From My Bookshelf: The Happiest Baby On The Block

I often find myself telling parents about books that I’ve benefited from.

Parents of infants, take note. The Happiest Baby on the Block: The new way to calm crying and help your newborn baby sleep longer, provides an excellent, step-by-step explanation of how to relate to babies in ways that reinforce constructivepatterns and help build healthy attachment. While the book’s primary goal is to teach a method for helping colicky babies to sleep, it is based on the principles of healthy attachment, which I emphasize in OT sessions and in caregiver training.

Much of my occupational therapy work is informed by attachment theory.  Attachment is that wonderful connection between child and caregiver when a responsive, two-way relationship has been developed.

A healthy attachment-connection allows the child to develop into a secure, healthy individual who can grow and adapt to life’s circumstances. A child with healthy attachment knows that he can rely on his caregivers to be present when he needs them. He also knows that they also believe in his ability to be independent. It’s never too early (or too late!) to work on developing the attachment-connection.

In The Happiest Baby On The Block, Dr. Karp combines principles of modern medicine with a holistic understanding of your young baby’s sensory needs. For first-time and long-time parents, this book provides a wealth of information and a tried-and-true method for helping to soothe, comfort, and connect with your infant.

If your child has outgrown the infant stage, I recommend Dr. Karp’s original book, The Happiest Toddler on the Block.

Photo Credit: Ben Earwicker

Have you read Dr. Karp’s work? Do you have any other parenting books to recommend? Please share below!