Milestones

Saying ‘No’ is Important!

🚫 Children need to hear and understand the word ‘no’—and more importantly, they need to know why they’re hearing it.

🗣️ What happens when kids hear ‘no’?

✅ They learn about consequences

✅ They understand boundaries

✅ They develop resilience As kids grow, they will face rejection and negative criticism—and they need to know how to handle it positively.

💡 Real-life lesson:

Dr. Mona’s daughter recently worked on an Eagle Scout project, collecting donations for families in need. She approached seven grocery stores for permission to set up a donation table. Five of them said no.

Instead of getting discouraged, she accepted it and moved forward. Because ‘no’ is okay!

Teaching kids to accept ‘no’ helps them build confidence, resilience, and problem-solving skills.

Dr. Chheda – Babies control their appetite by volume. When you feed your baby milk and their stomach is full, they will stop eating. They will close their mouth, and you won’t be able to get anything else in them— and that’s perfectly fine!

🍼 Newborns only need breast milk or formula.

🚫 Giving them anything else, such as water or sugar water, fills up their stomach without providing calories or nutrition. This can be unhealthy because:

❌ Water has no calories.

❌ Water has no nutrition.

✅ Breast milk and formula already have the hydration babies need! After 6 months, babies can start drinking small amounts of water. You can always consult your pediatrician when introducing it. For the first 4 months—ONLY milk!

👦 Kid: Dr. Chheda, what does one hour of playing video games do to my brain versus reading for an hour?

👩‍⚕️ Dr. Chheda: That’s a great question! A lot of kids play video games, and the effects depend on the type of game.

🎮 Video Games:

Can be interactive

Multiplayer games encourage social interaction

Improve reflexes and eye coordination

BUT they can be addictive, making you want to play repeatedly

📖 Reading:

Engages your brain deeply

Expands vocabulary

Boosts intelligence

More of a solitary activity

Both have pros and cons, but reading helps you become more intelligent!

Keep reading to grow your brain! 🧠✨

Dr. Chheda – A compassionate look at why teens might resist personal care:

Body changes and self-consciousness

Common hygiene resistance patterns

Why forcing habits often backfires

Natural motivation development

Tips for patient parenting

A candid discussion about balancing video games with other family activities:

Why daily gaming isn’t recommended

Setting weekend limits

Creative alternatives for family bonding

Making screen time meaningful

Dr. Chheda – Learn about an evidence-based approach to creating a nurturing environment for your toddler. The Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) helps parents:

Understand their child’s needs

Create positive environments

Implement effective discipline

Build stronger parent-child connections

Visit: TripleP.net

Dr. Chheda shares vital guidance about creating a support system for your pre-teen:

Why kids need another trusted adult besides parents

How to choose the right mentor

Understanding confidentiality

Building a community of support

A candid conversation about the link between technology and rising anxiety in children, featuring insights from “The Anxious Generation” and practical recommendations for parents:

The 2012 iPhone correlation

Age recommendations for smartphones and social media

The importance of unsupervised play

School phone policies

Dr. Chheda – A crucial parenting guide about protecting your newborn during their most vulnerable period:

– Why the first 2 months are critical for immune system development

– Safe activities vs. activities to avoid

– Guidelines for visitors and travel

– Tips for new parent self-care

Dr. Chheda answers a curious kid’s question about potatoes and weight gain in this fun, educational chat! Would eating a pound of potatoes or French fries make you gain a pound? The answer might surprise you! Dr. Chheda breaks down the science in kid-friendly terms.