Dr. Harvey Karp is a well-known pediatrician who has long had a passion for understanding colic and crying. Since 1981, when he received the prestigious Ehrmann Fellowship to study colic and crying, Dr. Harvey Karp has been one of the leading experts in finding relief for babies suffering from the mysterious condition known as colic. Dr. Harvey Karp is also an advocate for breastfeeding and has written a very famous book called The Happiest Baby On The Block.
In his book The Happiest Baby On The Block, Dr. Harvey Karp teaches parents the 5 S’s to help them learn how to calm their baby. The 5 S’s are helpful when your baby is crying, colicky, or just plain uncomfortable. The world is a scary and overwhelming place for a new baby, but with the help of Dr. Harvey Karp, new parents can learn how to quiet their babies’ cries in no time. Combining all five elements will help you and your baby get through those first few days and weeks better than you ever thought possible.
What are the 5 S?
Is it so:
* Wrap. This is the art of snuggly wrapping your baby for warmth and security. Babies often calm down when swaddled, as this mimics how the baby felt in the womb. Swaddling is one of the most effective ways to soothe and calm your fussy baby.
* Lateral/stomach position. You position your baby, while holding him, either on his left side to aid digestion, or on his stomach for reassuring support. Once your baby is blissfully asleep, you can safely put her in her crib on your ba.
* To silence. Most parents do this; they just don’t make it strong enough. Whispering is the normal “shah” noise we all instinctively make when a baby cries, but babies really like this noise. This noise mimics the noise of the womb, so babies will feel calm and secure. Dr. Harvey Karp has shown that making this noise right next to the baby is often very effective.
* Balancing. Swinging, whether in a parent’s arms or in a child’s swing, is very effective at calming a baby. Again, the rocking motions are comforting to the baby because they are similar to the way the baby would rock from side to side in the womb when the mother walked before birth. Swinging is a great way to soothe your baby!
* Suck. Sucking often allows babies to work out their aggression, making it a great resource for parents trying to calm their agitated baby. Sucking can be done with a pacifier, a bottle, or the breast. Sucking is natural, and babies can often relieve gas and colic pains by sucking.
The 5 S’s seem too easy to work with, don’t they? But, these are all effective ways to soothe your baby, just ask any mother of multiple children or any mother who has bought Dr. Harvey’s book. If you haven’t tried the 5S’s with your baby yet, what are you waiting for? It will be the best thing you have ever done for yourself or your baby!
