Monday, April 22, 2013

The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep by Harvey Karp, M.D.

 



Finally, kids do come with instructions!

Surprisingly simple steps to boost your little child's sleep fast!
Dr. Harvey Karp made doctors applaud and parents cheer with his brilliant solutions to centuries-old problems such as colic and tantrums. Now, in THE HAPPIEST BABY GUIDE TO GREAT SLEEP: Simple Solutions for Kids from Birth to 5 Years (William Morrow Paperback; On-Sale: March 19, 2013; $15.99; ISBN: 9780062113320), Dr. Karp stuns the world again by solving the #1 problem plaguing new parents: exhaustion.

Dr. Karp's surprising insights include:

How to train brand new babies to sleep better: Infants can be taught to sleep at least one extra hour from the first weeks of life! Dr. Karp shows how to safely boost baby sleep in just days.

What’s the best white noise (and which ones worsen sleep): The right white noise (low pitched and rumbling) is the key to good sleep—even through teething—for all babies. Plus, it even gives parents a more restful sleep

Why parents should always wake a sleeping baby: For good sleep, babies must learn how to self-soothe. The best way to teach babies how to fall back to sleep—when they rouse in the middle of the night—is to wake them just as they’re being put into bed.

How to enjoy the benefits - and avoid the risks - of swaddling: Swaddling dramatically improves a new baby’s sleep. Yet, many states are shockingly banning this ancient parenting tool. Smart moms should do it and Dr. Karp will teach them how to do it properly and safely.


The importance of powering down: Staring at bright screens at night (TVs, computers, phones) can wreak a toddler and a parent’s sleep.

Easy "no-cry" tips that end infant and toddler bedtime struggles in just days!

With THE HAPPIEST BABY GUIDE TO GREAT SLEEP, no longer will new parent have to suffer months of sleep deprivation and no longer will babies have to cry themselves to sleep. Backed by compelling science, common sense and decades of experience, Dr. Karp’s landmark guide will revolutionize how millions of children drift off to dreamland.


MY REVIEW

Where was Dr. Karp when I was raising my Son? As a first time Mom and single parent since my Son was 2 (20 years ago), I learned quickly that children, especially babies, do not come with instructions. Nor do they stick to any particular guidelines that we think should be inbred into them. I mean, Lord help us, baby is here... NOW WHAT?

I think most parents learn to rely somewhat on advice from their parents and other family and friends who were blessed with their bundle of joy before us, while others, who may not have those connections, just have to take it day by day.

I was thrilled to receive Dr. Karp's book. It is full of so much quality information, ideas and solutions... I was just amazed. Many items seemed so simple, such as swaddling. But, for new parents, they may not understand that baby needs that extra security and comfort. Dr. Karp calls swaddling the 'cornerstone' of calming and sleep. Stating that it "keeps babies from waking with every twitch and startle." Adding also that "swaddling helps them sleep longer and safer." Dr. Karp also goes step by step in describing how to swaddle.

Going through this book, you'll find step by step instructions on many other tried and true solutions for helping your little one to sleep. He's very detailed and explains things in a manner that anyone can understand. His book begins with explaining the sleep process, the stages of sleep and why sleep is so important to all of us. Dr. Karp then has chapters broken down into age groups and he discusses the main sleep issues for each, so that you can progress as your child grows. He shares ideas that begin early in the day and lead up to bedtime, things to look for, things to avoid and steps to lead to that better sleep pattern.

It's very important that I mention Dr. Karp's discussion on safety. He explains the do's and don'ts of shared sleeping, preventing SIDS and other sleep complications. Also, at the back of the book, he includes information for babies and children that may suffer from medical problems and how to deal with those situations.

I could go on and on about this book. It's just so full of great information. I'm really excited about passing this book to my Nephew and his wife. They're a young couple who's expecting their first child in August. I think this will be a great asset for them as new, first time parents. They'll get a bit of a head start on making baby and parents happy, healthy sleepers.

I strongly recommend Dr. Karp's "The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep" to all parents-to-be, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents... anyone dealing with baby and young child's sleep. I'd also recommend checking into his other books:  The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block.

About the Author


Dr. Harvey Karp is a nationally renowned pediatrician, child development specialist and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the USC School of Medicine. He completed medical school training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in NYC, pediatric residency at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and fellowships in ambulatory pediatrics and child development at UCLA. In pediatric practice, for almost 30 years, Dr. Karp has taught thousands of parents, from working moms to superstars like Madonna, Michelle Pfeiffer and Pierce Brosnan his secrets for soothing colic, boosting infant sleep, reducing tantrums, promoting patience and …making parents and children happy.

You can find out more about Dr. Karp, his books, DVDs, and other helpful information by going to The Happiest Baby website.

Final Note

Please, do yourself and others a favor and provide them this or other book selections from Dr. Karp. Not only can it explain and help with many issues of baby and child, but, in my opinion, it'll make a difference in a child and parent's life that will have a positive impact on all of you for years to come.


I am participating in a book review campaign with One2One Network. I received this book from Harper Collins for the purposes of reviewing it. I have not received compensation. My participation in the campaign enters me into a drawing for a gift card. All opinions stated are my own.