Happiest Baby on the Block!

I recently got this movie from my local library, by Dr. Harvey Karp. If you have not seen this yet, and you have a new born, or are having one soon, these are excellent techniques to try. In the movie, he speaks about how new babies are different than other animal species in that they are really just still developing in so many ways-- and that we can help them transition into this unfamiliar place by comforting them with familiar sensations they have been used to in the womb.

He uses 5 techniques; the 5 S's, which activate the baby's innate calming reflex:

Swaddling (mimics the tight space inside of the womb)
Shooshing (mimics the loud noises they are hearing inside of the mother)
Side stomach position (mimics positioning in the womb)
Swinging (mimics motion in the womb)
Sucking (which may naturally calm baby)

Having used several of these techniques on the triplets that I work with, I know that these techniques can work very well when you have an upset baby! At times, I will just try swaddling or shhhhh-ing, and that alone may work. He encourages using as many as necessary to calm the baby. The best news is that he claims that using these tips may even help your baby sleep longer.

If you are interested, you can find the book, "Happiest Baby on the Block," by Dr. Harvey Karp, or the video, "Happiest Baby on the Block."