New babies are difficult. Don't you wish they came with a manual? Well, now there is one! Hosted by a pediatrician mom, The Baby Manual will help guide you through everything you actually need to know to take care of a baby. Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, I bet you’ll hear something
What does “getting back to normal” actually look like after having a baby—and is six weeks really enough time to recover? Dr. Carole Keim talks with board-certified OB/GYN and integrative medicine physician Dr. Kate Hom about the realities of postpartum recovery, from hormonal changes and pelvic floor health to nutrition, birth trauma, and mental health. Learn why recovery often takes longer than six weeks and how the right support, movement, nutrition, and professional care can help mothers navigate their new normal. Just trying to survive with a newborn? Sign up for emails that will give…
Wondering whether a babysitter, nanny, or au pair is the right childcare option for your family? Dr. Carole Keim shares what parents should know when bringing a caregiver into the home, from family boundaries and safe sleep to infant CPR and emergency preparedness. Guests Carson Wagner of Lifetime of Love Nannies and former au pair Marion Marcotte explain how professional nannies and au pairs work—and how to decide which type of support best fits your family. Just trying to survive with a newborn? Sign up for emails that will give you just a few sentences per week and help you troubleshoot…
Is sleep training really the only way to help your baby sleep? Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Jen Lumanlan, host of the Your Parenting Mojo podcast and author of Parenting Beyond Power, to explore respectful parenting from the newborn period onward. Learn how understanding your baby’s needs—and your own—can help you build connection through crying, feeding, diaper changes, play, boundaries, co-regulation, and other everyday moments. Just trying to survive with a newborn? Sign up for emails that will give you just a few sentences per week and help you troubleshoot what's going on until your baby…
Is sleep training really the only way to help your baby sleep? Dr. Carole Keim sits down with internationally certified baby sleep consultant Camille Jaramis, founder of Ask Yawn, to explore what healthy sleep really looks like during the first two years of life. They discuss newborn sleep, the four-month sleep regression, wake windows, developmental leaps, and practical ways to support your baby's sleep without unnecessary pressure or unrealistic expectations. Just trying to survive with a newborn? Sign up for emails that will give you just a few sentences per week and help you troubleshoot…
Can you build a support system even if you don't have family nearby? Raising a baby was never meant to be done alone. In this solo episode, pediatrician Dr. Carole Keim shares practical ways to build your own parenting village, from pregnancy through the newborn stage, with realistic strategies for finding support, protecting your mental health, and making life with a new baby more manageable. Just trying to survive with a newborn? Sign up for emails that will give you just a few sentences per week and help you troubleshoot what's going on until your baby turns 1:…
Do you want to make more sustainable diapering choices without sacrificing convenience? Dr. Carole Keim sits down with entrepreneur and innovator Miki Agrawal, founder of HIRO Diapers, Thinx, and TUSHY, to discuss the environmental impact of disposable diapers, the science behind HIRO's fungi-powered diaper technology, elimination communication, and practical ways parents can reduce waste while caring for their babies. Just trying to survive with a newborn? Sign up for emails that will give you just a few sentences per week and help you troubleshoot what's going on until your baby turns 1:…
Do you want to learn how to potty train your newborn and cut down on your poopy diaper burden? Dr. Carole Keim and guest Andrea Olson, founder of Go Diaper Free, Tiny Undies, and Tiny Potty, discuss elimination communication and offer parents an encouraging look at an alternative approach to toileting. Just trying to survive with a newborn? Sign up for emails that will give you just a few sentences per week and help you troubleshoot what’s going on until your baby turns 1: https://www.carolekeim.com/email-series PRODUCTS I RECOMMEND TO MAKE LIFE EASIER: The Baby Manual…
Bringing home a new baby comes with so many questions, and feeding is often at the top of the list. In this solo episode, Dr. Carole Keim walks parents through the basics of newborn feeding with a reassuring message: fed is best. She explains what to expect during the first days of life, including how small a newborn’s stomach really is, how breastfeeding develops over time, and why feeding can feel challenging in the beginning. Parents will learn about colostrum, milk production, feeding frequency, and how to recognize signs that their baby is getting enough to eat.
