We were at our son and daughter-in-laws house welcoming our newest grandchild home. Along with the joys of parenting, there was the stress that escalates when a baby cries and cannot be comforted.

As the new parents spent yet another sleepless night, a friend recommended "The Happiest Baby on the Block". As they viewed the DVD, they were overjoyed at the techniques and advice they received.

Dr. Karp, the author of the technique and the DVD, explains that the first three months of a newborn's existence are an extension of the first three trimesters, what he refers to as the fourth trimester. He explains how soothing it is to the newborn to feel a sense of the environment he experienced in utero.

There are five basic steps: swaddling, side position, shooshing, swinging, sucking. Some babies need all five to help to induce what Dr. Karp calls the "calming reflex."

By swaddling and then making the shooshing sounds as illustrated in the DVD, our grandson's crying stopped instantly and he was soothed and happy. It is amazing to witness the crying pattern stopping as peace is restored.

With just one viewing of the DVD, they slept that very night better than than had the first several nights and were better able to handle the needs of their newborn during the day with a renewed peace and confidence that only comes from getting enough sleep.

With tears of joy, my daughter in law said "Every new parent should know about this DVD. They should give it out at hospitals, we should tell any pregnant woman we meet, and the doctors should tell their patients about it."

In seeing not only the rewards of more sleep and a calmer presence for our son and his wife, I also noticed that our grandson was calmer and less stressed.

This DVD would make the perfect Baby Shower gift or gift for anyone with a newborn in the home. The techniques are said to work up to about 7 months of age; when you can then view Dr Karp's "The Happiest Toddler" for a continued peaceful home.