Baby Care Basics
Last night we took another prenatal education class at Kaiser Permanente. The class was called Baby Care Basics and covered a broad range of topics. One of my favorites was learning how to calm a crying baby.
We watched a video by Dr Harvey Karp called “The Happiest Baby” and then practiced the techniques on dolls. Dr. Karp teaches parents the “5 S’s” to calm a crying baby:
- swaddling
- side/stomach
- shushing
- swinging
- sucking
Here is a short video showing parents using the first 3 S’s technique to calm a crying baby. The look on the baby’s face is striking – they all do the same thing when their “calming reflex” kicks in.
The Kevlar® vest is optional (as far as I know). I’m relieved to have this knowledge and excited to try it out.
This daddy is just a little fast on the swinging part don’t you think? The idea is to replicate the womb…closeness, movement, heartbeat, position and baby’s own sucking reflex. Guess the baby didn’t mind the increase in mph though. Maybe he or she is a future Nascar driver.
BTW…this doesn’t work if mommy has ingested any of the following: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, spicy foods or pizza before nursing baby. Tried and proven by the MOM.
Love you!