Dear Annie VerSteeg and Janice Berry ,

Part 2

On a personal note, I was concerned with the advocating of swings for long
periods of time without mention of carriers or a caregiver's arms as a
possibility to provide the sensation of motion he recommends.  Here are some
examples of passages on this topic:
- Page 165: "Far from spoiling Sasha, his eight hours in the swing were a
small compensation for being evicted from the uterus." Dr. Karp even goes on
to label as "silly" worries that babies should be in their mothers' arms. He
adds, "In today's mini-families, a swing can replace those missing pair
pairs of hands that you need to comfort your baby while you shower, go to
the bathroom, or just sit and rest a moment." These things don't add up to
eight hours for me!
- Page 169: "Some babies . are only happy when they're swinging all day."
- Page 215: Dr. Karp says that the movement of a sling or vibrating seat can
help baby sleep longer at night. "I know many parents whose babies sleep
well only when they swing all night during their first four months of life."

- I think there's a difference between acknowledging, as Dr. Karp did in
other places, that mothers do need breaks, and recommending up to eight
hours a day in the swing or recommending against holding baby or nursing a
lot.

I also agree that carriers and slings should be mentioned.  Unfortunately
they were removed from the text by the editor.  Nevertheless, I do dedicate
almost 10 pages to discussing soothing babies by moving them in a parent's
arms and lap before I mention the swing as a tool for weary parents.

Janice, I'm afraid you do misrepresent my position a bit.  I NEVER recommend
"against holding babies or nursing a lot".  My whole premise is that babies
need to be given a "fourth trimester" of constant rhythmic sensation...the
swing is only a tiny part of that.

Also, I don't say it's silly for babies to be in their mother's arms but
rather, it's silly thinking that you are a better parent because you never
use a swing.  Swings are merely tools and are often needed by families today
because many of us don't have extended families to help us with the work of
carrying our babies all day long.  Most babies don't need to be in the swing
for 8 hours, but some parents use it for nap times and when they are
preparing meals and getting the other kids ready for school....and that can
add up to 8 hours.  Additionally, some colicky babies need to be vigorously
stimulated for many hours at a time and swings can help provide much of that
soothing, rhythmic stimulation without driving a mother past the point of
exhaustion.  It is true that "I know many parents whose babies sleep well
only when they swing all night during their first four months of life."
And, finally I state, for weary parents, swings are better and safer than
car rides.

Allow me to clarify another point of misunderstanding.  When I say ""Some
babies are only happy when they're swinging all day", I am not referring to
being in a swing, but rather to being moved about and feeling motion all day
long.  Most of that time will be in a sling or in a parent's arms. (sorry
for the confusion, but I use the word "swinging" in the book to mean any
movement we lavish upon our babies).

Janice, I thank you for all the time and effort you put into reviewing my
book.  I do hope you get to watch the video.  I think you will find it
inspiring.  Finally, it is very gratifying to me to know that, despite your
reservations, you found my book to be helpful and I hope my responses have
softened some of your concerns.  I believe "The Happiest Baby on the Block"
is strongly supportive of breastfeeding and gives mothers the skills to
soothe their baby's fussing and the confidence to ignore those who criticize
their milk and push them to give up nursing.

Harvey Karp, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
UCLA School of Medicine

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