"It isn't intuitive. People say 'oh you naturally know this,' but it's actually the opposite," says Dr. Karp of the techniques needed to calm fussy babies. "It actually is quite counterintuitive. But when you know the skills, and especially when you understand that you're imitating what their sensations were in the womb, it makes sense, and when you do it and it works, then that reinforces that message."
The biggest mistake new parents make? "Not getting information. Just thinking that it's going to all work out perfectly. We have this glowy, bubbly sense of optimism, which is a wonderful thing, because you need that optimism to get through all the difficult times. But [people say] 'No-one told me, I didn't realise,' and of course hundreds of people were telling them, but it's like Teflon, it just doesn't stick to you because you're in the glow of it all."
Dr. Karp advises reading books and watching instructional videos, speaking to family and friends, and — once again — asking for help when that optimism inevitably fades. "People need to recognise that by allowing people to help, you're actually building your relationship, you'll pay back the favour some time . . . It shares this beauty of having a child with the broader group of your friends and family, it isn't something that you should be so restricted on."
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Evan Kheraj