(Meet)
Dr. Monica Taylor
Experienced Pediatrician & Food Allergy Advocate
Dr. Monica Taylor, MD
The entire Free to Feed™ team couldn’t be more excited to welcome Dr. Monica Taylor!
As a pediatrician, she brings valuable support to your family as you navigate baby food allergies. She’s cared for families just like yours and understands the true struggle of the road ahead.
Tired.
Worried.
Seeking to feel heard and get answers.
We get it.
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Within moments of talking to Dr. Taylor, you may think, “She doesn’t seem like a normal doctor.” It’s because she’s not! She has a parent-centered approach to her care. She knows what might work for one family — won’t for another.
As an experienced doctor, passionate about helping those with food allergies — she’s joining our incredible team of professionals to propel our mission forward!
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Her Biggest Drive: Helping Children & Families Like Yours
Dr. Taylor brings over 20 years of medical experience as a practicing pediatrician to the Free To Feed™ team. She’s ready to work with your family and make sure your child receives the best medical support.
She was born in New Jersey but spent most of her early years in Philadelphia. Her love of children stems from her childhood. At the age of 7, her life goal was to become a mom. (Imagine a little girl taking precise care of her baby dolls.)
As she says, “I think I was born to be a pediatrician. I became the neighborhood caretaker as a child and loved it. One time a boy broke his arm and the bone was coming through the skin. Everyone was freaking out, except for me. I didn’t know it then but it was a sign I was meant for medicine.”
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When you talk to Dr. Taylor, you’ll quickly feel like you’re talking to a friend. Her laugh’s contagious and welcoming. When you’re struggling in the depths of food allergies — she gives the reassurance you need as a parent going into your next doctor's appointment.
Dr. LaChiana talks about Free to Feed™ all time and guess who works with her? Dr. Taylor! As a physician navigating her own patients with food allergies, she’s always been eager to give more than her training in medical school. Now, she plans to extend that support to any Free to Feed™ a family that needs it!
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Dr. Taylor’s Experience and Education Specifically Serve Our Families
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After living in Philadelphia for almost ten years, her family moved to New York. In high school, she was active in sports like basketball, soccer, and lacrosse. Even if she wasn’t “good” at all the sports she played, she loved being part of a team.
She was dead set on going to medical school and becoming a pediatrician. Her best friend says she’s the type of person who follows through with what she says she’s going to do.
Our mission to educate, inspire, and empower food allergy families will only be amplified with Dr. Taylor on our team. She’s seen firsthand the lack of resources for infant food allergies. In medical school, she was trained to switch breastfeeding mothers to formula when dealing with certain persistent symptoms, like mucous or blood in the stool.
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In the last 5 years, she has seen the shift in mothers making sacrifices to continue breastfeeding through infant food allergies. Now, she doesn’t recommend switching to formula, unless the parent wants that for their family. Dr. Taylor knows it’s possible to continue breastfeeding through food allergies with proper education, resources, and support.
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Her powerful education and experience include:
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Bachelor of Art Degree in Psychology and Health in Society (University of Rochester)
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Doctor of Medicine Degree (Temple University School of Medicine)
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Medical Residency at Tod Children’s Hospital (Youngstown Ohio)
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Pediatrician (Salem, Ohio)
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Member of The Diagnostic Referral Group (Youngstown, Ohio)
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Pediatrician for BJHCHS School-Based Health Program
Let’s be honest for a minute. Everyone’s busy, and you only have a certain amount of time to address your questions at an appointment. When you’re dealing with a food allergy baby, it can feel like you don’t have enough time to go over everything.
When you’re exhausted, starving, and dealing with postpartum hormones, it’s hard to keep all the information together. A consult with Dr. Taylor not only begins to steer you in the right direction on your personal journey — but helps you get more answers from your child’s provider, wherever you’re located.
She’ll give you solid topics to address during your visits like your feeding goals, food allergy testing, referrals and so much more.
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Dr. Taylor prepares you for your child’s doctor's appointment —
so you get the most out of your visits!
5 Fun Facts About Dr. Taylor & Her Family
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Her husband Keith helped her move into her apartment- way before they started dating.. Another friend played matchmaker and 20 years later, they’re still happily married. Her favorite thing about him? He does the small important things, like bring her her favorite ice cream or take over dinner duty when her fibromyalgia kicks up.
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She’s insanely proud of her four children. Kiara just graduated with a Master’s degree in social work. Shalina finished her degree in finance. Robert plays football and has been accepted to college. Nia, her “mini-me,” loves school and is thinking about being a pediatrician. (Dr. Taylor can and will talk about her kids all day if you let her!)
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The family currently lives in South Carolina and loves taking cruises when they can. Dr. Taylor’s a huge Disney fan — maybe more than her whole family put together.
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Favorite foods? “Tiramisu and warm crusty bread with olive oil or butter, I don’t care!” *insert contagious laugh*
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Favorite hobbies? “I love a nap, I’m sorry. Also scrapbooking. I make my kids one for when they graduate and our vacations.”
Dr. Taylor’s Advice to Parents Who Just Found Out Their Baby Has Food Allergies
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“This might not be standard but I recommend they work with a nutritionist. As a pediatrician, I want to ensure children get proper nourishment with a balanced diet — and the parent when removing food groups. Plus, hidden allergies are tricky and can be in the most random places.”
Dr. Taylor's Motivation to Support Breastfeeding Parents Through Infant Food Allergies
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“I’m here to encourage the parents. It’s going to be hard, I’m not going to lie. You’re going to be tired and stressed out but you are doing your best. You have to give yourself credit on this difficult road.”
What Dr. Taylor Wishes People Understood About Baby Food Allergies
“Most baby food allergies aren’t permanent! Peanut and shellfish… sorry, likely to stay. You’ll have an epi-pen. All the other food allergies don’t mean forever. I’ll continue to reassure parents that most infant food allergies are temporary.”
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