The Bed Rest Book Club
Share it!
  • Blog
  • About
  • Dining (Vegan and Nonvegan)
  • Running Stuff
  • Recipes!

Book #2: "The Happiest Baby on the Block," by Harvey Karp, M.D.

6/17/2009

3 Comments

 
Picture
Cats do not require swaddling
My friend Liz suggested this book. She had her first child in October, a bubbly, smiling bundle of perfection named Wes. Liz made an excellent point by recommending I read baby care books now, while my wits and cognition (and sleep schedule) are still in tact. She attempted to do so after the birth, and said she was so sleep-deprived, much of the advice went in one ear and out the other. I am a big fan of sleep and calm babies, so it was first on my Amazon book order.

Synopsis:  Dr. Karp makes an argument that the first three months of life for a baby are actually more like the 'fourth trimester,' a time when the baby is still developing and not yet ready to interact with a world outside of the womb. He details the five 'S's: swaddling, side position, swinging, shushing, and sucking, and how to implement each to calm a fussy or crying baby. He finishes with what he calls the 'cuddle cure' - a sure-fire approach that combines the five S's, allowing your baby to feel safe, secure, and able to sleep comfortably.

I had mixed feelings while reading this book. Obviously, I have no baby to practice the techniques on, so I cannot comment yet on its effectiveness. I attempted to swaddle Emma with one of our new Halo sacks, and was rewarded wtih some flying fur and a scratch on my arm. I tried some of the other 'S's on my husband, as he is usually cranky and overtired by the time he gets home from work. The only 'S' that worked was the 'Shush!' He did quiet down, but I don't think it soothed him. In fact, I think it hurt his feelings.

If Dr. Karp's techniques are effective, this man deserves a Nobel Prize. He makes some big claims in the book but is quick to caution new parents to always rule out major medical problems when the baby is fussy. He also offers fascinating anthropological evidence that highlight how other cultures calm and soothe newborns in their tribes. I remember a class during graduate school when the professor commented that in some parts of the world, the baby is never set down for the first few months of life. They remain close the mother or caregiver, with skin to skin contact, and never too far from comfort of a beating heart. This comment has stuck with me for over eight years, and it was nice to see come confirmed evidence from another source.

I also really dig the idea of the 'fourth trimester.' I've always been slightly terrified of newborns.  Their lack of interaction with the rest of the world (other than to cry) makes me feel as though I'm flying blind. Irrationally as it may be, it would be nice for the child to look up and give some feedback, like, "Hey, you're doing this right," or "Nope, still not happy."  Dr. Karp's idea gives me a sense of comfort to lower my expectations for those first 90 days, and learn to chill out.

I think my mixed emotions came from the many examples of parents and children used in the book, and the description of each babies' unique tempermant. I'm almost embarassed to admit this, but I haven't thought much of what our baby will be like once he actually arrives.  Since week 17, I've been solely focused on keeping this baby inside of me without giving much thought to what happens after week 37-40. 

Just the thought of this - our little guy, in the world - brought me practically to tears. Will he be fussy like his mom? Will he be quiet and analytical like his dad? Will he be opinionated like his cat sister? (we're not ruling anything out). It's just such a weird moment to think, oh, yeah, this is a person. I'm gestating a person. It's not about ultrasounds and fibroids and bed rest...it's about life and the creation of a new person. Holy cow, I'm actually going to be a mom.

Sorry to get all sappy. I blame it on the hormones. This book certainly did get me thinking of life after birth, and that is a very good thing. I guess I'm probably like any new mom - anxious, excited, overwhelmed.

I just want things to go well.

Grade:  A

P.S. Comments are appreciated! I'm always interested to hear other's opinions and experiences on this subject.

3 Comments
Brooke Harris Hostetler
6/19/2009 03:22:01 am

Kim, this book saved me and my husband with my first son. I don't think his advice works miracles but it did significantly reduce his fussing. Now, Happiest Toddler on the Block was a bit out there for me....but HBOTB was worth it.

Reply
Heather Shelton Hare
6/19/2009 07:58:56 am

In grad school we learned so much about the nature vs nurture thing. After school I began working with kids and their families and became a firm believer in the environmental effects on a child's temperament.

Then Caleb was born. My world changed. My husband and I are very laid back, relaxed people. This child seemed like a miniature devil-boy from the day he was born. Even the nurses didn't want to keep him in the nursery. His temperament was and remains horrid. Quick to anger, demanding, and very stubborn. Now he's two, holy cow I didn't know it could get worse.

I received this book as a gift. I have heard that it works great for many of my friends so I would definitely use it as a #1 resource. For us however, we might as well have burned it because nothing has seemed to work for him...

So I guess we've learned you never know what quite to expect with infants/kids and that you go day by day in learning how to cope. This book can definitely provide good tips!

Keep up the good work!

Reply
Air Jordan link
3/4/2011 01:54:07 pm

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    About Me

    Think of this as the epilogue to Bridget Jones' story. Well, mostly. Bridget marries the handsome lawyer, starts a blog while on bedrest, and decides marathon running sounds like fun. Bridget goes through a divorce but keeps running. Hilarity ensues. 

    Archives

    September 2020
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    September 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009

    Categories

    All
    Adolescence
    Baby Activities
    Baby Care
    Bed Rest
    Book Reviews
    Bravo Tv
    Breast Feeding
    Cool Stuff
    Craftiness
    Craig\'s List
    Dogs
    Emma
    Ethical Dilemmas
    Family
    Family Relationships
    Food
    Football Season
    Friendship
    Google List
    Grief
    Guest Blogger
    Guest Bloggers
    I Hate Our Neighborhood
    Junior League
    Kernicterus
    Milestones
    Motherdhood
    Motherhood
    Movies
    My Bladder
    New House
    Numbers
    Pending Reviews
    Post Partum
    Potty Training
    Potty-training
    Pregnancy
    Relationships
    Reviews
    Running
    Scary Stuff
    School
    Scotty
    Sleep
    Sororities
    Sunshine Cupcakes
    Surgery
    The Bobby
    The Holidays
    The Miracle Blanket
    The New House
    Todderville
    Toddlerville
    Toys
    Tv
    Tv Review
    Tv Reviews
    Unpopular Opinions
    Vegas
    Weight Loss
    Weird Stuff Kim Says
    Work

    RSS Feed

Thanks for reading!