Newborns and the Status Quo

When I found out I was going to be a father in the summer of 2015, I wanted to be prepared. Everyone knows the stereotypes of those first months.

To the extent that during the first six months of life, the first question everyone asks is, "So, how are you sleeping?"

I decided I wanted to do all the research I could to handle those first months with grace. Those first months where sleep is  known to be impossible.

Those months where you hear stories of babies crying all night long, stories of colic, and how there is nothing you can do about it but try to survive.

Except...

It turned out someone solved that problem.

I know...right? 

His name is Harvey Karp. He wrote a book of miracles called "The Happiest Baby on the Block."

The book is beautiful. He opens by asking the question that started his research.

In this day and age, with all of our research, how have we not solved the newborns-crying-all-the-time problem?

His concept is simple yet brilliant. It's that babies really need a year to truly be born, but need to come out of the womb after nine months due to their size.

Thus, most of the things that we do to try help babies sleep during those first three months...like keeping the bedroom quiet...actually freak babies out because they have been used to completely different sensations inside the womb.

The techniques Karp describes simulate the sensations of being back in the womb.

And (assuming they aren't hungry or need a changing), they make crying babies calm down and go to sleep INSTANTLY!!

Like a reflex.

I was skeptical at first, so I had to get the DVD version of the book to make sure I was understanding correctly. I had to see it in action. And indeed, it worked.

Don't believe me? It seems that Dr. Karp's video demos are banned from the internet so you have to buy the DVD. But, check out this video of the technique in action.

When our first daughter was born, instead of dreading the first months, I was excited to try this out. And it worked. Instantly.

Even I could do it. And that in itself was a miracle.

In those first three months, the wakings in the middle of the night were actually something to look forward to. Instead of praying for a miracle, I used my new little secret weapon.

BAM! And back to sleep, it was.

I never give unsolicited parenting advice, but when I hear a friend is going to have a baby, I recommend this book first thing. Because it works, and I know it will make my friend's life better.

They never end up reading it...but that's okay.

The stories, expectations, and status quo are hard to break through, even when it could be life changing.

So, what's the point?

How often have we settled for something blindly because that's just how it is, and that's how it's always been done?

Whatever it may be. School, job, relationship, kids, life.

Got a problem or something coming up that you can't stand or are afraid of? 

Do a Google search. Are you absolutely sure this is how it is?

Someone may have actually solved the problem. Or maybe not. 

But at the very least, it would be interesting to find out.