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From prenatal care to infant bodywork to teen mental health — what I shared on Mondays with Michael, and what I want every parent to hear.

On May 4th, I joined Dr. Michael Gaeta on his show, Mondays with Michael — a podcast on natural health and health freedom that he has been hosting for more than six years. It was actually my first time on Michael's show, and I was grateful for the invitation and the space to have a real conversation. We covered a lot of ground — prenatal care, infant bodywork, C-section recovery, mental health in children and teenagers, and how parents can find support when the decisions feel overwhelming.

In this episode, we cover:

  • What I recommend for mamas during pregnancy — from what we put in and near our bodies to managing stress and building early connection with your baby
  • Why writing a birth plan matters, how to advocate for your values in a hospital or birth center setting, and why flexibility is just as important as preparation
  • What I've observed in more than 15 years of specialized pediatric bodywork about C-section babies — including the scoliosis and torticollis patterns I see most often
  • My COS (Cranial Occipital Spinal) technique and what early bodywork can do for an infant's developing spine and muscular system
  • The rise in childhood and teen anxiety — what I'm seeing in coaching, and what's actually helping
  • Pacifiers, breastfeeding, and the small decisions that can have a bigger impact than most parents realize
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A personal reflection on the three mothers who shaped Dr. Paul's life — and the love that outlasts loss.

Dr. Paul Thomas Mother's Day reflection post, warm editorial illustration of family love and remembrance

LOVE

My mom, my African mom who helped raise me and my siblings, and my mother-in-law are no longer with us. What I remember most about each was their deep love and caring.

Growing up in Africa as a missionary kid, my mom was who we turned to when sick or injured. She was a nurse by profession, but wow was she gifted at knowing what we needed, both physically and emotionally. I just felt safe that no matter what happened, Mom would know what to do.

My African mom helped my family while my parents were working more than full-time hours. She was always loving and kind and would let you lick up the cake batter after pouring the cake. She was so emotionally available that we always felt safe. Home should be a safe place and both my moms growing up absolutely made our house a home that was filled with love and was safe.

My mother-in-law was the one who was there to help us the first month after the birth of each of my children. She had a great sense of humor, and we laughed about a lot of things. Most importantly she had a deep faith and introduced me to A Course in Miracles. My personal spiritual journey was transformed by her love. On my last visit with her the month she transitioned to the spiritual world, she couldn't walk or talk, but we held hands and communicated love so powerfully that I left with a peace I've only felt a few times in my life.

This Mother's Day I honor all moms for all the work, love, self-sacrifice and caring you have provided your children and the world.

Thank you, Mom.

Love from your son and all in the world you've touched with your love.

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The Vax Facts audiobook is officially available on Audible — narrated by Dr. Paul and DeeDee, in their own words, for your ears.

Vax Facts audiobook cover art on Audible, co-authored and narrated by Paul Thomas MD and DeeDee Hoover, released May 5 2026

Click image to purchase.

We have been waiting for this moment, and today it’s finally here.

The Vax Facts audiobook is officially live on Audible — and we couldn’t be more excited to get this into your hands (and your ears). We narrated every word of this ourselves, because these words matter to us personally. This isn’t a book we handed off to a studio voice. You will hear us.

What You’ll Hear

Vax Facts: What to Consider Before Vaccinating at All Ages & Stages of Life walks you through every vaccine recommended by the CDC — from pregnancy through the teenage years. Dr. Paul covers each one directly: the ingredients, what the safety data actually shows, the side effects, and the risks. Simple comparison tables help you weigh the rates of disease-related deaths against vaccine-related deaths, so you can see the numbers for yourself.

This isn’t about telling you what to decide. It’s about making sure you have the full picture before you do.

A Word from DeeDee — Just a Mom

At the end of each chapter, I share my own stories and reflections as a mom who has lived this journey. I wrote those sections because I know what it feels like to sit in that exam room, to ask the questions, and to wonder if you’re making the right call. You are not alone in that. My hope is that hearing my voice alongside Dr. Paul’s gives you not just the facts — but a sense that there’s a mom in your corner who has been exactly where you are.

