Pool Party

We went to a "pool party" at our agency tonight. Pool party meaning a gathering for all the people who are currently in "the pool" of waiting parents. It was a good time, they showed us the Harvey Karp video, "The Happiest Baby on the Block." For those of you who don' know about this, it is an excellent, "revolutionary" technique for soothing very fussy babies. Karp first wrote a book with the same title and then subsequently made the video we watched tonight. It is a must for any prospective or new parents, especially if you have a "colicky" baby. In the video, Karp points out that the whole notion of colic is actually unfounded, and that most very fussy babies don't show any signs of having anything physically wrong. The video highlights Karp's "five S" technique of triggering the calming reflex in babies and comforting them almost instantly, even when they are uncontrollably fussy. His techniques take some practice and getting used to, but anyone can do them fairly easily. It's all very interesting, and worth checking out!! We got to practice his swaddling approach (the first s) on dolls tonight. It was great fun for me to watch my husband wrap up a baby. He actually did a great job, and confirmed my thoughts that he will be a fantastic daddy when the time comes! I just hope that time is soon, I'm sooo beyond ready!