The Happiest Baby on the Block
by Harvey Karp · first published 2002
91% recommend9% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Practical newborn-soothing guide built on the 5 S's (swaddling, jiggle and others) and the fourth-trimester idea; simple, repeatable techniques for calming crying and aiding sleep in the first months. Suits new parents.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
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Not OP but I've got a 6 month old. I got some good advice from strangers and am compelled to pay it forward. I highly recommend the book Happiest Baby on the Block, and even more so, the video (still sold as a DVD, but you can also stream online[1]). There are a lot of shorter videos of the author, Harvey Karp doing his thing if you want a taste[2]). The basic idea…
on “Launch HN: Trustle (YC W20) – On-demand child development experts for parents” ↗We have a 10 month old, a six, and eight y-o. Here are some books that have helped us: The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer (Paperback) by Harvey Karp Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion by Dale McGowan
on “Ask YC: Hacker moms & dads, what do you read?” ↗+1 for healthy sleep habits, happy child. Also recommend Happiest Baby on the Block (http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/0553381466/pchristensen-20)
on “Ask YC: Hacker moms & dads, what do you read?” ↗Another vote for Happiest Baby on the Block (Harvey Karp), probably can't rate it highly enough! The "jiggle" trick worked like absolute magic. BTW the late Tracy Hogg (Baby Whisperer) is also highly recommended; she was also a big proponent…
on “Ask HN: Tips for Hackers having Kids?” ↗Fully agree— routine is important starting around 4-6 months. As is often said, well rested babies sleep better. I also recommend “Happiest Baby on The Block” by Harvey Karp. Read one or two of these types of books but don’t go overboard.
on “Ask HN: How did you prepare for being a first-time parent?” ↗Most parents aren't willing to subject their baby to a scientific study so there are a lot of areas where there just isn't enough data to make advice data-driven. We found Harvey Karp's Happiest Baby on the Block really helpful with our newborn. It contains a lot of fluff. Reading it ahead of time will have little value - you need to see/understand your baby's temperament to understand how to apply the approaches…
on “Ask HN: Concise, pragmatic baby manual for first-time dad?” ↗Look up YouTube videos on 5 S's from Dr. Harvey Karp's Happiest Baby on the Block. It goes over very helpful techniques on putting your baby to sleep. Useful in the first couple of months.
on “Ask HN: Concise, pragmatic baby manual for first-time dad?” ↗Happiest Baby on the Block
on “Ask HN: Best Resources and Books for a Soon-to-Be-Dad?” ↗I just want to take a moment to second the book Happiest Baby on the Block (I got the book, apparently there is a DVD). It truly is a "baby hacks" book. I read it cover to cover months before my first baby was born, and while I don't remember all of it, I retained enough that…
on “Ask HN: Tips for Hackers having Kids?” ↗I am a to be parent, and reading "happiest baby on the block" gave me some background on why this might be. Basically it boils down to how we were before we are born in our mother's wombs. Same with car noise and rocking, and why it is easier to sleep in a car…
on “Weighted blankets might ease insomnia and anxiety” ↗Happiest Baby on the Block for guidance on learning how to sooth very helpful the first few months.
on “Ask HN: I just became a father, what is the only book I should read?” ↗+1 for the Happiest Baby on the Block. We borrowed the DVD from somewhere, and it was great. Simple and repetitive, too, which makes it great for parents of newborns.
on “Ask HN: Tips for Hackers having Kids?” ↗…book that is really great. covers all the way from pregnancy, birth, infant till toddler years. it's available for free in pdf form https://www.inspq.qc.ca/node/1948 Another book that was great "the happiest baby on the block" for those first three months.
on “Ask HN: What parenting books do you recommend for a new dad?” ↗"Dude, You're Gonna Be A Dad" was pretty good. It's a little bro-ish, but if you can get past that, it's a good quick read. - https://amzn.com/B004XWDD8W "The Happiest Baby on the Block" was a good practical guide - https://amzn.com/B00TCI48AE
on “Ask HN: What parenting books do you recommend for a new dad?” ↗Every kid is different, but we had lots of success with the calming techniques from Happiest Baby on the Block. At end of the day its simple stuff, but during those first few months when you're in survival mode simple is what you need. Would highly recommend grabbing the DVD and going through it a couple of times…
on “Ask HN: Books/Resources to read for parents to be” ↗