Dr. Carole Keim sits down with neurologist and Mama Bird founder Dr. Mika Gupta for an insightful conversation about baby brain development and the critical role nutrition plays from preconception through early childhood. As both a physician and a mom, Dr. Gupta draws on personal experience and explains the concept of the “first 1,000 days”. She explains why this window is so important for building a strong foundation for a child’s lifelong brain health. Together, Dr. Keim and Dr. Gupta explore how thoughtful nutritional choices can support mom and baby during this period of rapid growth and…
Dr. Carole Keim sits down with neurologist and Mama Bird founder Dr. Mika Gupta for an insightful conversation about baby brain development and the critical role nutrition plays from preconception through early childhood. As both a physician and a mom, Dr. Gupta draws on personal experience and explains the concept of the “first 1,000 days”. She explains why this window is so important for building a strong foundation for a child’s lifelong brain health. Together, Dr. Keim and Dr. Gupta explore how thoughtful nutritional choices can support mom and baby during this period of rapid growth and…
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Dr. David Tusek, board-certified Family Physician and Founder of Cloud Medical, to the show to discuss early childhood development and the good habits that set children up for life. Dr. Tusek identifies the five pillars of health and discusses personalized and preventive childhood medicine with Dr. Keim. The conversation explores modern habits and their impact on children, the critical role of parents, and the idea of introducing a whole-person health framework into children’s growth to ensure emotional and physical well-being.
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes pediatric cardiologist Dr. Tal Gospin, MD, to The Baby Manual to talk about what pediatric cardiology is and how it differs from adult cardiology. Dr. Gospin explains how much of pediatric cardiology is concerned with congenital heart disease, abnormalities people are born with. She watches for the shape of an infant’s heart and the sounds it makes, even in utero, and discusses exactly what she looks for with Dr. Keim. They explore fetal echocardiograms, infant heart function, and what parents can watch for in newborns to see if a pediatric cardiologist needs to be…
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes pediatric neurologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Rochester, Dr. Justin Rosati, MD, to the show to talk about pediatric neurology. They explore what he sees in children as a pediatric neurologist and what parents can look for. Dr. Keim and Dr. Rosati discuss febrile seizures, developmental delays, epilepsy, infantile spasms, and anything neurological that can affect babies and toddlers.
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatric Rheumatology Dr. Cristina Saez, MD, to The Baby Manual to discuss what rheumatology is and how pediatric rheumatology works. She studies and has training in autoimmune diseases, specifically ones affecting bones, muscles, joints, or multiple organ systems, in children.
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes neonatologist and chair of pediatrics at Tufts Medical Center, Dr. Geoff Binney, MD, MPH, to The Baby Manual for a conversation about what expectant parents should know regarding newborn care and the NICU, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Drs. Keim and Binney discuss the age of viability for premature babies, advances in neonatology such as surfactant therapy for Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and the different levels of NICU care available depending on gestational age and medical needs.
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes pediatric dentist Dr. Ian Kott, DDS, to The Baby Manual to talk about children’s oral hygiene, everything from brushing teeth to weaning kids off pacifiers. Dr. Kott explains when a child’s first dental visit should happen and what to expect from it, and gives tips on how to start brushing children’s teeth as soon as the teeth appear. Dr. Keim and Dr. Kott discuss cavity prevention, the importance of discouraging thumb sucking and pacifiers, and when to consider discontinuing bedtime bottle use.
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes pediatric dermatologist Dr. Teresa Wright, MD, to the podcast to talk about baby skin care, birthmarks, eczema, and anything to watch out for with a baby’s skin that could potentially be dangerous. Dr. Wright works at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and is also faculty at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. She shares her journey into pediatric dermatology and explores all manner of common skin concerns, conditions, and questions regarding infants and their skin care with Dr. Keim, based on a wealth of experience and knowledge.
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Dr. Jason Bronstein, a pediatric pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, to The Baby Manual. Dr. Bronstein shares his journey from general pediatrics to specializing in childhood asthma, sleep apnea in children, and other pediatric breathing issues. He explains the types of cases referred to a pulmonologist, such as persistent chronic cough, difficulty breathing, or repeated respiratory infections. Dr. Keim and Dr. Bronstein discuss how conditions like asthma or congenital lung disorders are diagnosed, and Dr. Bronstein…
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Dr. David Tegay, DO, to The Baby Manual to talk about genetics, the different types of testing and screening involved in genetics, and how it’s a key part of pediatric medicine. Dr. Tegay was in residency when he encountered a patient who required a consult from a clinical geneticist from Mount Sinai, and the experience fascinated him so much that he moved from his internal medicine residency to a fellowship in genetics. He discusses all aspects of his field with Dr. Keim.
Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Dr. Lauren Kanner, MD, to The Baby Manual to discuss the wide-ranging field of pediatric endocrinology. Dr. Kanner is the Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, and she shares how she got into the specialty before discussing the conditions she treats. She offers information and insights into thyroid disorders, growth hormone deficiency, early and delayed puberty, and Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in children based on her knowledge and years of experience.
Dr. Carole Keim talks with Dr. Victoria Martin, MD, MPH, a gastroenterologist, a specialist who focuses on everything related to the stomach and intestines in babies. Dr. Martin trained in pediatrics and became interested in what happens in baby intestines, especially early on, during training. She talks with Dr. Keim about things like blood in a baby’s stool, protein allergies, signs of food allergies in children, and what to look for at home for signs of intestinal distress. She differentiates between what might be cause for concern versus what is normal for infants regarding reflux,…
Dr. Carole Keim discusses baby apps and electronics in this episode, exploring what is helpful and what isn’t necessary. Dr. Keim says that not much is really needed in terms of electronics for babies. The things she recommends include baby trackers, baby monitors, white noise machines, Kindle for mom, and aromatherapy diffusers to aid with sleep. She details what each app or electronic item does and highlights specific brands and best use practices.
Dr. Carole Keim talks all about teething and feeding needs for babies in this episode. Teething usually happens at around six months of age, but teeth can appear any time in the first 0 to 18 months of life. Dr. Keim shares all the best teething information to prepare new parents. She goes through everything from what to feed babies and when they start eating certain foods to high chairs, covering all the feeding needs.
Dr. Carole Keim addresses health and hygiene products in this episode. She details which hygiene items are actually necessary for newborn babies and then explains medications to keep on hand for newborns. She also recommends some medications useful to have for babies over 6 months of age. With each item Dr. Keim offers insight and advice, as well as identifying certain popular products not actually required for babies.
Dr. Carole Keim explores how to travel with your baby in this episode. What is best for going out and about or abroad with your baby? Dr. Keim starts right from the first trip of your baby’s life - going home from the hospital - and covers everything from safely riding in the car, diaper bag supplies, and longer-term travel necessities. There is a lot out there so Dr. Keim carefully narrows down all the products to highlight the most important items.
Dr. Carole Keim talks about diapers and potty training your babies and toddlers in this episode. She discusses disposable versus cloth diapers, and the benefits of both in terms of convenience, expense, and sustainability. She shares practical advice on potty training by highlighting which items are most useful in assisting your baby in the transition from diapers to the potty. The best things to buy are highlighted here for new parents.
Dr. Carole Keim talks about breast and bottle feeding and what works to make both types of feeding more comfortable and efficient. She recommends listening to the information on both types of feeding even if one or the other method has already been decided on because babies can have a preference. Pumping is a good option to pursue in addition to breastfeeding so the baby can get used to bottle feeding in the first four months. It opens the option of going back to work or leaving the baby with a relative if needed.
Dr. Carole Keim talks about everything moms need in this episode. More specifically, everything that is needed for pregnancy, labor and delivery, the hospital, and post-partum. One of the most common questions asked is what to pack for the hospital. Dr. Keim answers that question, and many more, with insight, advice, and practical suggestions on which brands are the most useful to purchase. Expectant moms and new moms will find this episode invaluable, as will family members looking for purchases that can support moms.
Dr. Carole Keim talks about baby furniture in today’s episode. She summarizes the furniture needed for your baby as a place for your baby to sleep, a place to set your baby down in each room, some stuff to care for your baby’s everyday needs, stuff for travel, and some babyproofing items. But there are so many things on the market, how can you know what’s useful and what isn’t? That’s what this episode is about.
Dr. Carole Keim is a pediatrician, mom, and author who helps new parents all over the world understand their babies and navigate the challenges that arise daily. In season four she will guide listeners in sorting through pregnancy, baby, and toddler items that are useful versus those that are a waste of time and money. The focus of today’s episode is baby clothing. What do you really need to clothe your baby and what is helpful? And what clothes are really just cute but not that functional or useful?
About The Baby Manual
New babies are difficult. Don't you wish they came with a manual? Well, now there is one! Hosted by a pediatrician mom, The Baby Manual will help guide you through everything you actually need to know to take care of a baby. Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, I bet you’ll hear something
The Baby Manual is a English kids & family podcast from Dr. Carole Keim MD. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
