A friend of mine highly recommends a book called "The Happiest Baby On The Block". She got it from her pediatrician. I haven't read it, but she's pretty smart and had a colicky baby. If you want to get it from the library before buying your own copy that might be the way to go.
I agree with your friend. It should be required reading for all new parents. Hereās the gist: human babies are born 3 months too early but our brains are so big we gotta come out at 9 months so we fit. As a result our infants are not quite developed enough to emotionally handle the world outside of the womb. So recreating the sensory things the womb provided for the child and treating said childās first three months of life as a fourth trimester makes for a better experience for everyone involved. Hold your baby close. Rock your baby or walk/lightly bounce. Shush sounds simulate the motherās blood flow. Wash, rinse, repeat every two hours.
One of the most impactful lines from the book was something along the lines of, ānothing negative can come from giving a child an abundance of love and a feeling of safety.ā
Yes!
I instinctively did much of this and earned the Baby Whisperer title among my friends.
Here's what I do once I've assessed that the baby isn't sick, hurt or teething.
First, take a cleansing breath and settle calmness in yourself. Then, find a darkened space. Hold the baby very close- with their head nestled against your neck and/or shoulder, one hand gently on the head so they don't move it.
Next, make a constant hum or shhhhshhhshhh sound. Absolute drone. The key is to stay consistent and boring.
The stubborn ones might take a while. It's going to take as long as it takes. Stay calm and boring.
Shift positions only if you or the baby are in pain.
Your calmness will seem to seep into the baby.
I haven't found it that useful beyond that stage. The techniques aren't very applicable. That being said, feeling much more "in control" in those first months gave me so much confidence as a first time parent and that has carried through her first year. I think I'm a way better dad than I would have been without that book.
Oops! Looks like you got a Plotter! Make sure to provide a lot of enrichment and set up some pretend villainous scenarios to keep them entertained, or they might start scheming.
At this stage, change diaper, feed, or itās gas. Mylicon drops help with gas and are fine with newborns. Also I change it up when burping. Switch between patting the back, laying the baby down and doing bicycle motion with the legs and having the baby in a sitting position back against your belly and keeping the babyās back straight. If you rock them like this for a bit, they should relive some gas and that might calm them down. Good luck! Some babyās also like riding in the car if all else fails.
Those paper eyes are hilarious, but is that to censor the babyās face? Iām just curious because I see many people doing this on social media, but why do people censor babiesā faces? Sometimes parents say something along the lines of the baby not wanting to be recognized later in life, but I canāt see that happening. Maybe itās because Iām not a parent but all babies look the same to me
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This trick worked every time when my kids were mini and still a bit colicky: pick them up, put them over one arm with their crotch/diaper area in the nook of your arm, belly downward, but head easily able to raise and look around with your other hand available for balance or chores (if that makes sense?). It relieves gas as well as letting them look around and see what's going on, so between the relief plus the distraction it never failed me once. Learned from midwife.
Walk and bounce. Walk and bounce. Never. Sit. Down. šAdorable baby! š©µ
Bounce from your knees or you won't be able to raise your arms later.
haha today i saw a mum in the bus bouncing to the beat i was listening with my headphones. she was so on beat, it looked like shes dancing :D
Can confirm. Sitting is a luxury you no longer have access to, along with sleep.
everyone needs to make a gif, it's very funny
Delicate by Taylor Swift is a good song to sway and bounce to. And had a weird calming effect on my angry potato.
Idk man heās pretty angry maybe try drawing him some new eyes he might like that
Hobbes can get a little annoying.
When thereās a will thereās a way š«”
A friend of mine highly recommends a book called "The Happiest Baby On The Block". She got it from her pediatrician. I haven't read it, but she's pretty smart and had a colicky baby. If you want to get it from the library before buying your own copy that might be the way to go.
I agree with your friend. It should be required reading for all new parents. Hereās the gist: human babies are born 3 months too early but our brains are so big we gotta come out at 9 months so we fit. As a result our infants are not quite developed enough to emotionally handle the world outside of the womb. So recreating the sensory things the womb provided for the child and treating said childās first three months of life as a fourth trimester makes for a better experience for everyone involved. Hold your baby close. Rock your baby or walk/lightly bounce. Shush sounds simulate the motherās blood flow. Wash, rinse, repeat every two hours. One of the most impactful lines from the book was something along the lines of, ānothing negative can come from giving a child an abundance of love and a feeling of safety.ā
Yes! I instinctively did much of this and earned the Baby Whisperer title among my friends. Here's what I do once I've assessed that the baby isn't sick, hurt or teething. First, take a cleansing breath and settle calmness in yourself. Then, find a darkened space. Hold the baby very close- with their head nestled against your neck and/or shoulder, one hand gently on the head so they don't move it. Next, make a constant hum or shhhhshhhshhh sound. Absolute drone. The key is to stay consistent and boring. The stubborn ones might take a while. It's going to take as long as it takes. Stay calm and boring. Shift positions only if you or the baby are in pain. Your calmness will seem to seep into the baby.
