The Happiest Baby on the Block; Fully Revised and Updated Second Edition: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer

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Never again will you have to stand by helplessly while your little baby cries and cries. There is a way to calm most crying babies . . . usually in minutes!

Why is it so hard to get a baby to sleep? Thousands of parents, from regular moms and dads to Hollywood superstars, have come to baby expert Dr. Harvey Karp to learn his remarkable techniques for soothing babies and increasing sleep. Now his landmark book—fully revised and updated with the latest insights into infant sleep, bedsharing, breastfeeding, swaddling, and SIDS risk—can teach you too! Dr. Karp’s highly successful method is based on four revolutionary concepts:

1. The Fourth Trimester: Why babies still yearn for a womblike atmosphere . . . even after birth
2. The Calming Reflex: An “off switch” all babies are born with
3. The 5 S’s: Five easy steps to turn on your baby’s amazing calming reflex
4. The Cuddle Cure: How to combine the 5 S’s to calm even colicky babies

With Dr. Karp’s sensible advice, parents and grandparents, nurses and nannies, will be able to transform even the fussiest infant into the happiest baby on the block!

Praise for The Happiest Baby on the Block

“Dr. Karp’s book is fascinating and will guide new parents for years to come.”—Julius Richmond, M.D., Harvard Medical School, former Surgeon General of the United States

“The Happiest Baby on the Block is fun and convincing. I highly recommend it.”—Elisabeth Bing, co-founder of Lamaze International

“Will fascinate anyone who wants to know how babies experience the world, and wants to answer their cries lovingly and effectively.”—The San Diego Union-Tribune

Review

Praise for The Happiest Baby on the Block

“Dr. Karp’s book is fascinating and will guide new parents for years to come.”—Julius Richmond, M.D., Harvard Medical School, former Surgeon General of the United States

“The Happiest Baby on the Block is fun and convincing. I highly recommend it.”—Elisabeth Bing, co-founder of Lamaze International

“Will fascinate anyone who wants to know how babies experience the world, and wants to answer their cries lovingly and effectively.”—The San Diego Union-Tribune

About the Author

Harvey Karp, M.D., is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the USC School of Medicine. He is the bestselling author of The Happiest Baby on the Block, The Happiest Toddler on the Block, and The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep: Simple Solutions for Kids from Birth to 5 Years. Dr. Karp is also a nationally renowned expert in child development, children’s environmental health, and breastfeeding. He lives with his wife in California, and his adult daughter lives in New York.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Babies: A New Insight

Main Points

• All babies cry, but most new parents have little experience soothing them.

• The missing fourth trimester: Babies cry because they’re born three months too soon!

• The calming reflex: Nature’s brilliant “off switch” for your baby’s crying.

• The 5 S’s: Five simple steps to imitate the womb and turn on the calming reflex.

• The Cuddle Cure: Comforting your baby with his/her preferred mix of S’s.

Suzanne was freaking out. Her two-month-old, was a nonstop screamer. Sean could cry for hours—even through the night—and his mother was desperately exhausted. One afternoon her sister, Angie, visited to help. As soon as Angie picked Sean up, Suzanne bolted to the bathroom for a hot shower. Twenty-five minutes later, she awoke, curled in a ball on the shower’s blue tile floor being sprayed with ice-cold water.

While this was happening in California, on the plains of Botswana, Nisa nursed her baby, Chuko. Chuko was delicate and small, but she rarely cried for more than a few seconds.

Nisa carried Chuko everywhere in a leather sling. She never worried when Chuko cried, because—having cared for so many little cousins—she knew exactly how to calm her.

Why did Suzanne fail at soothing Sean’s screams? And what secrets did Nisa know that settled Chuko so quickly?

Your Baby Is Born

When perfectly dry, his flesh sweet and pure, he is the most kissable object in nature.

Marion Harland, Common Sense in the Nursery, 1886

If you’re pregnant or have a new baby, congratulations! Having a baby is a wonderful—and wonder-filled—experience that makes us laugh, cry, and stare in amazement . . . all at the same time. It’s a miraculous and profound life event that can make gamblers give up gambling, drug addicts stop getting high, and hard-core bikers buy minivans!

After giving birth, your top jobs for the next few months will be feeding your baby well and calming her cries. After thirty years as a pediatrician, I can tell you that parents who succeed at these tasks feel proud and confident. However, parents who struggle with them feel distraught and incompetent.

