The Cuddle Cure

I am so glad that there are a lot of people in this world smarter than me. I am also glad there are professionals that do research and write books to share this knowledge with the rest of us! Today I am thankful in particular to one such author and book that have made a dramatic change in our lives. The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp. A friend of mines mom let me borrow the book after seeing Payton go into one of her screaming fits. I was a very colicky baby and for the longest have not wanted to admit that Payton had colic. I just said, she's fussy, volatile a pistol etc. But after reading the symptoms of colic, she has them ALL :) The cool part about this book is that it really explains colic and the likely causes. While some babies have serious tummy issues and reflux that can cause it, most cases are actually a very sensitive baby. The cause of the fit might be gas, hunger pain or dirty diaper but after a minute or two they are just mad about it (not actually in any pain). For example, last night I was feeding her and Pat was sitting by us on the couch feeding Savanah. Pat sneezed and Payton went crazy. Obviously Pat sneezing didn't hurt her, it just scared her. But that's all it took to set her off!!

So I am writing this to help every mother and mother to be with a fussy baby... You have to try this method because it has been a miracle worker for us!!! Since learning the cuddle cure none of Payton's fits have lasted more than 5 minutes. (and when she would scream for hours that's huge!!!) Now I have to say, I love reading good books, but I really pick and choose the advice I use. This authors methods for dealing with sleep habits and having a baby are entirely different than my own but for this one thing...the inconsolable baby...it's amazing. (We vote BabyWise for sleep habits!!)

The 5 S's used together...together and correctly is the key...
Swaddling
Side/Stomach
SHHHHH (loud/harsh)
Swinging (jiggling) ~ intense
Sucking

What you are doing for the baby is replicating the womb and turning on a calming reflex. It truly is amazing!!! If you have a fussy/colicky baby I suggest you read the book since it explains exactly how to do it. It's taken me about 2 weeks to get it down perfect for her but it's been life changing. If you need help with this give me a call or email and I can explain what's worked for us. I just had to share this in case there are any tired moms of fussy babies this can help!! I wish I'd learned it 4 months ago!!!

Here's a few cute shots my sister got of me and the girls!!