10 Things Your Pediatrician Wants You to Know!

Camryn-MomBrain

10 Things Your Pediatrician Wants You to Know!
Together with: Claire Day-Del Monte Realty, Houston, TX

Dr Cara Lye, MD, has over a decade of experience as a hospitalist at Texas Children's Hospital and has seen it all! She currently works in private practice serving families in Austin, TX and is a mom to three amazing kids!
Dr Lye is 'MomBrain Founder Pick' by Camryn whose family has received exceptional care, especially during a rare diagnosis.
Take it away Dr. Lye-Thanks for being a part of Mombrain!

Kids are Cats Until 4 Years Old
Toddlers can be a real hot mess...a fun one but hot nonetheless.They're also like cats—fun but untrainable. Before age 4, you can’t "train" them like a puppy. After 4, it gets easier. So, when you start to lose it, just remember: they’re in their cat phase, and it’s totally normal!
Always Quality over Quantity
Parenting can feel overwhelming, especially when juggling work, new siblings, or life’s demands. I always tell families as they prepare to add siblings or are in a busy season, to remember, it’s the QUALITY, not quantity, of time that matters. Spend 10-15 minutes of device-free time daily with your child, letting them choose the activity. Make it special—this small effort strengthens bonds and benefits both parent and child.
Skip the “Healthy vs Unhealthy” "Good vs Bad" Talk
Shifting how we talk about food helps kids avoid guilt and shame which can lead to unhealthy eating patterns. Instead of "healthy/unhealthy," use terms like "sometimes/always foods" or "short/long energy foods." This approach removes judgment and encourages better choices.
Consistency is Key
Whether it is sleep training, picky eating, helping them learn a new skill, or discipline the most important thing is consistency. I tell parents not to tackle something big like sleep training until they feel like they can commit and be consistent.
The Human Body is Amazing! Remind Your Kids.
Try to talk about what bodies can do and not what they look like or should look like. Reminding them the amazing things their bodies and minds can do helps them to understand how special they are. One of my favorite things to do is to let my patients listen to their own heart beat. Their sweet little faces hearing their own heart for the first time is really magical. Think of ways you can help them see how special they are just by being them!
Picky is as Picky Does
Most toddlers go through a picky phase and this is SO normal. Best thing we can do as parents is to continue to offer a variety of healthy options and not limit what we offer to only what we know they will eat. Always have a safe food on their plate, avoid the power struggles and forcing them to take bites in order to get a reward...they are SO smart and this usually makes it worse.
7.Okay the (big) Feeling
Big outbursts often stem from kids struggling to express feelings. Helping them name their emotions can make a big difference. For example: "I see you're upset we have to leave the playground. It's okay to feel that way, and we’ll come back, but we need to go now." Acknowledging their feelings helps de-escalate situations.
Be Vulnerable
Along the lines of acknowledging and helping your child communicate their feelings, I am always so grateful when parents are willing to be vulnerable in front of their children and share their own experiences. It helps them to feel less alone, reminds them that we are humans and enables us to connect with them and support them more.
Sorry Mom, Power Struggles are NORMAL
Power struggles, whether with toddler tantrums or older kids defiance, are a normal part of development. Try to think of ways you can give them control like offer them choices: “It’s time to put on your shoes—do you want the blue or purple ones?” This works especially well after school when kids feel drained from a day with little control.
No Dumb Questions. I Want to Know the Full Story.
The more I know and have context for parents' concerns the more I can help. If I understand what your worry is, then I can better address it. I always encourage my families to ask questions because it allows me to meet them where they are and make sure we are all on the same page.