In perhaps the most important parenting book of the decade, Dr. Harvey Karp reveals an extraordinary treasure sought by parents for centuries --an automatic “off-switch” for their baby’s crying.

No wonder pediatricians across the country are praising him and thousands of Los Angeles parents, from working moms to superstars like Madonna and Pierce Brosnan, have turned to him to learn the secrets for making babies happy.

Never again will parents have to stand by helpless and frazzled while their poor baby cries and cries. Dr. Karp has found there IS a remedy for colic. “I share with parents techniques known only to the most gifted baby soothers throughout history …and I explain exactly how they work.”

In a innovative and thought-provoking reevaluation of early infancy, Dr. Karp blends modern science and ancient wisdom to prove that newborns are not fully ready for the world when they are born. Through his research and experience, he has developed four basic principles that are crucial for understanding babies as well as improving their sleep and soothing their senses:

·The Missing Fourth Trimester: as odd as it may sound, one of the main reasons babies cry is because they are born three months too soon.

·The Calming Reflex: the automatic reset switch to stop crying of any baby in the first few months of life.

·The 5 “S’s”: the simple steps (swaddling, side/stomach position, shushing, swinging and sucking) that trigger the calming reflex. For centuries, parents have tried these methods only to fail because, as with a knee reflex, the calming reflex only works when it is triggered in precisely the right way. Unlike other books that merely list these techniques Dr. Karp teaches parents exactly how to do them, to guide cranky infants to calm and easy babies to serenity in minutes…and help them sleep longer too.

·The Cuddle Cure: the perfect mix the 5 “S’s” that can soothe even the most colicky of infants.

In the book, Dr. Karp also explains:

What is colic?

Why do most babies get much more upset in the evening?

How can a parent calm a baby--in mere minutes?

Can babies be spoiled?

When should a parent of a crying baby call the doctor?

How can a parent get their baby to sleep a few hours longer?

Even the most loving moms and dads sometimes feel pushed to the breaking point by their infant’s persistent cries. Coming to the rescue, however, Dr. Karp places in the hands of parents, grandparents, and all childcare givers the tools they need to be able to calm their babies almost as easily as…turning off a light.


From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Rating:
Summary: GREAT READ FOR MOMS!!
Comment: Every mother should own this book! I give it as a gift at every baby shower I attend!! The concepts in the book are right on and gives great advice on how to calm a colicky baby. I used to read this book in the passenger seat while my husband would drive around town to calm my first newborn down...that was the only peaceful time I could get some reading in!! Nothing seemed to stop him from crying after 6pm...until I read this book and did what it said!! I have many friends who have tried this approach and all have had success. This book is worth the money:)

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Information
Comment: My first child was apparently able to soothe herself well. My newborn - not so much. About 2 weeks old he started crying and kicking in the late evening for no reason, I ordered this book. We already swaddled but didn't know any of the rest. At first we didn't have the white noise loud enough, then a few days later I cranked it up and my baby fell asleep in minutes, no screaming, no fussing...nothing! Maybe some of the people displeased with this book aren't applying the techniques right? Now, he sleeps great, not all night but at least there's no fight and no tears.

I like the 1st part of the book that explains the reason the methods work. I'm the kind of person who needs to know 'why?' or I won't do it. I loved the whole book and even some of it is repetative but that helps drill it into your head, otherwise I wouldn't have known I had the white noise too quiet.

My oldest loved being swaddled. It makes sense that babies need a transition period. Any help I can get to help them adjust to the new surroundings is welcome! You cannot spoil a newborn- a 4 yr old is another story....

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Customer Rating:
Summary: This book makes sense--can't wait to use these strategies!
Comment: I am a first time parent and although my baby is not due for another 2 months, I decided to pick up this book based upon a friend's recommendation and high ratings. Dr. Karp's theory of "The Missing 4th Trimester" as explanation for colicky babies makes good sense. His approach is developmentally-appropriate and I can see how the soothing combination of any number of the "Five S's" would work to calm fussy newborns. Some reviewers have complained that Dr. Karp does not provide any way of transitioning your young baby away from the five S's, but I did not find this to be the case. He provides a brief timeline of when and how to "ween" your baby off of the five S's, and also explains why they are important to ween (e.g., weening baby from swaddling will teach them how to self-sooth and put themselves to sleep, etc.), as well as signs of readiness parents can look for.

My husband is also reading this book, and we are looking forward to having these "tools" tucked away to use with out daughter in a couple of short months!

So BOTTOM LINE--buy this book and read it before baby arrives--especially if you are a first time parent! It has made me feel a little more prepared and the thought of caring for the strange little creatures we call newborns a little less daunting.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Very helpful information for parents-to-be!
Comment: The information in the book is easy to follow, has solid logic backing the information, and helps adults understand the needs of a newborn during the "4th trimester." I would definitely recommend!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: waste of money
Comment: This book proved to be a complete waste of my money - for pages and pages this guy goes on about reasons why babies cry - wet, hungry, needs to be swaddled etc....I mean the 5 reasons he mentioned can be printed on one page the rest of the book is a waste....
What to expect the first year is far more useful of a resource

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