Book Review: The Happiest Baby On the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp

Parenthood has been filled with conflicting information for a researcher like me. Attachment Parents versus the Ferber Method. Pacifiers, no pacifiers.  Crib sleeping versus co-sleeping. Internet arguments abound.

If there is one thing I would recommend to any parent regardless of their parental leanings, it's The Happiest Baby on the Block.

When DH and I attended the Childcare Basics Class, the most valuable thing to come out of the entire experience, with the exception of maybe DH's phenomenal swaddling skills, was learning the 5 Ss.

Dr. Karp has come up with an effective 5 step method to calm a crying baby whose other needs have already been met, otherwise labeled as colicky babies.  Now, BB doesn't have colic but the 5 Ss did help tremendously in the first couple of days of BB's life when he would cry despite being fed with a dry diaper and well rested.

He explains that many babies experience their first few months as a fourth trimester where they still need to comforts of the womb while they adjust to life and learn more than the basic instincts they're born with.

Swaddling: Babies are used to cramped quarters and enjoy the security of swaddling.  It also inhibits the Moro reflex (that falling feeling you get when you sleep) which can be kept in check if their arms are prevented from jerking around. Dr. Karp explains that though swaddling alone might not calm a screaming baby (in fact, some babies continue to wail when swaddled), it puts them into a setting where they can pay enough attention for the following 4 Ss to take effect.

Below is a video featuring Dr. Karp's swaddling technique.



Side or Stomach Position: Babies in the womb are not sitting upright.  Nor are they laying flat on their back (which triggers the feeling of falling for them).  They find a side lying position or a stomach position more comforting.

Shushing: Contrary to popular belief, silence is not pleasant for babies.  In the womb, they are surrounded by the sound of rushing blood at a very loud level.  Shushing, white noise machines, the sound of rushing water are all familiar sounds to babies that can help to calm them down by making them feel more at home.

Swinging and Swaying: Imagine the feeling of being cradled and swung, like in a hammock.  Such a relaxing feeling.  Well, that has a lot to do with how we felt in the womb.  Babies before birth are used to constant motion and swinging and swaying a baby in a side laying position triggers relaxation for them.

Sucking: Lastly, babies are used to sucking, often on their own hands, in the womb.  It's one of the few instincts they are born with, needed for basic survival.  Dr. Karp recommends offering a clean finger or pacifier if all the previous Ss combined don't work to calm the baby.

The book is an easy read and fairly short though full of lots of anecdotes proving the success of his method which aren't really necessary.

He also includes some parenting tips and serious symptoms to look out for that might be signs of medical issues causing the crying.

I give this book a 5/5 for information, ease of reading and effectiveness. A parenting must read.

Unexpected Baby Must Haves: 1 to 3 months

We registered for over 100 items for baby but 5 of the items I use the most didn't even make it on the list!  Some items were described as frivolous on Internet baby forums, others didn't fit the kind I parent I thought I would be.  

Turns out, no one knows what's needed until you're living with a newborn.   Your own newborn, in your own life. Especially a crying one. But for what it's worth, here's my list of must-haves that I didn't know would be so valuable.

1. Infantino Activity Gym. Between tummy time and developing baby senses, having an activity gym is critical.  This Infantino version is inexpensive and includes the key things I was looking for: a mirror, detachable plush toys, easy fold and compact size for storing.  The cute patterns and quilt like mat are a plus.  $35.87 - Amazon.com. 

2. Munchkin Wipe Warmer. This was one of the items that people repeatedly told me was a waste. "The baby doesn't care," people said.  "It's a waste of money," they said.   You know what BB said? "WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" at the top of his lungs whenever a cold wipe hit his bottom during changing.  When we started using the wipe warmer, diaper changes (10-15 times a day) became infinitely quieter. $22.56 - Amazon.com. 

3. Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail. I thought we were going to cloth diaper from the beginning but it turns out that dealing with a crying newborn doesn't lend itself to doing a lot of laundry.  DH and I agreed we would put off cloth diapering until we got the hang of breastfeeding and night time sleep routine.  Until then, we had a smelly diaper in the nursery problem which was quickly resolved by this diaper pail.  DH says it was his best baby purchase and even instagrammed it.  I call that Husband Approved. $34.99 - Amazon.com. 

4. Contoured Changing Pad. My mom told me I would be changing the baby all over the house from the bed to the couch and whatever flat surface would be nearby.  People said that changing tables were a waste of money.  So I figured a folding changing pad would be portable and more effective.  This was until I realized how much I wanted my little one to be as comfortable as possible.  We picked up this mattress like changing pad with a waterproof surface.  Thankfully we did because BB quickly showed us how far he could pee and the awesomeness of projectile poop.  Changes have been relegated to the nursery with this changing pad on top of an IKEA dresser that easily wipes down.  $18 - Amazon.com.

5. Graco Gliding Swing. I said earlier no one knows what you need but it turns out my mom knew what we needed.  For some reason I thought I swing was an unnecessary luxury.  WRONG. We quickly realized that this gliding swing my mom bought us was one of the best purchases anyone ever made for us in the history of our lives.  Sound dramatic? This swing was critical in getting BB to sleep and a recommended part of sleep training per Dr. Harvey Karp, the smartest parenting book author in my book. $179.99 - Babies R Us. 

What items did you end up using that you didn't know you couldn't live without?