Jul 28, 2009

Janey from the Block

Dan and I are currently bowing down to the "Happiest Baby on the Block" DVD. If you haven't checked it out, do so. It's not "rocket appliances" as my good friend Bubbles would say but it puts all the common sense you have into a strategy for dealing with a baby who's fussing. With my mommy brain, I apparently didn't have the power to do this for myself...

Basically, they suggest practicing the 5 S's for a fussing baby:
  • Swaddling
  • Shooshing or white noise
  • Side or stomach lying position
  • Swinging or "jiggling"
  • Sucking
Jane is not a fussy baby (knocking on wood right now), but sometimes she cries and despite what most people would say - a baby only cries if they are hungry or uncomfortable (gas) - sometimes she just cries because she's grouchy. The reason I know this is because as soon as I swaddle her, lie her on her side and jiggle her for a second, she stops, opens her eyes bright and starts cooing. If she's hungry or gassy, this does not work! Gas does not disappear in 1 second.

Looking at the 5 S's, I was already doing most of these things... but without strategy and technique. Watching the DVD and learning these tools gave me confidence in knowing how to respond to Jane when she's fussy and, most of the time, being able to soothe her. Also important, it's given Dan that confidence. It's no longer Mommy's job to calm Jane down. In fact, Dan's so confident now, he seems to actually enjoy when Jane fusses so that he can show off his new skills!

Jen :)

PS - See my newly posted "disclaimer". :p

2 comments:

Unknown said...

second time i read about the happiest baby on the block...it must work...

MommyBrain said...

Love, love me some HBOTB! And it was so great for my husband. He felt so empowered, like there was something he could do. I was so glad he felt included, and he swaddled like a maniac. To be honest, I had a hard time with the swaddle at first because it just seems so restricting ... but I discovered that babys in the "fourth trimester" need that.

I also recommend the Secrets of the Baby Whisperer ... I read it when my NHV was about six weeks old, and it helped me really be thoughtful about decision-making in regards to sleeping and eating habits.