What are the 5 S's for soothing my baby?

Five tips from a newborn specialist and NICU nurse on how to calm and soothe your newborn.

Some of my clients have called me a baby whisperer. I’ve even had parents ask if I can come home with them for the night. Aside from many years working as a NICU nurse, I also spent some time working as a newborn care specialist, going to homes of new parents and teaching them to care for their little ones. While my job does take some patience and practice, I also have a few tricks up my sleeve. I wanted to share some of these tricks to help new parents make it through those first few exhausting weeks. (Get excited, Mama, these really do work!)

Let me introduce you to Dr. Harvey Karp, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block. He breaks everything down into the 5 S’s for soothing your baby. Think of your baby in the womb. It’s dark and warm with a constant swishing noise and gentle swaying motion. So how can we make the transition from the womb to this bright, loud world of our’s a little easier on baby? Dr. Karp talks about 5 S’s for a happy baby.

1. Swaddle

Why Swaddling Works: 

Newborns love the tight boundaries they’ve been used to for the last 9 months. Swaddling a baby decreases startling and gives the baby a sense of security. 

How to Swaddle (Safely):

1. Keep the hips loose. Swaddle just tight enough to keep Baby’s arms inside, but keep it loose around the hip and leg area so Baby can bend his or her legs up and out in order to prevent hip dysplasia. 
2. Spread a large, thin blanket out flat.
3. Fold one corner in toward the center.
4. Lay your baby face-up with her shoulders in line with the folded edge (she will be laying on top of the folded corner).
5. Straighten her left arm, and hold it gently to her side.
6. Wrap the left corner of the blanket over her arm and body, and tuck it between the right side of her body and her right arm.
7. Keeping the blanket loose for legs to move, bring the bottom of the blanket up, and tuck it snugly over her shoulder, or fold into a crease near her chest.
8. Then, pull her right arm down and wrap the right corner of the blanket around her body, and tuck it underneath her left side.

Diagram:  StayWell API

Safety Notes for Swaddling 

• Make sure the room is cool and well-ventilated. Do not swaddle your baby if you are outside in the heat or in an especially warm room.
• Use thin, breathable fabric. These muslin blankets by Aden and Anais are a great size and weight and last forever – you’ll find so many uses for these!
• While you want to keep your baby snug and the blanket in place, be careful not to swaddle too tightly. The truth is, some babies just like to move and can break out of any swaddle you put them in. That’s ok. Keep your baby safe.
• If you’re having trouble, try a zip or Velcro swaddle for less work. Just make sure they follow APA guidelines, and use them only as directed on the package. Here are some examples of fuss-free swaddles.
• If you notice any signs of distress, discomfort, or overheating, please remove your baby from the swaddle.
• Always place your baby on his back to sleep. