Baby books

[SuzySunshine]

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child is my go to for sleep. I may have already said that

[SoonerTexan]

What do we (I use the royal iMSN we here) about Happiest Baby on the Block?

If anything, make your husband watch it so he cant argue he doesn't know what to do with a crying baby Honestly, we haven't used much of it yet except for the swadding, because N usually stops crying once we meet whatever need and it has been pretty easy to figure out so far. I feel like this could change very soon, though!

I said this somewhere (maybe this thread) that it gave DH awesome swaddle skills.

[spotty_dog]

I liked the book, LOVED the DVD. I don't think I watched it until DS was almost 6 weeks, but it was still helpful and allowed me to use the swing to its best effect (that thing was a lifesaver, and I never in a million years thought I'd need or want it). But with DD? She wouldn't comfort-nurse, pretty much ever. So when she was 4 days old and started just shrieking in the middle of the night, I felt lost...until I pulled out the full 5-Ses. Here's from my journal when she was 5 days old:

"Just like the night before, poor Miss N_____ had a screaming fit last night. High pitched breathy screams, she didn't want boob and would be very temporarily quelled by sucking a finger. No holding positions changed anything, and this time, even pooping only improved her for a short time. I finally had the presence of mind to do the Happiest Baby treatment on her and it was like magic. She fell asleep, and 15 minutes woke up to eat like nothing had happened. I feel like a parenting rock star this time around, with so many tools in my toolbox!"

[diggitydot]

There were times with our kiddos that NOTHING would stop the screaming. Out of desperation I took DD1 into the shower with me after being ed or shit on for the 18 bazillionth time. It worked like a charm. We discovered that each of the kids would stop their screaming if we took them into the shower with us.

[Thirteen]

I think DD has a point. So, so much of it is just trial and error - I honestly couldn't and haven't read any books, other than my Mayo Clinic BoP/1st year that I keep around as a reference guide.
Regarding books and other tidbits that make you feel inadequate/panicky as a parent --
Keep in mind: even if your spouse specializes in peds, there are things that MEDICALLY make sense to do, but RANDOMNESS and INDIVIDUALITY must be accounted for.
Babies cry because, well, babies cry. (Even if you feed/change/burp/swaddle/sing/cuddle/love them, etc.) Even if you read the books. Even if you own the DVD. And here's the kicker: even if this isn't your first rodeo, and you're an experienced parent, and you "know what worked for you other children."
My husband had a hard time, trying to dx what was happening with DS, and would often get frustrated when there appeared to not be a solution. Many times, there is no answer.
As a new parent (and a doctor) that was so hard for him.
"Look! I bet he has colic!"
"No, he's just... himself."

Last idea: if reading/watching the nightly news stresses you out, DO NOT buy any baby books or join a forum.

[diggitydot]

Last idea: if reading/watching the nightly news stresses you out, DO NOT buy any baby books or join a forum.

Word.

[ladymoreta]

Loved, loved, loved Happiest Baby! It was a lifesaver for DS. DD rarely needs all 5 S's, mainly just swaddling, but it's crazy how well it works when you just can't think of anything else to try.


Laurie