Why We Read It Ourselves

When it came time to produce this audiobook, the answer was obvious: we had to be the ones to record it. Every word in this book represents decades of experience, thousands of families, and a deep commitment to informed consent. We wanted you to hear that commitment — not just read it. Whether you’re driving, exercising, or tucking in the kids, Vax Facts can come with you.

Listen on Audible Today

The Vax Facts audiobook is available now. Pre-order is live and the full release drops today, May 5th. Head to Audible to get your copy:

Also Available In Print & Digital

#VaxFacts, #VaxFactsAudiobook, #DrPaul, #DeeDeeHoover, #InformedConsent, #VaccineEducation, #KidsFirst4Ever, #Audible, #NewAudiobook,#PaulThomasMD, @audible_com,

@drpaulthomasmd, @deedeehoover

Disclaimer: The information provided in this content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making any medical decisions. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

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When the science no longer supports a common pediatric recommendation, parents deserve to know — and this one has needed a closer look for a long time.

A newborn baby resting peacefully in a family member's arms, representing the importance of evidence-based newborn health decisions.

When a new baby arrives, parents understandably want to do everything possible to protect them. It's one of the most natural instincts in the world. So when they're told — by their pediatrician, or by the American Academy of Pediatrics — to require everyone who visits to be up to date on their vaccines first, it sounds like responsible medicine.

I've been asked about this practice, known as "cocooning," many times over the years. And I was recently asked about it again by The Defender at Children's Health Defense, for a piece published on April 21, 2026. My answer was direct: this practice should be abandoned.

​What Is Cocooning?

Cocooning is the strategy of requiring family members, caregivers, and visitors to get vaccinated — particularly with the Tdap (whooping cough) vaccine — before they're allowed to visit a newborn. The idea, introduced by public health officials in 2004, was to create a protective "cocoon" of immunity around infants who are too young to be vaccinated themselves, particularly against pertussis (whooping cough).

On the surface, it sounds reasonable. Pertussis can be genuinely dangerous for young infants, and we want to protect them. I understand why parents and physicians embraced this idea when it was introduced.

​The Problem: The Science Doesn't Support It

What changed my thinking — and what I believe should inform yours — is what we now know about the acellular pertussis vaccine.

The acellular pertussis vaccine does not prevent infection. It suppresses symptoms. That's an important distinction. A person who has received the Tdap vaccine can still catch whooping cough and silently spread it — without ever knowing they're infected. Research suggests this asymptomatic transmission may actually be the main driver of the ongoing whooping cough resurgence — meaning that requiring Tdap for visitors may not reduce risk to the baby and could theoretically increase it.

This isn't a fringe position. The CDC's own researchers concluded in 2016 that cocooning is "costly, is plagued with implementation challenges, and has uncertain effectiveness." Their vaccine advisory panel stated as far back as 2011 that it was "an insufficient strategy to prevent pertussis morbidity and mortality in newborn infants."

And yet the AAP continues to promote the practice — and has extended it beyond pertussis to include flu and RSV as well.

"Since pertussis is most dangerous in the first year of life, that [cocooning] seemed like a great approach. The problem is that numerous studies have now shown that the current vaccine does not prevent infection, and it does not prevent transmitting the infection to your baby or to others. In fact, it looks like getting the pertussis vaccine makes you more likely to transmit the infection to others."

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Dr. Paul
(retired)

That last line is the part worth sitting with. The vaccine doesn't just fail to prevent transmission — research suggests it may actually increase the likelihood of silent spread.

Vaccine Failure, Not Unvaccinated People

The ongoing rise in pertussis cases is often attributed to unvaccinated individuals. The data tell a more complicated story.