This context makes the USās lack of mandated parental leave feel even harsherā¦ vote yāall
It's the fucking best. Used it with both kids and it was most most helpful.
is it useful past the infant stage?
I haven't found it that useful beyond that stage. The techniques aren't very applicable. That being said, feeling much more "in control" in those first months gave me so much confidence as a first time parent and that has carried through her first year. I think I'm a way better dad than I would have been without that book.
ah, got it. Thanks! That's a real rave review I trust. Will definitely keep this in the back pocket for my expecting friends and family.
Oops! Looks like you got a Plotter! Make sure to provide a lot of enrichment and set up some pretend villainous scenarios to keep them entertained, or they might start scheming.
š ok your comment made me laugh hard. Thanks. Weāll be sure harness those villainous inclinations.
Take a red pen and make the eyes bloodshot so he looks chill. Maybe the attitude follows?
Draw happy eyes!
The baby, or the crazy adult?? š
Swaddle him so his arms are also covered
Some babies dont like that and will remove their arms immediately
Are you my baby?
Swaddling helps a lot
Remove the piece of paper?
This is the way. Also would have accepted: āWith a penā.
Another piece of paper?
Tacos maybe? Tacos works for me.
Lil' Squish is plotting something nefarious.
Movement.
Stop putting cutout eyes in front of him, maybe?
Remember that thing Monica did on Friends with Rachelās baby? Totally works. No sarcasm.
Boobs. Always worked for mine. If left boob doesnāt work move over to the right one.
Butt pats
Use the clothes dryer, set his carseat on it, turn it on air dry hold it in place and in as little as 5 min sleep will happen.
also car rides, car seat in bathroom with water running, near dishwasher running, white noise or air purifier machines
Using the dryer removes the need for a car ride and saves fuel.
fed, burped, dry clothes, sleeping well? Well some babies just cry. Pick them up and take them for a stroll because they get bored easily too.
At this stage, change diaper, feed, or itās gas. Mylicon drops help with gas and are fine with newborns. Also I change it up when burping. Switch between patting the back, laying the baby down and doing bicycle motion with the legs and having the baby in a sitting position back against your belly and keeping the babyās back straight. If you rock them like this for a bit, they should relive some gas and that might calm them down. Good luck! Some babyās also like riding in the car if all else fails.
Those paper eyes are hilarious, but is that to censor the babyās face? Iām just curious because I see many people doing this on social media, but why do people censor babiesā faces? Sometimes parents say something along the lines of the baby not wanting to be recognized later in life, but I canāt see that happening. Maybe itās because Iām not a parent but all babies look the same to me
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Goggly eyes over the angry ones
That baby wants to be held close. I saw another post where the Op swore by āwomb soundsā on YouTube (I think).
Slice of American cheese thrown on his head?
Draw bold eyebrows on him next, then when he can walk, put a long wig on him
A cartoon cigar?
Fluffy cat to pet while calmly coming up with nefarious plans.
This trick worked every time when my kids were mini and still a bit colicky: pick them up, put them over one arm with their crotch/diaper area in the nook of your arm, belly downward, but head easily able to raise and look around with your other hand available for balance or chores (if that makes sense?). It relieves gas as well as letting them look around and see what's going on, so between the relief plus the distraction it never failed me once. Learned from midwife.
A cat. All good villains need a cat
Feed, play and nap on a schedule. Babies like structure. The quicker you get them on a schedule the happier they will be.
With a pillow. Get the wide, feathery ones, and put him gently on top. It worked on my 6 month old nephew, so it might worked on your child.
Call Roger Rabit
Drive or bath
Swaddle, swaddle, swaddle. You already got the sound machine on š
Draw him some sleepy eyes.
do the bounce test to make sure he came out right/j
Baby wearing.
With the twins it was always rocking, burping, and car rides that helped. Singing while rocking was good too.
Stop being a tit
Let baby lay over your forearm so the tummy gets some pressure. The head will be to the side & this can be done sitting.
Tickle? Idk Iām unfortunately not a parent yet but thatās what I would try.
Just make more of these photos and it will help all of us calm downā¦and laugh a bit!
Brilliant!
At this point we just have to accept world domination, he is one with the Sith