The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block 2-Book Bundle pdfdrive com

when the wind blows the cradle will rock,

---

when the bough breaks the cradle will fall,
and down will come baby, cradle and all.
The rhythms may be for sleepy babies, but the words are
definitely for frazzled grown-ups!
The Windshield Wiper and Infant Swings: Two Great Ways
to Move Your Baby in the Right Direction
Deborah’s two-month-old son, Max, loved being lifted up
and down, over and over again, using his mother like a
carnival ride.
Genevieve’s mom found she had to walk her baby, lap
after lap, around the block to keep her happy.
Carrying your baby in your arms or sling all day is one of the most
pleasurable treats of being a new mom, but, by the end of the day, it can
leave you feeling exhausted. So how else can you jiggle your baby
without wearing out your back, your carpet, or your sense of humor?
I suggest these two user-friendly and highly successful calming
motions: the Windshield Wiper, which is great for calming frantic
babies, and the infant swing, which keeps babies quiet after they’ve been
calmed.
The Windshield Wiper: How to Use Your Lap to Quiet Your
Colicky Baby
The Windshield Wiper perfectly combines the 5 “S’s” for a very
powerful soothing experience. Next to in my arms or a sling, it’s my
favorite method for switching on a baby’s calming reflex.
Don’t get discouraged if the movement seems a little complicated
the first time you try it. After five to ten practices, you’ll see it’s one

---

of the easiest ways for pooped parents to soothe upset infants. (It’s
best to practice the Windshield Wiper with a doll or when your
baby is quiet and alert.)
Here’s what to do:
1. Swaddle your baby tightly (the 1st “S”).
2. Find a comfortable chair to sit in with your feet resting flat on the
floor. (Most parents find that sitting forward in the chair works
best.)
3. Sit with your knees together and your feet a few inches apart
(approximately the same distance as your shoulders).
4. Nestle your baby on his right side in the groove between your legs
(the 2nd “S”), allowing his cheek and head to rest in your left hand
(on top of your knees). If your baby is long, or your arms are short,
pull him closer to you and let his ankles rest on your left hip.
5. Slide your right hand under his head so your two hands overlap a
bit and his head is cradled in an open, loose grasp.
6. Soften your shoulders, take a deep breath, and let your body relax.
7. Roll your baby partly, or totally, onto his stomach. His tummy
should press against your left arm or legs. Make sure he’s not at all
rolled toward his back.
8. Lean forward over his body, and make a rough shhhh right next to
his ear (the 3rd “S”). Your shhhh should be as loud as his crying.
9. Now swing (the 4th “S”) your knees side-to-side—like a windshield
wiper. If he’s crying hard, move faster but make your moves smaller
and smaller. In seconds you’ll be making quick, tiny movements—
two to three beats per second and one inch from side to side. The
louder your little one cries, the faster and smaller your swinging
should be. Then, as he calms, gradually slow your motion down.
(Remember, his head must jiggle like Jell-O back and forth between
your hands to turn on the calming reflex.) Some parents prefer
bouncing their baby up and down on their knees, but this often
doesn’t work as well as swinging.
10. Finally, if your hands are well positioned, your left thumb should

---

be in front of his mouth. Offer him your clean thumb to suck on (the
5th “S”). Don’t worry about your thumb being too big to fit;
remember how big he can open his mouth when he cries! Or, if you
prefer, your hand is also in position to hold a pacifier for him to
suck on.