Episode 182: Communicating with Respect — The RIE Approach with Melani Ladygo

Your Child is Normal: with Dr Jessica Hochman

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In this episode, I'm joined by Melani Ladygo to explore the RIE approach — a respectful, relationship-based way of communicating with children from infancy onward. Developed by Magda Gerber in the late 1970s, RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) is built on the idea that even the youngest babies deserve to be treated as capable individuals, with mutual respect at the core.

Melani shares how RIE gives parents a practical framework for setting boundaries without being either too harsh or too permissive. We talk about what respectful caregiving actually looks like with infants and toddlers, how to respond to challenging behaviors like hitting, biting, and tantrums, and why staying calm and connected matters so much — even when emotions run high.

If you're looking for a parenting approach that blends empathy, clear boundaries, and authentic connection, this conversation will offer both inspiration and real-world tools you can start using right away.

👉 To learn more about RIE or find a certified RIE associate near you, visit RIE.org.

👉 To find Melani Ladygo check out her website

Dr Jessica Hochman is a board certified pediatrician, mom to three children, and she is very passionate about the health and well being of children. Most of her educational videos are targeted towards general pediatric topics and presented in an easy to understand manner.
For more content from Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica
Website: www.askdrjessicamd.com
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Do you have a future topic you'd like Dr Jessica Hochman to discuss? Email Dr Jessica Hochman [email protected].
The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditions or formulate treatment plans for specific individuals. If you have a concern about your child's health, be sure to call your child's health care provider.