With the Wind with Dr. Paul – Show 185 Pediatric Perspectives: Tips for Raising Happy Healthy Children, with Larry Palevsky, M.D.
Presenters
Dr. Paul Thomas, Larry Palevsky, M.D.
Length
Approximately 33 minutes
Summary
In this empowering episode, Dr. Paul Thomas welcomes renowned pediatrician Dr. Larry Palevsky for a deep dive into holistic, practical strategies for raising happy, healthy children in today’s world. Dr. Palevsky shares decades of clinical experience, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, emotional connection, and natural approaches to child health from preconception through adolescence. The conversation covers everything from prenatal care and breastfeeding to screen time, emotional development, and parenting through the teen years.
Key Points with Timestamps
• 00:00:40 – Dr. Paul introduces the episode and highlights the release of the VAX FACTS book.
• 00:02:02 – Dr. Palevsky discusses the foundations of healthy conception and pregnancy, including whole-food diets, minimizing EMF exposure, and reducing stress.
• 00:05:36 – The importance of breastfeeding, delayed cord clamping, and avoiding unnecessary interventions at birth.
• 00:07:24 – Why to avoid routine newborn interventions like the hepatitis B vaccine and vitamin K injection, and how to advocate for your newborn in the hospital setting.
• 00:09:41 – Early parenting: the significance of bonding, object permanence, and keeping the home environment calm and supportive for new babies.
• 00:13:10 – Sleep regression explained as a developmental milestone, not a setback, and why “cry it out” sleep training is discouraged.
• 00:15:12 – Nutrition and breastfeeding duration: balancing natural weaning with the child’s developmental readiness.
• 00:17:21 – Dangers of screen time and digital devices for children, and the impact of technology on emotional and social development.
• 00:21:57 – Fostering independence and critical thinking in school-age kids and teens: why parents shouldn’t always solve, answer, or correct.
• 00:25:22 – Parenting teens: setting boundaries, enforcing consequences, and the importance of modeling spiritual and emotional health.
• 00:30:04 – The value of letting children experience challenges and “feeling bad” as part of healthy development.
• 00:31:02 – Spirituality and modeling: how children learn by example rather than instruction.
Web Resources Discussed
• Kids First 4Ever
• Doctors and Science
• VAX FACTS Book (paperback only unless otherwise stated)