As a new parent, you get a lot of advice, some good, and some, you can just let go in one ear and out the other. A few weeks before Noel was born, I was at my friend's house, and it was time for her 1 1/2 year old to go to bed. He stood at the stairs and waited at 7 PM. She took him up, and was back down stairs with him quietly in his crib at about 7:02 PM. I was stunned! How did she do it? From the day he was born, she used the techniques outlined in The Happiest Baby on the Block and stuck with them.
To "make" a happy baby, just follow the "5 S's" outlined in the book. The author, Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician, bases these principles on what he considers a "missed" 4th trimester, in which a baby's nervous system is not quite ready to be out of the womb, but because of the constraints of a human body, it must be. I know that this might sound a bit confusing, but once you read the book, it will make so much sense!
We incorporated the 5 S's (swaddling, swinging, sucking, shushing, and the side/stomach hold) into Noel's routine while we were still in the hospital. The night he was born, he slept with me, tucked in my hospital gown. When he heard another baby cry, he started to whimper, and I started shushing...he was immediately quiet and went right back to sleep. I knew then that I would be a "Happiest Baby" convert, and I was! Noel slept soundly almost all the time. If ever he would get really upset, we'd use all the S's at once, and he'd calm down! I was in awe of how well these techniques worked to calm him down.
The Happiest Baby on the Block is it. Period. I have told everyone I know about this book since we used it with our son when he was born. If you want to get sleep with your newborn, this is a must read and must use process. I have my Amazing Miracle Blanket (the best swaddling blanket on the market-guaranteed!!!) washed for the hospital, and we are armed and ready to go with the other S's when Lennon arrives. If there is one read for any parents of a newborn, The Happiest Baby on the Block is a MUST READ!
I'm one of those mom's who's all about showing off her tot. When I found out about Kathy Lo Rocks, I added them to my list of excellent places to shop for show-and-tell. You'll find an array of customizable accessories over at Kathy Lo Rocks. From necklaces to cuff links and everything in-between, you can show off your child, your favorite flower or a fabulous pattern from their collection.
I chose to have a picture of my daughter on one side of my necklace and a photo of a local piece of art on the other side. I love walking around with a reversible necklace and when people ask to see it up close, I'm proud to show off the excellent craftsmanship.
You can pick customizable necklaces from $58 or a necklace from their Alphabitz line from $38. So many other accessories to see, just stop by Kathy Lo Rocks and take a look at their one-of-a-kind pieces for yourself!