What is colic? Colic is a term used to described babies who cry loud and for long periods of time with no explanation. Often their faces are twisted as if they are in pain. Parents think they may have gas and a trip to the doctor reveals everything is normal, yet baby continues to spend a large portion of daily awake time crying at the top of her lungs. Parents often feel at a loss as to what to do for these babies. Dr. Harvey Karp, a respected pediatrician, researched this dilemna and began working with parents of babies with colic. The result is his book The Happiest Baby On The Block.
The Happiest Baby On The Block addresses the question “How Can I Calm My Baby?” by looking at the top five actions parents have taken across cultures over thousands of years. Now a national bestseller, Dr. Karp’s book presents “the 5 S’s”: Swaddling, Side Position, Shhh Sound, Swinging, and Sucking.” Dr. Karp’s theory is that babies respond to the 5 S’s when used in combination because they provide an experience for baby that closely resembles the experience of the womb. Soon, with these techniques, even the fussiest baby learns to be calm. Dr. Karp presents the “5 S’s” in a simple manner so parents can try them at home and quiet baby’s cries.
The Happiest Baby On The Block: by Harvey Karp, M.D. (New York: Bantam Books, 2002).
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