Since acellular pertussis vaccines were introduced in the United States in the 1990s, Bordetella pertussis strains have evolved. They've lost a protein called pertactin — one of the primary targets of the vaccine — in apparent response to vaccination pressure. In Vax Facts, I also wrote: "The vaccines are no longer very protective, which explains why we are seeing more pertussis than ever. This is not an issue of the unvaccinated but rather of vaccine failure."

This is critical context for any family being told they must vaccinate to see a newborn. It means the policy is built on a premise — that the Tdap vaccine reliably prevents transmission — that the scientific record no longer supports.

Requiring vaccination as a condition of entry pushes people away at a vulnerable time. Dr. Robert Malone has pointed out that "no vaccine, no visit" rules create real and underreported harm: family tension, isolation, and increased risk of postpartum depression. Policies built on weak scientific evidence shouldn't be breaking up family bonds.

​What I'd Want Every Parent to Know

I'm not suggesting that parents ignore newborn health. That protective instinct is right and good. What I am saying is that parents deserve complete, accurate information before making decisions — and the cocooning policy, as currently promoted by the AAP, is not built on solid scientific ground. That matters.

Read the full Defender article. Read Vax Facts. Ask questions. Your baby's health — and your family's wellbeing — deserve decisions grounded in the full picture.

Dr. Paul's signature

Dr. Paul (retired)

#KidsFirst4Ever, #DrPaul, #PaulThomasMD, #Cocooning, #Pertussis, #WhoopingCough, #NewbornHealth, #VaccineScience, #VaxFacts, #InformedConsent, @ChildrensHealthDefense, @KidsFirst4Ever, @PaulThomasMD

This post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

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A pediatrician's current reading list — from a 2016 classic to a 2025 must-read — plus some exciting news about the Vax Facts audiobook.

Three books on vaccine research standing upright on a warm wood surface -- The Vaccine-Friendly Plan by Paul Thomas, M.D. and Jennifer Margulis, Ph.D., Vax Facts by Paul Thomas, M.D. and DeeDee Hoover, and Vaccines, Amen by Aaron Siri -- with a pair of reading glasses in the foreground, a small potted plant to the right, and a soft brushstroke heart accent in the lower right corner.
A recent article in The Defender — Children's Health Defense's online journal — caught my attention. It covers something I hear about regularly in my practice and through the Kids First 4Ever community: more and more parents are actively seeking out pediatricians who will honor their choices and answer their questions without dismissal or pressure.
It's worth a read — and it got me thinking about the resources I point parents to when they're looking to do their own research on vaccines. Here are the books I recommend most.

​The Vaccine-Friendly Plan (2016)

My first book on this topic, co-authored with Jennifer Margulis, Ph.D., had a significant impact when it was published — and it continues to be a foundational resource for parents and providers alike. It lays out a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach to immunity and child health, from pregnancy through the teen years. For updated vaccine information please refer to Vax Facts.
The Vaccine-Friendly Plan

​Vax Facts (2025)

My most recent book, co-authored with DeeDee Hoover, is designed to give parents clear, organized, well-sourced information so they can make informed decisions — without having to sort through competing claims on their own. DeeDee and I wrote Vax Facts specifically for families navigating these conversations today.
Vax Facts

​Vaccines, Amen: The Religion of Vaccines (2025)

Aaron Siri is an attorney who has spent over a decade deposing the world's leading vaccinologists and litigating cases against health agencies. His 2025 book brings a legal perspective to vaccine science that you simply won't find anywhere else. Whether you've been researching vaccines for years or are just beginning, this is a book worth adding to your list.
Vaccines, Amen by Aaron Siri

​Coming Soon: The Vax Facts Audiobook

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Click to pre-order.