Fortunately, baby feeding is usually pretty easy. Most newborns happily gulp down the milk as if you were a five-star restaurant. And if you run into difficulties, there are many places to turn for help. Soothing crying, on the other hand, can be unexpectedly hard.

No couple expects their sweet newborn to be “difficult.” (Your friends may share horror stories about screaming babies, but most of us think, That won’t be my child!) So we’re usually shocked when our little one’s wails go on and on no matter what we do.

Now, I’m not saying crying is bad. In fact, it’s brilliant! Leave it to nature to equip helpless babies with a way to make even the most exhausted mom vault out of a warm bed—on a cold night—and hustle over to meet her little one’s needs.

Once your fusser has your attention, you’ll want to zip through a short checklist:

• If she’s hungry . . . feed her.

• If she’s wet . . . change her diaper.

• If she’s cold . . . bundle her up.

• If she’s hot . . . unwrap her.

• If she’s lonely . . . pick her up.

The trouble comes when none of these steps works.

Fifty percent of babies have bouts of inconsolable fussiness lasting two hours a day—or more. And 10–15 percent—about half a million new babies born each year—suffer three-plus hours of red-faced, eye-clenched screaming a day.

This is why new parents are such heroes!

A baby’s scream is heart-wrenching. And hours of inconsolable crying can trigger a panic of self-doubt: “Is my baby in pain?” “Does she hate me?” “Am I spoiling her?” “Does she feel abandoned?” “Am I a terrible mother?”

Distraught parents are often counseled that there’s no cure for fussy, sleepless babies. They are told they must wait a few months for their baby to “grow out of it.” Yet, it feels like torture to sit by while your baby cries and cries.

Confronted by this barrage, even the most loving parents may get pushed into waves of anxiety, depression, or the tragedies of suicide or child abuse.

Note: I’ve been told that Navy SEALS are trained to endure severe sleep deprivation and hours of infant crying blasted over loud speakers. In other words, the military prepares warriors to handle torture by exposing them to . . . a typical day in the life of a new mom or dad!

Help Wanted: Where Do Parents Turn When Their Baby Cries a Lot?

Today’s moms and dads are among the most educated parents who ever lived. But when it comes to babies, they have less experience than any generation in history! Shockingly, we’re required to have more preparation and training to get a driver’s license than to have a baby.

Of course, regardless of your training you should still expect to be the target of an onslaught of advice. Family, friends—even total strangers—shower us with their counsel. “It’s boredom.” “It’s the heat.” “Put a hat on him.” “It’s gas.” I think America’s favorite pastime isn’t baseball. . . . It’s giving new moms unsolicited advice.

And, advice is something parents of fussy babies definitely need. One in six couples takes their baby to the doctor because of persistent crying. Yet, while thousands of clinics have been created to solve feeding problems, very few are set up to help with screaming babies. In fact, most doctors have little to offer families of colicky babies, other than sympathy. “I know it’s hard, but be patient; it won’t last forever.” Or, even worse, “Just put your baby in a dark room and let her cry. She just needs to blow off steam.” (Hey, babies aren’t pressure cookers.)

Top baby experts usually confess that they have few tools to help really fussy babies:

Very often, you may not even be able to quiet the screaming.

Heidi Eisenberg Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, Sandee E. Hathaway, and Sharon Mazel, What to Expect the First Year

The whole episode goes on at least an hour and perhaps for three or four hours.

Penelope Leach, Your Baby and Child

Crying up to five hours a day is not unusual. When you begin to become very frustrated with a baby’s crying, it is time to set the infant in a safe place and walk away.

Period of PURPLE Crying program

Well, it turns out that these ideas are all obsolete. Screaming does not have to go on for hours. And what’s even more concerning, when left unchecked, nonstop crying can trigger serious problems, like postpartum depression, crib death (from unsafe sleeping practices), and failed breast-feeding.

Of course, if your patience is frayed and you fear you might hurt your child, you must put her down . . . take a break . . . and call a friend for help. But if a mom in the wilds of Africa can calm her baby in under a minute, you can bet that there’s probably a way to help unhappy babies in our culture, too.

