Hi Katja, Danke for writing! Actually, The Happiest Toddler …

Comment posted on Toddlers are easier than you think… by Dr_Karp

Hi Katja,

Danke for writing! Actually, The Happiest Toddler techniques start at 8-9 months…they can work well with preverbal children. However, like the 5 S’s, toddler-ese and the other tips need to be done correctly to be effective. Most parents find they do best when they watch the Happiest TOddler DVD 2-3 times (it is only 30 minutes long…and hopefully entertaining) …and then the book makes a lot more sense.
Good Luck! Dr. Karp

Dr_Karp also commented

• Hi Jessie,

  That was really sweet of your to tell me! I am thrilled that my baby work has become so accepted by parents, but I have met with more skepticism on my toddler work. DId you also see the DVD…I recommend parents watch that first to understand the unusual techniques…then the book adds a lot of extra info. My goal this year is to really help more parents understand how these easy toddler steps can make a huge difference in their behavior (8m-5y)…and help build their confidence for the rest of their lives!
  All best,
  Dr. Karp

• Hi Gail, If he is just using the bottle to comfort for sleep and when he is run down during the day, there is no need to wean the bottle yet. Think of it like an oral Teddy Bear…and speaking of that, does he have a lovey? If you encourage that now, it will be easier for him to transition off the bottle in the year to come.

  All best,

  Dr. Karp

• Hi Angela, It is normal for 20 month olds to hit, but you do want to give him a serious response to get him to stop. Please take a look at the chapter in The Happiest Toddler on the Block book about “yellow light” behaviors (like pinching, hair pulling, biting)…it will give you some fast and effective techniques like “Toddler-ese”, “clap-growl-double take” and “kind ignoring.” Have fun! Dr. Karp
• Hi Rodrigo, I recommend you start using a good white noise CD or machine all night and read the section on sleep – specifically the technique, twinkle interruptus – in FIRST EDITION of The Happiest Toddler (it’s no longer in book stores, you’ll have to find it at a library or second hand store).

  Best wishes,

  Dr. Karp

• Please take a look at our Happiest Toddler DVD…it works in just days to help toddlers 8 months to 5 years be more patient, cooperative and better behaved…and it is in Spanish and English on the same DVD!

Recent comments by Dr_Karp

• When do I have to stop swaddling my baby?
  You don’t have to…but most parents find that the best way to learn these counterintuitive methods is to watch the DVD a few times (to master the basic techniques)…and then the book is much more understandable. Good luck!
• Crying Or Colic?
  Hi Lette, Sorry it has been a struggle for you. I don”t know how old your child is, but when parents tell me the 5 S’s are not working 90% of the time it is because they are not being done exactly right. Unfortunately, the techniques can be a little tricky (that’s why we made a DVD …it is easier to learn the 5 S’s by watching someone else do them). Swaddling is key to success…unwrapped babies tend to fuss longer and wake more often….and they then need strong white noise (when he is crying…play it as loud as a hair drier! then as he calms play it as loud as a shower)….and finally some need to sleep – fully wrapped – in the swing all night (as I describe in my new sleep book). And if you are sure you are doing everything right and they are STILL not working, you should have your child checked by his doctor.
• When do I have to stop swaddling my baby?
  Hi Anne, As I discuss in my new sleep book, infants who can escape the swaddling are not being swaddled properly (big enough blanket? arms snug?) or they may need to sleep swaddled in a fast moving swing all night…I recommend you double check your technique with your doctor or on The Happiest Baby DVD). Also, make sure the sound is as loud as a shower…and try a more rumbly, rough noise (I discuss this in other responses on this page). Best of luck! Dr. Karp
• When do I have to stop swaddling my baby?
  Hi Talia, Make sure you are using a rumbly white noise CD (all night/naps…as loud as a shower)…this will improve his sleep…but if he is still trying to roll over, I recommend you ask your doctors permission to swaddle him (with the white noise playing) and then buckle him snugly into a fully reclined (flat) swing or infant seat.

  Take care, Dr. Karp

• When do I have to stop swaddling my baby?
  Hi Barbara,

  Don;t worry…she won’t go to college needing to be swaddled! Some babies seem to need swaddling even to 8, 9, 10 months…but what helps to wean it faster is to use a rough, rumbly white noise CD for all naps and night sleep. (I usually recommend track 5 or 6 of our specially engineered CD…played about as loud as a shower.)
  Have fun! Dr. Karp

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