Parenting the Crying or Colicky Baby

Some babies seem to cry a lot in the first three months.
It can be very distressing for parents and the baby appears to be in discomfort too.
An American paediatrician and a professor of paediatrics at the University of California, Harvey Karp, has worked out a system to help desperate, sleep deprived parents soothe the agitated baby.
His theories and method are based on the idea that babies are born at 9 months because their head size is at its maximum for the birth canal, but the baby really needs another 3 months gestation. In other words it is not ready for the outside world yet – hence the crying.
Dr Karp recommends soothing the baby by putting him into a ‘womb-like’ position.
His method consists of the five S’s:
• Swaddling – wrap the baby tightly in a square cloth or blanket, with his arms pinned at his sides (baby may protest at first).
• Side/stomach position – position the baby in your arms on his side or stomach.
• Shushing sounds – make a loud shush sound in his ear to imitate the noises he is used to in the womb – it’s very noisy in there.
• Swinging – gently swing the baby in a rhythmic motion.
• Sucking – give him something to suck on.

You may not need to do all five steps – often the first three will do the trick.
For more information about Dr Karp and the book he has written go to www.thehappiestbaby.com His book is called ‘The Happiest Baby on the Block’ and is published by Random House. $54.95