Hi Becka, As an educator you realize that you can't put a baby on a schedule. A baby's way of communicating is verbally. They need to be fed 8-12 times a day and they will let you know when they are hungry. As an adult how many times a day to we take a "sip" of water? A baby is the same way. The AAP News magazine said that Babywise has been linked to 'dehydration, failure to thrive' and many Pediaricians and lactation consultants have come out against the book. A baby will also establish a routine but that can change as the needs of the baby grow at each milestone. We do not believe in allowing the baby to cry it out as we teach parents calming and soothing.
I recently came across This blog post in her blog (titled, ironically, Informed Parenting) claiming that swaddling is basically harmful to babies and may actually CAUSE SIDS. It is quite funny to see people talking in circles in the comments...especially when someone said that Dr. Karp's program has been considered dangerous...I can not find ONE article relating to that! (Not that I would take seriously anyway!)And to compare it to Babywise is totally ridiculous...especially fromt those who never read it!
That is funny, since I know of several DOCTORS with actual PhDs/MDs, one, Dr. Karp of The Happiest Baby, INC., has been studying this area for over 30 years, and has helped hundreds of thousands of parents/families with his swaddling/calming techniques.
I have been a Certified Happiest Baby Educator for 4 years, and I have helped many families! I hope that, with this post, that those who read her opinion will also find this as well, and be more informed! There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other THB educcators who are doulas, lactation consultants, and so one, who do nothing but rave about this program!
I will agree with one thing...skin to skin is very important, but more for sicker/FTT/preemie, breastfeeding etc... babies. If you can breastfeed a full term baby unswaddled, then more power to you, since most babies seem to flail when nursing, sometimes making it difficult. But not all babies breastfeed...but I am sure there are posts about that too! (luckily mine did!)
That aside, to say that swaddling is harmful, and hinders development/causes SIDS, etc... when the RESEARCH from REPUTABLE sources says otherwise, is very misleading to parents who may read that blog and take it to heart, before doing actual research.
In fact, the blogger in question has never even READ The Happiest Baby OR watched the DVD...there goes ANY respect I had for anything she posts about swaddling right there...
Even Dr. Karp himself says to wake the sleeping, swaddled baby (newborn) as much as possible, for feedings.
From The Happiest Baby:
**During the first couple of weeks of life some babies are so sleepy they when they are swaddled all day they don't wake up for enough feedings...of course the answer to that is not to stop swaddling, but to make sure parents are waking their babies to give feeds up to or more then, 12 times a day until the nursing is really off the launching pad. (Similarly, the way to avoid car accidents is not to avoid driving, but to use seat belts and drive intelligently...and to avoid cosleeping disasters one doesn't have to stop cosleeping...but take proper precautions).**
Seriously, if you are going to try to refute the facts, at least READ them first, and do research. In fact, I have swaddled ALL 4 of my kids, and none of them have had any developmental problems, disassociation, etc... Neither have 99.9% of the BILLIONS of babies that have been swaddled over time.
And over heating? A properly dressed/swaddled baby will NOT over heat. Just as it says in Dr. Karp's books , (as well as many of Dr. Sears) you should check a baby often if the are sleeping in the swaddle, to make sure they are cool and not hot to the touch.
If you do it right, swaddling can be a lifesaver! (your BABY'S!)
- THB medical cost benefit potential- The cost savings of a program like this are substantial:
- 1) diminished calls/visits to MD's with crying, sleepless babies
- 2) fewer ER visits and follow up doctor visits
- 3) fewer diagnostic tests
- 4) fewer prescriptions of drugs
- 5) reduced incidence of breastfeeding failure...with resultant improved infant health
- 6) reduced incidence of postpartum depression...with resultant reduced missed work, doctor visits, medication, etc.
- 7) reduced incidence of Shaken Baby Syndrome...with resultant reduced hospital and rehab care, legal costs, etc.
- 8) Improved parents sleep and work ability.
- 9) probable reduced incidence of SIDS, too (decreased accidental rolling to stomach, swaddling increases infant arousability even in deep sleep). The value of saving a single child from brain injury from SBS would pay several times over for this type of program for a year! apparently she did not want to post my comment on her blog, I wrote th hopes that people will know the FACTS before
And just to throw it in...
Dr. Harvey Karp is a nationally renowned pediatrician, child development specialist and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the USC School of Medicine. He completed medical school training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in NYC, pediatric residency at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and fellowships in ambulatory pediatrics and child development at UCLA. In pediatric practice, for almost 30 years, Dr. Karp has taught thousands of parents, from working moms to superstars like Madonna, Michelle Pfeiffer and Pierce Brosnan his secrets for soothing colic, boosting infant sleep, reducing tantrums, promoting patience and …making parents and children happy.
Dr. Karp’s work is translated into over 20 languages and is taught by thousands of specially trained educators in Happiest Baby classes. These popular classes are available in hospitals, clinics, teen parent programs, postpartum depression clinics, father support groups, military bases and child abuse prevention programs in hundreds of communities across North America…and around the world.
No wonder the New York Times praised his work by proclaiming, “Roll over Dr. Spock!”
Dr. Karp serves on the advisory boards of Barnes & Noble, Parents, Ser Padres and American Baby magazines. He is also a parenting life coach for AOL.
He has appeared numerous times on Good Morning America, The View, Larry King Live, Dr. Phil, The Early Show, ABC World News Tonight, and his work has been featured by the Associated Press, New York Times, Time, Newsweek, People Magazine, etc.
Beyond his expertise in child development, Dr. Karp has often lectured on breastfeeding issues. Additionally, he is one of America’s leading advocates for protecting children from environment risks. In that capacity, he has been a: spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics; founding board member of Healthy Child/Healthy World, (America’s top children’s environmental health organization); founding member and advisor to The Green Guide; and he was an editor and contributor to the critically acclaimed parenting guide, Healthy Child/Healthy World.
Dr. Karp lives with his wife, Nina, in Los Angeles. He commits his full-time efforts to writing, lecturing and education. Dr. Karp travels extensively across America and around the world teaching health professionals, educators and parents how to successfully meet the needs of young children… and help them be happy!
Stay at home, business owning mom of 4 young kids, Nick the Sportsman, Michele the Princess, Wyatt the Wild One, and Evan the Baby.Bachelor in Early Childhood Development and Education, with 20 years experience. I could not ask for anything more! 
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