The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp

Through his research and experience, he has developed four basic principles that are crucial for understanding babies as well as improving their sleep and soothing their senses: Karp blends modern science and ancient wisdom to prove that newborns are not fully ready for the world when they are born. In a innovative and thought-provoking reevaluation of early infancy, Dr. “I share with parents techniques known only to the most gifted baby soothers throughout history. Karp has found there IS a remedy for colic. Never again will parents have to stand by helpless and frazzled while their poor baby cries and cries. No wonder pediatricians across the country are praising him and thousands of Los Angeles parents, from working moms to superstars like Madonna and Pierce Brosnan, have turned to him to learn the secrets for making babies happy. Harvey Karp reveals an extraordinary treasure sought by parents for centuries-an automatic “off-switch” for their baby’s crying. So, focusing instead on what you can control, here are the most useful books for new parents.In perhaps the most important parenting book of the decade, Dr. Yes, there are things you can do to promote better and safer sleep, but there's only so much you control, no matter what some expert whose coached a million babies says, and sometimes babies just sleep (or not) on their own schedules no matter what you do. And I’d also be wary of anything that over-promises magic sleep solutions for babies right out of the gate.

And then there are a few that look beyond the baby and toddler stage, because you're going to need to keep an eye on the bigger picture.Ī personal note on parenting books to stay away from: I’ve never found books about how to take cues from parents in other countries (or time periods?) particularly helpful if you can’t take advantage of each country’s social polices like parental leave, affordable childcare and healthcare, you won’t be able to copy those citizens’ style of parenting.

Others turn the lens and focus on the adults themselves, because the transition into parenthood can be harder than you imagine. Others are for first-time caregivers who are feeling their way through different parenting styles and deciding which ones work best for their families.

Some offer the nitty-gritty information you need, with science-backed studies about newborn health and development.

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp