The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Baby Sleep Longer by Harvey Karp (2003, Paperback, Reprint)

I loved this book by Dr. Karp. It was recommended to me by my friend who is a neo-natal nurse; she had been to a seminar on Dr. Karp's teachings and told me I should check it out. I loved it! It was easy to read, made sense even to me (a rookie parent-to-be with little to know baby experience) and really helped to de-mystify many child rearing practices and myths that are currently out there. When you're pregnant you get so much "advice" from others... but much of it either didn't seem to make sense to me, went against my own common sense, or was overwhelming. Dr. Karp breaks down baby care so that it is simple, understandable and usuable, and most importantly, HAPPY / makes you EXCITED to have your baby. :)

I can't wait to also read Karp's Happiest Toddler on the Block and to get the DVD of his techniques.

Being a 4th time mother, I decided to buy this book, because it wasn't always easy with my other babies. All of my babies were different though. My first was the hardest. Three of my children are older, and I was getting ready to have my 4th. Being more mature now, and having a little experience already, didn't make me feel any better-I was still nervous about having a baby that was fussy or colic. I felt this time, I wanted to do everything better than the time before that is why I bought this book. I DEFINATELY MADE THE RIGHT DECISION. Although, luckily, my baby was not colic, he did have some fussy spells. This book really opened up a realization of what is going on with your baby and how they are feeling. So instead of just reacting, you are prepared and know exactly what to do-(Which By The Way Amazes Other People-Because it works). Being prepared and knowing what to do, so it is possible to go into public or go to friends or families houses and not have to worry about the baby having a fit. This book is worth it's weight in Gold. I only wished I had it with my first child.

I bought this book when it was recommended by my friend who had a baby a few months before I did. I thought the book gave practical ways to help soothe a crying newborn. It was well-organized, and the information was presented in manageable chapters. I read it before having a baby, and then read parts of it again on a "as needed" basis as a refresher. I didn't have a lot of help around after the birth of my son because we live so far away from our families. This book gave me some confidence in soothing my crying son. The 5 S's in the book are easy for a new parent to try to see what works for their baby. Since all babies are different, not all the ideas presented may work for you, but you will certainly gain some knowledge on effectively dealing with a crying newborn. I would recommend this book to all new parents!

This the most honest baby book i've read in my short experience of doing baby research. Most books try and fill a parent with a sense that there is always a clear cut answer to baby issues. Dr Karp trys to dispel these myths and explains that a what a baby really wants is to be back in the mother. He goes on to explain that the most efficient way to sooth a baby is to create the environment that the baby desires. The techniques have worked really well for me, therefore i highly recomend this book.

My friend lent me this book when my baby was 7 weeks old. Let's just say that if I had had it when he was first born, it would have saved me hours of listening to him crying, walking around, bouncing him and doing everything I could do to make him happy. When I used the techniques in this book, it was like MAGIC and my life was instatly easier and my baby was instantly happier! I purchased this book for my sister-in-law when I found out that she was pregnant and I hope that she will get as much out of it as I did. I highly recommend this book!!!