Available for pre-order now! 
DeeDee and I just completed the final editing sessions for the Vax Facts audiobook — recorded in our own voices. We are genuinely excited about this one. If you prefer to listen rather than read, keep an eye out: the audiobook is set to be available in July 2026. Pre-order here​.
#VaccineResearch, #InformedConsent, #VaxFacts, #VaccineFriendlyPlan, #KidsFirst4Ever, #ChildrensHealth, #PediatricHealth, #ParentingResources, #DrPaul, #WithTheWind,
The information shared in this post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions.
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Dr. Paul Thomas and DeeDee Hoover join Dr. Elizabeth Mumper of the Independent Medical Alliance to talk about informed consent, parental rights, and how to navigate vaccine decisions with clarity and confidence.

What Happens When Parents Go Silent in the Exam Room?

Most parents will push back in a lot of situations — with a school principal, a coach, even a dentist. But something shifts inside a pediatrician's office. The clinical setting, the white coat, the time pressure — they can combine to close off questions that parents came in ready to ask. Many parents leave feeling rushed, unheard, or unclear about what just happened to their child.
That dynamic — and what parents can do about it — is exactly what Dr. Paul Thomas and DeeDee Hoover addressed in a recent live webinar hosted by the Independent Medical Alliance (IMA). The conversation, titled Parents' Voices Matter: Informed Consent and Vaccine Choice, was hosted by IMA Senior Fellow in Pediatric Education Dr. Elizabeth Mumper and included a live Q&A with the audience.

​Two Skits That Show the Difference

The conversation went beyond discussion. Dr. Paul and DeeDee performed two live skits that illustrated the contrast parents face in real exam room situations.
In the first skit, Dr. Paul played the role of a pediatrician administering the vaccines typically given at a 6-month well-baby visit — 9 to 10 vaccines — in a setting that reflected the pressure many parents experience. The scene was difficult to watch for a reason. DeeDee's tears during the skit were real. They reflect years of bearing witness to the grief of families whose babies and children were seriously harmed — or who did not survive — following vaccination.
In the second skit, DeeDee demonstrated what it looks like to advocate for your child with confidence, maintain your dignity as a parent, and leave the appointment without vaccines if that is your choice. Dr. Mumper closed with a reminder she shared from a friend: when facing pressure to vaccinate, "No" is a complete sentence.

​What the Data Shows

Dr. Paul made a direct statement during the webinar that parents deserve to understand:
"For every vaccine on the CDC childhood immunization schedule, your child is more likely to die from the vaccine than from the disease you are vaccinating for" — Dr. Paul Thomas
The data behind that statement is significant. Dr. Paul noted that total deaths in the US each year from all diseases for which vaccines exist is fewer than 50, while deaths attributed to SIDS and suffocation — which he described as at least 80% vaccine-caused — run somewhere between 2,000 and 4,000 annually.
For a thorough, referenced examination of this data, Dr. Paul and DeeDee's 2025 book Vax Facts walks through the evidence in plain language, with citations, across vaccines and age groups. It is available wherever books are sold, or for a signed and personalized copy — which directly supports the authors — visit vaxfactsbook.com.

​Watch the Full Webinar

The complete interview, including the live audience Q&A, is available on the IMA website:​ Watch: Parents' Voices Matter — Informed Consent and Vaccine Choice
Resources & Links
#InformedConsent, #VaccineChoice, #ParentsVoicesMatter, #VaxFacts, #DrPaulThomas, #DeeDeeHoover, #KidsFirst4Ever, #PediatricHealth, #ChildHealth, #IMA, @PaulThomasMD, @KidsFirst4Ever, @IMAhealthorg
The information shared in this post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions for your child.
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One honest conversation about vaccine study design, informed consent, and what every parent deserves to know

