Dr. Elana Roumell is a pediatric naturopathic doctor and mom of 3 with a mission to teach moms how to safely be a Doctor Mom. She teaches parents how to transform their fear, panic and overwhelm when their child is sick into feeling calm, competent, and confident to prevent illness and treat sickness wisely. She is the founder of The Doctor Mom membership with over a thousand members and host of The Doctor Mom podcast, and with almost 2 million downloads she has helped inspire moms around the world. 

This episode of Designs for Health focuses on children’s health with a special focus on GI and immune health. Together we discuss the insights into the body that can be gained from childhood illnesses and the importance of sickness in developing a strong immune system. Elana shares her recommendations for gut health testing and probiotic usage and offers her advice to parents who are feeling overwhelmed and stressed by the compounding environmental toxins and genetic factors that seem to be working against children’s health. Parents and practitioners alike will be encouraged by her perspective and wisdom. 

I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Key Takeaways:

[2:10] Dr. Elana’s journey to pediatric-focused naturopathic medicine started with a family tragedy. 

[4:18] Common concerns and anxiety-provoking topics that Elana regularly addresses including vaccines, eczema, constipation and frequent illness. 

[6:06] What parents should considered a ‘normal’ frequency of illnesses and why being sick is not a bad thing. 

[9:07] Elana’s 3-pronged approach to and recommendations for treating less severe illnesses. 

[11:44] Vitamin D, DHA and EPA in fish oil and probiotics dosing recommendations for children. 

[18:01] Recent gut testing in children shows that mold toxicity and other environmental factors continue to be a threat to children’s health. 

[21:34] Recommendations for gut health testing in children are based on the severity of symptoms and parental compliance – Elana shares her standard protocol. 

[26:44] Probiotic recommendations for the times when antibiotics need to be taken. 

[29:41] Tactics for dealing with picky eaters when improving gut health. 

[33:30] Eczema insights, considerations and recommendations. 

[38:09] Mold toxicity and genetic susceptibility and indicators that suggest testing for mycotoxins. 

[41:06] The value of herbal medicine in treating hyperactivity and lack of focus in children. 

[43:35] The powerful benefits of limiting screetime and social media during childhood. 

[47:01] Elana’s transition from in-person practicing to online practicing – ‘I’m living my dream’. 

[53:17] Elana’s healthful parenting mindset has shifted over the years, her personal favorite health practices and supplements, and the adaptogens she takes as a nursing mom. 

Episode Resources:

Dr. Elana Roumell

The Doctor Mom Membership

Design for Health Resources:

Designs for Health

Blog: Staying Up-to-Date on Probiotics for Pediatric Health

Blog: Probiotics and Children’s Gut Health

Blog: Recent Review Explores the Impact of Vitamin D Deficiencies in Children

Blog: Recent Study Investigates Potential Correlation Between Vitamin D Status and Bone Fracture Risk in Pediatric Populations

Blog: Research Study Explores the Effects of Supplementation with Omega-3 on Behavioral Health in Preschool-aged Children

Blog: The Latest on PUFAs and the Pediatric Allergic Response

Webinar: Children's Digestive Care: The Role of the Gut and Microbiome in Pediatric Health & Disease

Lindsey Wells – Managing Pediatric Post-Infectious Syndromes, including PANS and PANDAS

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.