The Four Principles of BABY Soothing

Botswanan moms carry their infants in leather sacks twenty-four hours a day (cuddling and bouncing as they walk). They also calm their infants by nursing them fifty to a hundred times a day . . . including all through the night! You may not be ready to adopt the Botswana lifestyle, but the key lesson of their success is that colic is not inevitable. Persistent crying is an unintended side effect of our culture. However, the good news is that, with the right techniques, we, too, can calm most screaming bouts in under one minute.

By teasing out shreds of wisdom from past cultures and weaving them with modern research, I’ve found that the key to calming crying and boosting sleep can be explained through four simple ideas:

• The missing fourth trimester

• The calming reflex

• The 5 S’s

• The Cuddle Cure

Review:

4.9 out of 5

98.33% of customers are satisfied

5.0 out of 5 stars Would Highly Recommend!

R.F. · May 15, 2021

I'll preface by saying this book could probably be reduced by about 1/3 of it's length (there' a LOT of repeated information and sometimes he either bounces around to much between topics and/or takes too long to get to the point) BUT that doesn't change the fact that his techniques genuinely do work amazingly and we've found them to be a major help in knowing how to almost instantly calm our newborn son down when he's upset. There's probably nothing in here that's necessarily groundbreaking, but I think the strength of this book is that it lays out a very methodical and likewise comprehensive approach to how to address fussy and upset babies step-by-step as opposed to just trying random techniques you read/heard about from scattered sources until you find something that maybe works... We learned of the book from my brother who suggested just skipping over the the beginning segments and getting right to the 5 S's (a suggestion the book likewise makes if you're time-crunched and/or already have a fussy baby to contend with), but I read this book before our son was born (hence had a lot of time!) and I decided to read the whole thing and don't regret it. You won't really learn much outside of the chapters on the 5 S's that you can actually use to help your baby, but nonetheless I found it kind of interesting just to learn some of the history/context/info on the mindset of babies and why they do some of the things they do. I find it comical to read some of the Bolo reviews from people saying the book is a waste of time pointing out that you could just read about the 5 S's via a short article online - of course you could, but that kind of defeats the point of reading a comprehensive book and source of information on the particular topic that's much more thorough than a 1 page article can be. If you want to get the most out of the book and be well-prepared, take the time too read the book in my opinion, it's not that long and even for a slow reader like myself I got through it very quickly. Have definitely already recommended this book to several friends that are expecting!

5.0 out of 5 stars Happier baby journey unveiled

G.A. · February 8, 2024

Dr. Karp's approach to soothing fussy infants is not just a technique but a revelation, providing a compassionate and effective toolkit for calming even the most colicky babies.The book introduces the 5 S's—swaddling, side or stomach position, shushing, swinging, and sucking—as a gentle and reassuring method to replicate the womb environment. Dr. Karp's insights into the calming reflex and the fourth trimester concept offer a deeper understanding of newborn behavior.As a parent, I found the practical tips and step-by-step instructions immensely helpful during those challenging moments when my baby was inconsolable. The reassurance that comes with understanding a baby's needs and providing comfort in a way that aligns with their natural instincts is invaluable."The Happiest Baby on the Block" isn't just a manual for calming babies; it's a guide to building a strong and nurturing connection with your little one. If you're a new parent seeking an empathetic and proven approach to soothing your baby, Dr. Karp's insights are a must-read. 📚👶💤✨

5.0 out of 5 stars Great confidence booster for dad - techniques can be successfully implemented immediately after birth!

s. · December 31, 2015

This is an excellent book! My husband read this book before our baby was born. Although I found a synopsis to be enough for me (no need to read a whole book for five main techniques), as an engineer, he really liked understanding all of the "whys" behind the methods, and understanding the reasoning gave him more empathy for our baby. My husband started implementing the techniques in this book immediately in the hospital right after the birth, and they really worked! It was extremely helpful for his confidence as a dad and for my confidence in him / us as we started the adventure of parenting (especially when I was recovering from childbirth in those early weeks). We have continued using these techniques for months, and they make a huge difference. Sometimes babies get overly tired and don't even know why they are crying anymore, and these techniques help to soothe quickly to get down for a nap. Truly, I do not know where we would be without a good swaddle and turning our baby on his side while swaddled, because he can be losing it completely and then the swaddle / gentle bounce calms him down very quickly. The one thing I wish the book did mention but does not is that it IS possible for a swaddle to be too tight on the legs - the latest research shows that babies need room to bend and straighten their legs for safe growth of their hips, so it's ok to do a fairly tight swaddle such that their arms cannot escape, but there does need to be slack at the feet.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read as a new parent