​I want to share something with you that I think is genuinely important — not because it confirms what you already believe, but because it models exactly the kind of conversation I've been hoping more families will have.
A mother came to me firmly in the middle. She supports vaccines. She's not an activist, not a researcher, and not looking for a fight. She's a mom who wanted honest answers to the questions she couldn't get answered anywhere else. And she sat down with me and asked them — directly, openly, and without an agenda.
​That conversation is now available on Kids First 4 Ever, and I'd encourage every parent — pro-vaccine, vaccine-hesitant, or anywhere in between — to watch it.
We cover a lot of ground in about 62 minutes:
  • How childhood vaccine safety studies are actually designed — and why that matters
  • Why most vaccines were never tested against a true saline placebo
  • The role of pharmaceutical funding in the research we rely on
  • Financial incentives built into vaccination programs that most parents don't know exist
  • How disease reporting has shifted over the decades
  • What genuine informed consent should look like for every parent
​This conversation originally appeared on CHD.TV, the media platform of Children's Health Defense. We're sharing it here with full rights, with credit to the original source.
I've spent over 35 years as a pediatrician. My focus has always been informed consent and empowering parents — not telling you what to do, but making sure you have the information to make the decisions that are right for your family. That's what this conversation is about.
You can watch the full video and read the transcript and references here: A Pro-Vaccine Mom & Dr. Paul — Kids First 4 Ever
​Share this with a parent who's been searching for a conversation like this. They'll know who they are.
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Dr. Paul (retired)

#KidsFirst4Ever #DrPaulThomas #InformedConsent #VaccineEducation #VaccineSafety #ParentingInformed #VaxFacts #ChildrensHealth #ProVaccineMom #MedicalFreedom #KnowBeforeYouVaccinate #HealthyKids #ParentsAskingQuestions #CHDtv
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A federal judge has temporarily blocked sweeping changes to the childhood immunization schedule — here is what that means for parents navigating vaccine decisions today.

A person seated at a wooden kitchen table reviews printed papers beside an open notebook and a mug, lit by soft natural window light. In the upper‑right corner, the text reads, “What Parents Need to Know About Vaccine Decision‑Making.”
A Moment of Progress — Interrupted
It is clearer than ever that parents need to take total control of vaccine decisions for their children. The CDC and their advisory committee, ACIP, used to be beholden to pharmaceutical interests, and those interests were aligned with the AAP, AMA, and almost all public health institutions — and thus most doctors.
RFK Jr., as the head of HHS, had finally removed all 17 ACIP committee members and installed members who were highly qualified and without conflicts of interest. That group worked hard to study the childhood vaccine schedule and make new recommendations that were science-based. It was finally looking like public health was returning to proper scientific methods, and the massive influence of the pharmaceutical industry was finally significantly reduced.
What the Court Ruling Actually Does
A federal judge in Boston issued a preliminary injunction that temporarily halts several major vaccine policy actions taken earlier this year by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Specifically, the injunction pauses:
  • The 2026 revision of the childhood immunization schedule
  • The appointments of 13 ACIP members
  • All votes taken by the ACIP committee
So, effectively, there is no functioning ACIP, there are no updated CDC childhood recommendations, and by default there will be a push to return to the old CDC recommendations — before any of these changes were made.
This is politics. And it shows that, more than ever, parents need to take full responsibility for what vaccines — if any — they put into their children.
What We Recommend
Many parents are choosing to pause and research before proceeding with vaccines during this period of policy uncertainty. Remember that the fear messaging that worked so well in the past will continue to be the strategy of choice by the system that profits from vaccines at the expense of our health and that of our children.
​We encourage you to get and read our latest book, “Vax Facts: What to Consider Before Vaccinating at All Ages & Stages of Life.” It covers most of the important science that is typically ignored — specifically ignored by the old CDC, NIH, public health departments, and most doctors.
Parents, trust your instincts. If you need coaching, reach out to us at kidsfirst4ever.com.
​— Dr. Paul & DeeDee (Just a Mom)
#VaccineDecisions, #ParentRights, #ACIPUpdate, #ChildhoodVaccineSchedule, #VaxFacts, #InformedConsent, #KidsFirst4Ever, #PublicHealth, #CDCPolicy, #DrPaulThomas, ​@kidsfirst4ever
Disclaimer:
The information shared in this post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical decisions, including vaccine choices.​
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​Dr. Paul Thomas joins hosts Brittany Whitney and Chelsea Juels to discuss vaccine safety, informed consent, and parental choice in pediatric care.

