If you’re a parent, you probably have a pile of books on your nightstand. Books you’ve read and loved, books you feel like you should read, and books that you wish you had time to read. And if you’re the parent of a newborn, the revised and updated 2nd edition “The Happiest Baby on the Block” by Dr. Harvey Karp has most likely found a place on your nightstand.
The book’s subtitle –The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer” — resonates with new parents nationwide. With more than one million copies sold, it’s clear that readers embrace the book’s goal of transforming a crying, colicky baby into one who’s happy and carefree.
But you don’t have much time to read, right? New parent + colicky baby = zero reading time, we totally get it! So we’ve done the work for you. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll find in “The Happiest Baby on the Block.”
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How to Create a “Fourth Trimester” at Home
You probably can’t imagine being pregnant for a fourth trimester! But Dr. Karp helps readers understand the situation from your baby’s I was so happy in thewomb and now I’m not” perspective. His theory of the missing fourth trimester” explains why your newborn still longs for the comfort of the womb and what you can do to recreate the soothing womb-like environment right at home, thanks to the “5 S’s” (described below).
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The 5 S’s and How They Help
This is probably the most vital part of the book, because it’s help for a fussy baby. Dr. Karp — and a whole lot of parents– swear by these five soothing techniques: swaddling (perfect your snug burrito wrapping skills), side/stomach (using baby’s preferred “calming” position to soothe him), shushing (loudly to recreate the womb sound), swinging (“tiny jiggles” back and forth), and sucking (bring out the binky!).But Dr. Karp doesn’t just introduce readers to the 5 S’s, he devotes a chapter to each one, providing a thorough understanding of why each is important, and equipping you with ways to effectively reproduce these elements that have worked for centuries.
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The Calming Reflex and Why It Matters
Babies have safety reflexes, feeding reflexes and fetal reflexes, but did you know that babies also have a calming reflex, which is, essentially, an off-switch for crying? According to Dr. Karp, it’s the calming reflex that effectively soothes crying when you provide sensations reminiscent of life in the womb. How do you that? The answer is the 5 S’s
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The “Cuddle Cure” and Why It Works
Okay, so now you know that the 5 S’s mimic the womb and can switch on the calming reflex to result in minimized or eliminated periods of crying and — yes — a happier baby! But here’s the next step: each of the 5 S’s can be used alone, collectively or in combination, depending on your baby’s preferences and needs.Dr. Karp calls this the “Cuddle Cure” and describes it as your baby’s “perfect mix of S’s.” Every baby is different and prefers a different combination of swaddling, shushing, swinging, etc. Finding your baby’s perfect combination and “Cuddle Cure” can play an important part in achieving that wondrous dream of the “happiest baby.”
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Why Most Theories About Colic Fall Short
We’ve all heard the theories behind the causes of colic — gas, allergies, maternal anxiety, you name it — but Dr. Karp explains how and why these theories just don’t add up. He explores the reasons that colic is virtually unknown in some cultures and what we can learn from that fact. (Hint: the 5 S’ are the answers that check all the boxes. )
But Wait, There’s More!
Dr. Karp provides an awesome appendix section. It’s packed with valuable, mustread information, including a New Parent’s Survival Guide — Ten Key Tips,” that tells you why you should “Keep Your Sense of Humor Handy” and why it’s important to “Be Flexible.” The guide is filled with good reminders and is perfect for those fleeting two-minute intervals when you need a quick laugh between diaper changes and nap times.
Filled with real-life anecdotes, bits of gentle humor and appealing line drawings, “The Happiest Baby on the Block” is an informative, fun read that will help take your newborn from fussy to ‘all smiles.’ Join the conversation about this book by sharing your thoughts in the comments section or on Facebook or Twitter.