J.B. · April 1, 2023

It is very recommended to read for a new parent. Very easy read but very valuable. It gives tips on how to soothe a crying baby. However, what lacks in this book is how to put the baby to sleep and keep them asleep. It does tackle it briefly, though.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lifesaver for New Parents

C.A. · April 24, 2024

As a first-time mom, navigating the initial stages of motherhood felt overwhelming—until I found this book. It provided me with much-needed guidance and peace of mind at a time when I felt utterly lost. Motherhood is challenging, especially in the beginning when everything is new and you’re still getting to know your own child. This book became my go-to resource, helping to ease my anxieties and offer practical advice that I could trust. Because of how much it helped me, I now give this book as a gift to all my pregnant friends, confident that it will serve as a great guide for them as well. For any new parent feeling daunted by the journey ahead, this book is a treasure worth having.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for New Parents to be!

C.M. · August 9, 2024

I read this book before our first child was born 20 years ago, and now I give it as a gift to new parents. Any book that helps you understand your baby's needs and aids them in sleeping through the night is a must! If you've ever been a sleep-deprived parent, you know exactly what I mean. People were always surprised at how well our babies slept, and it continued through their toddler years. I owe it all to this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book

H. · May 26, 2024

A must have for new parents

I must read for any new parents completely changed my life

T. · July 9, 2023

I must read for any new parent. I was struggling a lot with the newborn phase and this book completely changed my whole experience. I’m so grateful I found it. My baby was so much happier and I followed the practices in this book and my husband and I were so relieved.

Works like magic.

G.d.A. · October 21, 2023

Some of these concepts are intuitive for many people, but I’d argue that anybody can learn something from this book.

Must read for first time parents managing 0-3 month babies!

A. · October 19, 2023

Very practical, real and grounded guide on handling a newborn baby through weeks 0 to 12, the fourth trinester. It is a great book walking parents through the very first days of parenthood, step by step. With a new born baby in hand, most of us are quite clueless on what to do with the baby, mostly helpless and sometimes even scared of how delicate the baby seems. This book truly is a life saver in empowering parents in handling their baby. Loved it thoroughly and Dr.Karp does a great job in keeping the narrative well sequenced.Pros-1) love the reassuring tone of Dr.Karp, he focuses on giving parents a lot of confidence and writes in a very understanding tone of the true difficulties parents face. His simple and effective methods are a life changer.2) Teachings are very practical, easy to follow and implement/experiment on what works with each unique baby, and well backed by research, evidence, analogies and short snippets from parents who have transformed using these techniques3) The book is well structured into 2 parts, Part-1 on why managing a new born is unique and hard and Part-2 on how to manage. One is free to follow any sequence suited and does not have to necessarily read in the chapter order of the book.4) Consistent message is handled, and there are many instances which are so very relatable to new parents. Contrasting that to olden days/indegenous cultures give a great insight into why parenting is so hard in today's context and how to cope with those struggles.Cons-1) Book gets repetitive during the read, literally same sentences are repeated several times in many chapters.2) For a book that speaks to calming babies and improving sleep, very little is spoken about sleep and feeding habits/nutrition suited for new born. In that sense, the book falls short of giving a rounded perspective to parents on the ingredients that makes a happy baby. For example, how many feeds, effect of light exposure on sleep routines etc are absent and not even cursorily spoken about.Verdict -Definitely worth the purchase, it's a fun read and is very relatable in the struggles explained and the understanding tone of communique makes it a beautiful reading experience.

Awesome book

L. · April 30, 2021

This is the magic trick every new parent needs. Definitely helped me through the first few months.

Magic

P.C.N. · November 18, 2019

I was very skeptical that 5 simple steps would work fir a very fussy baby and i am so glad i was wrong. By following the 5s rigorously, just in the first try my baby magically stopped crying and slept

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The Happiest Baby on the Block; Fully Revised and Updated Second Edition: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer

Name: The Happiest Baby on the Block; Fully Revised and Updated Second Edition: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer
Brand: Random House Publishing Group
SKU: U0553393235
Price: 9.46 BHD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (12 reviews)

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