We’re happy to share that Dr. Paul Thomas was recently a guest on the Moms Ask Why podcast.
​In this conversation, Dr. Paul shares his journey from mainstream pediatrics to advocating for informed consent and parental choice. He and the hosts cover vaccine safety considerations, the childhood vaccine schedule, Vitamin K options at birth, and his perspectives on the HPV and COVID-19 vaccines. The episode also explores the influence of pharmaceutical companies on public health policy and Dr. Paul’s legal history involving the CDC.
​Moms Ask Why is a podcast for parents who want to ask better, deeper questions about their children’s health. We’re glad Dr. Paul had the opportunity to connect with their community.
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts:
Dr. Paul Thomas on Moms Ask Why — Apple Podcasts
Work with Dr. Paul
If this conversation sparked questions specific to your family’s situation, Dr. Paul and DeeDee offer one-on-one coaching sessions to help you think through vaccine decisions and how to communicate them with confidence. Book a coaching session at Kids First 4Ever.
Vax Facts — The Book
Dr. Paul and DeeDee Hoover co-authored Vax Facts, a comprehensive educational resource designed to help parents understand the vaccine landscape and make informed choices for their children. Learn more and order your copy at VaxFactsBook.com.
Resources & Links
Hashtags: #KidsFirst4Ever, #DrPaulThomas, #MomsAskWhy, #VaccineSafety, #InformedConsent, #PediatricHealth, #ParentalChoice, #VaxFacts,
@mentions: @momsaskwhy
Disclaimer
The information shared in this post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your family’s medical decisions.​
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A free virtual event exploring conscious parenting, child development, and what it means to honor every child's innate nature.

We are always paying attention to what is happening in this community — the conversations, the gatherings, the people doing meaningful work on behalf of children and families. And when something comes across our path that we genuinely believe belongs in front of you, we share it. This is one of those times.
​The Perfect Child Summit is a free, three-day virtual event running March 3–5, 2026, and we want you to know about it.
​The premise is one we have believed for a long time: your child is not the problem. The systems that fail to see them clearly are. This summit brings together a remarkable group of speakers exploring conscious parenting, child development, neurodiversity, birth, the nervous system, and what it actually looks like to follow a child's lead rather than force them to fit a mold. These are conversations worth having.
​One voice you will recognize right away: Dr. Lawrence B. Palevsky, MD will be presenting on Childhood Rites of Passage as Nature Intended. Dr. Palevsky has joined Dr. Paul on With the Wind and Pediatric Perspectives before, and if you've seen those conversations, you already know what a clear and grounded thinker he is on children's health. We are glad he is part of this event.
Other speakers include Dayna Martin, Brianna Ladapo, ND, Becky Damgaard, Alison Elsberry, Carrie Crossman, and many more — each bringing something real and considered to the table.
It is free. It is virtual. And it is March 3–5. Register at PerfectChild.org and share it with anyone in your life who is raising children and looking for something more than what the mainstream has to offer.
​Your child is a gift to this world. This summit is built around that truth.
​With love,
​DeeDee and Dr. Paul
 #PerfectChildSummit, #KidsFirst4Ever, #WithTheWind, #DrPaulThomas, #ConsciousParenting, #ChildDevelopment, #FreeVirtualSummit, #DrLawrencePalevsky, #PerfectChild, #HolisticParenting, #RaisingChildren, #ParentingWithPurpose, #ChildrensHealth
The information shared through this event is for educational and informational purposes only. Kids First 4Ever does not provide medical advice and does not endorse any specific clinical approach or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding decisions about your child's health.
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Kids First 4Ever's mission is to educate and inform parents on four fundamental principles for the growth and development of our children.