Happiest Baby

heathenmamaof5 · 04-27-2006, 10:06 AM

OK, I went to my Cappa CLE workshop last weekend and the instructor and one of the doula participants were talking about being Happiest Baby on the Block instructors. I know that there are a few people on AllDoula's that are instructors as well. I'm wondering if you could give us a short synopsis of what this is? No one in my area does this-that I know of. I'm thinking it might be beneficial for me to do.

In my LLL days I used to tell moms-you nurse the baby, walk the baby, rock the baby, change it's diaper, nurse the baby, etc I'd love to be able to offer more than the old platitudes to these stressed out parents that have a "fussy" baby.

Thanks in advance!!!

capandcradle · 04-27-2006, 10:41 AM

I've read the book, Jill, and that's essentially what it boils down to -- shhhing, swaddling, and what's the other "S"? I have to hand it to Dr Karp -- he's a masterful marketer.

How was your workshop? I hope you learned a lot!

Anne

MothertheMother · 04-27-2006, 10:52 AM

My first clients read the book and watched the video and she says he is a genius. His techniques have really helped her. And I think "swaying" is the other S. It all sounds so obvious but lets face it, nothing is obvious to first time parents with a screaming infant....I have considered getting certified as well. When I looked into it there is a discount for group certification. I think it is something like 5 for the price of 4. I emailed them and was told that the group didn't have to be organized. ie some of us could get together and take advantage...Oh and the cert is all home study. Check the archives...we had a thread about it...

capandcradle · 04-27-2006, 11:05 AM

I think the 3-s's make the techniques easy to remember when the baby is crying in the middle of the night -- of afternoon as that was when our witching hour was with baby #1.

One more birth Christy? How did your second birth go?

Anne

HamiltonBirthRevolution · 04-27-2006, 11:08 AM

Karp's 5 "S's" are: Swaddle, Side/Stomach, Shhh, Swing, and Suck

Anyone is supposed to be a step in calming a baby. All five combined are referred to as "The Cuddle Cure". So, one idea would be that a mother would tightly swaddle her child, hold them close, nurse, softly "shhhh" and slowly sway or bounce on a birth ball to soothe the unsootheable child. All of these combine to simulate the environment of the womb, with the addition of the ultimate soother: nursing (or sucking on a finger or paci when someone other than mom is on the job).

I just took the CAPPA PP Doula training in Oakville this weekend, and still have my Karp book next to me. I haven't read it, but it sounds like it's a great resource.

Leanne
Doula-In-Training
CAPPA Postpartum Doula Training, working towards certification

heathenmamaof5 · 04-27-2006, 01:45 PM

Exactly what I was looking for Ladies. Thank you soooo much. Christie, do yopu think we could do a group thing through AllDoula's? That would be kinda cool. I'm going to look for the other thread that's on this subject. I'm also going to look at his website.

DL · 04-27-2006, 01:58 PM

Well...all I can say is that I checked the DVD out of the library to watch out of curiosity not too long ago. All of the 5 "S's" seem pretty basic, however, it was helpful to see how intensely, smoothly, jiggly, loudly, etc. in which they seem to work best. Most parents do not think of trying these steps out, in the way(s) that Dr. Karp recommends, on their own.

I must admit that I was totally amazed at how suddenly and perfectly those infants quieted and fell asleep! It was like "magic"! I'm not certified (and it's not a priority for me right now to become so and may not ever be so), but I have been recommending to parents that they at least watch the video/DVD! Seeing it on the video would convince almost anyone to try these steps for themselves, I would think, even if they didn't "buy" into taking a formal class. Just my

This is my edit: I just wanted to add that I'm not against formal classes at all, but I do know that not all parents would want to take them. No matter, I hope that everyone would be willing to watch the DVD so they could better decide whether or not a class would interest/benefit them!

HamiltonBirthRevolution · 04-28-2006, 10:27 AM

It just occured to me that this method and a few others could be the basis for a great workshop for new parents.

I know lots of doulas are interested in supplemental incomes and offer CBE classes. A soothing course, even just a one-nighter, could be an excellent way of getting PP clients or getting your name out there or just getting a handful of parents at $10 - $40 a pop (hypothetically). Or, even as a freee demonstration for the upcoming May: Doula Education Month as a public awareness event.

Hmmmm..... EveryDayMiracles, another one for our idea list!

tlcdoula · 04-28-2006, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doula Lori

This is my edit: I just wanted to add that I'm not against formal classes at all, but I do know that not all parents would want to take them. No matter, I hope that everyone would be willing to watch the DVD so they could better decide whether or not a class would interest/benefit them!

I find that most of the families that contact me for Happiest Baby classes are parents who have new babies and are struggling. They feel like they are at their wits end and need to find a way to help soothe their babies. On the flip side I don't find many parents (at least in my area) who take the class while pregnant as a just in case type of thing, but instead it only comes about once they are frustrated and losing their minds.