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Summary: The two happiest babies on the block
Review: This book came out just in time to give me a refresher course for our second son (now two weeks old). Harvey is our pediatrician, but was not available to see us in the hosptial because of his book tour! Having his book was the next best thing, and his book gives all the tips he ever gave us, and then some! I especially appreciate the years of study that he shares in these pages, which he has never had time to give us because he is the most coveted ped in town.Both of our sons have great temperaments, but of course they had(have) their moments. These techniques nip those moments in the bud, bring peace to our household, and establish a bond between all of us (and I am glad to be able to lend a hand in the calming, which gives my wife a rest and keeps me from feeling too jealous!). Get the book for your own babies, or anyone you know who has one or is expecting.
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Summary: Colic Help at Last!
Review: Starting at 2-weeks, our newborn would cry from 2pm until 11pm non-stop. My husband would come home from work and find me in tears as well. We tried everything from putting me on a restricted diet (as I was nursing) to washing all of the baby's clothes in a hypo-allergenic detergent and nothing would stop the hours of endless crying. I don't know how we would have survived without Dr. Karp. Once my husband and I mastered swaddling as well as the 4 other "S" techniques, the baby would stop crying in under 2 minutes. This is a MUST-READ for any parent with a colicky baby. Thank you Dr. Karp!!
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad, but there are better
Review: My wife and I recently entered the world of the sleep deprived with the birth of our son. Thankfully those days are already almost behind us due to the recent publication of a few books, Dr. Karp's and the No Cry Sleep Solution, by Elizabeth Pantley. We own both, and while both are good, personally we prefer the No Cry Sleep Solution. Perhaps its the fact that the book is written by a mother of four and parent educator, not a doctor. Her approach and writing style make you rightfully feel as though you're being taught by a learned friend who wants nothing more than to see you and your baby healthy, happy, and above all, rested. The Happiest Baby was useful, but it simply didn't grab us the same way. As an analogy, No Cry is like taking a stain from shirt with the advice from the Queen of Clean, as opposed to the head of the New York Department of Sanitation. On a completely different matter, almost every customer book review here originates from Santa Monica or LA, where Dr. Karp resides and practices. I think that is a little too coincidental.
Rating: 
Summary: Very insightful but sometimes a bit simplistic
Review: While I support what Dr. Karp says about creating a womb-like atmosphere during your baby's "fourth trimester," not all of his advice rang true for me. My first baby was very fussy and not easily soothed, and I don't think that anything would have prevented the weeks and weeks of colicky behavior that we endured. I'm a big fan of Dr. Sears' book The Fussy Baby -- the bible for parents like me who were blessed with "high needs" babies. :-) The main thing to remember is that this too shall pass. Your baby won't always be this fussy and this needy. And some day you will sleep again. (Or at least until baby number two arrives. I'm pregnant again!)
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Summary: WHAT A LIFESAVER!
Review: After trying everything I was told to do to stopping my 11 wk old daughter's crying & get her to sleep, I got Dr. Karp's book & it saved my life. The 1st time I tried the 5 S's, my daughter was sound asleep w/in seconds! I couldn't believe it. Her personality is so much different now. She seems so much more content & happy when she is awake because she is getting better sleep. It has ended the stress I was feeling each time I knew she was tired but had to spend endless amounts of time getting her to sleep & then continuing to hold her because otherwise she would wake up. It has allowed me undivided time to spend w/my 3 year old son as well & for that, he is appreciative. Thank you to Dr. Karp for this invaluable parenting tool. I have told everyone I know that they need this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Godsend
Review: There is nothing worse as a parent than an inconsolable baby. No matter how hard I tried (hair dryer, vaccum, car rides) I couldn't get my eight week old son to stop crying. He would cry for hours every night. If that wasn't enough he woke up at least three times every night. I bought every book on crying and sleep problems. They either didn't work or seemed much to harsh to try. Then I found Dr. Karp's technique. As soon as my son started crying I followed the 5 "S's". It took a little practice but within 15 minutes my son stopped crying and drifted off to sleep. Ironically, I burst into tears. Dr. Karp's technique gave me the tools to help my son stop crying and sleep better gently and with love. Every future baby gift I purchase will include a copy of "The Happiest Baby on the Block". No one should parent without it.
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Summary: For newborns only
Review: Great book for first time parents with a newborn (under 4 months old). The ideas apply to those early months, especially if your baby has colic. However, the ideas simply don't apply to a baby over 4 months. Swaddling and Shhhing (two of the keys) simply don't apply to older babies, and relying on the other keys: Swinging and Sucking will only create a situation where your baby relies on these things to sleep. (Trust me, my 1 year old still needed these, most likely because I used them so much during her early months!) Also, the other "S" side/stomach position goes against the Back to Sleep research that says babies are at risk of SIDS when sleeping on their stomach (even if they do like it better). I found more answers for my older baby, and ways to prevent the problems from happening in the first place for my next baby, in a different book: The No-Cry Sleep Solution.
Rating:
Summary: the happiest family on the block
Review: A must read for all new parents. Our colicky newborn son quickly pointed out who was going to be boss in our family. My husband and I read all of the "colicky baby bibles" to no avail until we followed Dr. Karps instructions. His mix of sound, movement and swaddling stopped our baby in the middle of a crying fit. The best part was the following day when I performed the same mix and heeded the same result. It literally changed my life to be able to calm him down in minutes instead of over an hour. We will forever be thankful and only hope others share this monumental break through.
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Summary: The Fourth Trimester: Dr. Karp's Impressive Insight
Review: I studied the child development literature while a graduate student at Harvard. I learned neuroscience in my training as a Neurosurgeon. But when it came time to choose a pediatrician for our baby I sought out Harvey Karp. Our first child was an easy baby, but our 2nd was impossible to comfort. Dr. Karp's swaddling plan was a surpise when he first suggested it, but I liked his explanation - we tried it and it worked. The book wonderfully captures our experience of trusting our children to a great pediatrician.
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Summary: It works!!!
Review: Harvey's guidelines and information really does work. Speaking from experience, this is information every new parent should have. I could never understand why I didn't see more parents swaddling their newborns. Read the book, try his technics, they work!
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