The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer by Harvey Karp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Some information we'd already heard and were trying. There are some examples of how to do different things and what combinations to try that could be helpful though. Different types of swinging, white noise, and baby massage especially. Will have to mark them down for future reference as the book is a rental and won't be staying in our collection indefinitely.
Some things to remember from the book are listed below.
The 5 S's:
1. Swaddling - tight wrapping
2. Side/Stomach - laying a baby on her side or stomach
3. Shushing - loud white noise
4. Swinging - rhythmic, jiggling motion
5. Sucking - sucking on anything from your nipple or finger to a pacifier
Top 10 ways you can imitate the uterus:
1. Holding
2. Dancing
3. Rocking
4. Wrapping
5. White noise or singing
6. Car rides
7. Walks outside
8. Feeding
9. Pacifiers
10. Swings
10 useful shhh substitutes that can help your baby in the throes of colic:
1. A noisy appliance, like a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner
2. A room fan or a microwave or bathroom exhaust fan
3. Running water
4. A white-noise machine
5. A CD with white-noise sounds
6. A toy bear with a recording of the sounds of the uterus
7. Static on the radio or baby monitor
8. The clothes dryer with sneakers or tennis balls inside (never leave the baby alone on a dryer... she can fall off)
9. A dishwasher
10. A car ride
Top 10 ways to bounce your baby:
1. Rocking in a rocking chair
2. Dancing (with quick little moves up and down)
3. Infant swings
4. Rhythmic pats on the back or bottom
5. Hammocks
6. Baby carriers
7. Car rides
8. Vibrating bouncy seats
9. Bouncing on an exercise ball
10. Brisk walks
5 steps for the perfect baby massage:
1. Prepare for pleasure - About an hour after your baby has eaten, remove your jewelry, warm the room, dim the lights, take the phone off the hook and, if you like, you may turn on some soft music. Have some slightly heated vegetable oil (almond oil is great) within easy reach, and some wipes and diapers too, just in case.
2. Bring yourself to the moment - Sit comfortably with your naked baby right next to you or on your bare, outstretched legs. Place a towel around her body to keep her warm. Now take 5 slow, deep breaths to allow yourself to be fully present for this experience. Once you become familiar with the routine, your attention will naturally focus on your fingertips rather than what you're doing.
3. Speak to your baby with your hands - Rub some oil between your hands and start by touching your baby's feet. Always try to keep one hand in contact with her skin and softly talk to her or sing a lullaby. Uncover one limb at a time and massage it with a touch that is fluid but firm. Let your massage strokes move slowly along her body, in synchronicity with your calm breathing. Use smooth, repetitious strokes over her feet, legs, stomach, chest, arms, hands, back, face, and ears, gently rotating, pulling, stretching, and squeezing. Twist her arms and legs as if you were lightly wringing a wet sponge. Feel free to experiment with using her fingers and different parts of your hands, wrists, and forearms.
4. Reward your baby's tummy - Thank your baby's tummy for doing such a good job. Bicycle her legs and then firmly push both knees to the belly and hold them there for 10-20 seconds to give a nice, satisfying stretch. Then massage the tummy in firm, clockwise, circular strokes, starting at her right lower belly, up and across the top of her tummy, and ending at the lower left side. (This sometimes helps babies release gas or poop.)
5. Follow your baby's signals - If your baby begins to get restless, it's a sign to change your pace or end the massage. Wipe the excess oil from her body, letting a bit remain to nourish her skin. Bathe her with soap and warm water later that day or the next morning.