastation. Plus, how Elisabeth is helping others be prepared for the worst case scenario.  Follow Elisabeth on Instagram to find her resources to help you prepare for disaster at @theelisabethedit

Finding the right daycare can be one of the most trying parts of being a parent. There are so many things to consider between schedules, kid to teacher ratio, teaching methods, price and much more. What else should parents be looking for that’s not listed on a daycare’s website? This week on the podcast Jennifer and Laura will tell you the questions you need to ask and the red flags to look out for. Plus, they’ll talk to a mom with a very busy little one that is more interested in playtime than dinnertime. Why the 20 minute rule is a game changer when you have an active little one.

This week on the  Moms on Call podcast, Jennifer and Laura speak with Dr. Alice Hoyt, an allergist, and Catherine Jaxon, co-founder of Mission Mighty Me. The episode focuses on the importance of early and regular introduction of allergenic foods to infants to prevent food allergies. Dr. Hoyt explains the historical context and findings of the LEAP study, which demonstrated that early introduction of peanuts can significantly reduce the risk of developing peanut allergies. Catherine shares her personal journey and the creation of Mission Mighty Me, a company offering nutritious snacks designed to help parents easily incorporate peanuts and tree nuts into their children's diets. The conversation emphasizes the need for early and consistent exposure to allergens, aligning with updated pediatric guidelines, and highlights the practical solutions provided by Mission Mighty Me to support parents in this endeavor.  Follow Dr. Alice Hoyt on Instagram at @hoytfoodallergy and check out her podcast 'Food Allergy and your Kiddo'.  Use code ‘MOMSONCALL15’ for 15% off a one-time purchase, or 30% total off your first subscription order at missionmightyme.com Valid until 12/31/25

This week on the Moms on Call podcast, Jennifer and Laura discuss updates to their resources ahead of their 20th anniversary. This includes new content in their books and courses, addressing common parenting challenges such as wake windows, short naps, and early morning wake-ups. They’ll talk about the importance of routine and flexibility, especially for families with multiples, and share insights on managing parenting stress. With a variety of resources, including personal consultations and live group sessions, Moms on Call aims to support parents in navigating the complexities of raising babies and toddlers.

Celebrating 20 years of Moms on Call has Jennifer and Laura feeling nostalgic. So they pulled out some of the letters they’ve received from parents they’ve worked with throughout the years. These stories prove one point, you are not alone in trying to figure out this parenting thing!  Oh, and you don’t want to miss the letter from Kenny Rogers!