Hi Pam,

I hope this isn't more information than you were hoping to get.

Contrary to logic and common wisdom, the medical studies done to date do
report that "colic" is equally as common in breast fed babies as formula fed
babies.  (See Ron Barr, et al Pediatrics 1989 84: 514-21, B. Forsyth, J
Pediatrics 1985, 106:1012, DW Thomas Am J Dis Child 1987, 141:451).

But, the reason for this is two fold:

1) Cow's milk protein from a mom's diet CAN cross the breast into our babies
tiny stomachs and trigger an allergic reaction and fussines or even outright
persistent crying (See K-M Jarvinen, et al J Peds 1999, 135: 506 ab=nd J
SOrva, J Allergy Clin Immuno 1994, 93; 787).  This occurs in about 2% of all
babies (1 in 10 of the 20% of babies who cry more than 3 hours a day, 3 days
a week for 3 weeks - the formal medical definition of colic)

2) Also, contrary to common teaching, "colic" is NOT primarily a stomach
problem.  As strange as it may sound, persistent crying occurs because our
young babies come out of the cozy womb...3 months too soon!

I know that sounds like a crazy man's concept, but what I mean is that the
change from a baby's world inside the uterus to our world is just too
dramatic for some babies to handle.  Even when a mom and dad are being
really diligent and their baby is being held, rocked, suckled and shushed
for 12 hours a day, which certainly feels like alot from our perspective, it
is an immediate 50% decrease for our newborns.

Fortunately, most of them can handle that change, but some of them can't. In
fact, some of them are so overwhelmed by the bizarre combination of chaotic
OVER-stimulation that confronts them in our world and the profound
UNDER-stimulation they experience because of the sudden lack of constant
holding, rocking and continuous uterine white noise (which as you may know
is louder than a vacuum)!

Our babies aren't like little horses with the ability to run on the forst
day of life!  They are immature...more fetus than infant. In other words our
babies need a "Fourth Trimester".  This "Fourth Trimester" doesn't calm them
because it makes them "feel at home", it works so well because it turns on a
recently discoveredreflex that ALL babies are born with....the "calming
reflex".

The KEY to calming any fussy baby in the first 3 months of life is to learn
how mimic their life inside the uterus to activate the "calming" reflex,
which is an almost irresistable "off-switch" for crying in young babies.

For a complete explanation of what colic really is,and simple instruction on
how to turn the calming reflex on, please take a look at my new book and
useful video, The Happiest Baby on the Block available at
www.thehappiestbaby.com.

I hope this was helpful,

Harvey Karp, MD, private practitioner, advisor to the UCLA Lactation
Training Program and assistant professor of pediatrics at the UCLA School of
Medicine


PS Here are some advanced reviews on my approach:

"The Happiest Baby on the Block is fun, fascinating and convincing.  I
highly recommend it to all new parents to help them accomplish one of their
most important jobs - soothing their crying baby."

Elisabeth Bing, author and co-founder of Lamaze International

“Dr. Karp clearly loves babies and respects parents. The 5 S calming
technique should be taught to all professionals working with young babies,
it’s really that effective!”

Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution


"Dr. Karp's book is fascinating.  It presents the top science about the
development of babies in a style that is sensible and a pleasure to read.  I
believe it will reassure and guide new parents for many years to come."

Julius Richmond, MD, Professor of Health Policy, Harvard Medical School,
founding director of Head Start, former Surgeon General of the United States


"Dr. Karp's practical approach is a superb way to help babies when they are
crying or upset. All who care for children will gain greatly from this new
addition to our parenting library."

Steven P. Shelov, M.D., Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Infants and
Children's Hospital of Brooklyn, Maimonides, editor-in-chief, American
Academy of Pediatrics Caring for Your New Baby and Young Child: Birth to
Five

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