#384: What Moms Need to Know About Puberty and Mood Swings in Boys with Dr. Cara Natterson

"Doctor Mom" Podcast | Practical Tips to Be a Proactive Parent

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Puberty often begins earlier than most parents expect and shows up in subtle, easily missed ways. In this episode, we speak with bestselling author and pediatrician Dr. Cara Natterson to demystify the emotional, social, and physical changes boys go through during puberty. We discuss what early signs to watch for, why silence is often mistaken for disconnection, and how to keep communication open even when your child begins pulling away.

You'll learn what puberty really looks like (hint: it doesn't start with facial hair), how hormones affect boys differently than girls, and what parents can do to build trust, connection, and confidence through this critical phase. Dr. Cara offers practical strategies for discussing sensitive topics, such as body changes, screen use, and emotional outbursts, without awkwardness or shame.

Whether your child is 5 or 15, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and reassurance to support them with compassion and clarity as they grow.

Topics Covered In This Episode:

Signs of early puberty in boys that parents often miss
Emotional regulation and mood swings in tween boys
Why boys go silent and how to reconnect
How to talk about body changes without awkwardness
Creating safe boundaries while honoring privacy

Show Notes:

Learn more about Less Awkward
Listen to This is So Awkward Podcast
Read This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained
Follow @CaraNatterson on Instagram
Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell's Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child's number one health advocate!
Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD's online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood.
Listen to today's episode on our website

Caitlyn earned her degree in Dental Hygiene in 2016 from West Los Angeles College after almost a decade in the dental field as a dental assistant in Southern California. In 2020, Caitlyn and her family moved to the Treasure Valley in the beautiful state of Idaho. She has years of experience working in Conventional, Integrative and Airway focused dentistry. Caitlyn is passionate about early identification of craniofacial growth and jaw development deficiencies in children. These negative growth patterns can have profound effects on sleep, breathing and the TMJ into adulthood.

Caitlyn believes that Myofunctional therapy is one of the most underutilized treatment modalities in dentistry. Her goal as a therapist is to bridge the gap between oral and systemic health with a focus on nasal breathing, tongue posture, correct swallow and lip seal. She is passionate about encouraging proper craniofacial growth in children and supporting breathing and sleep optimization in all ages.

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Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only. All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.

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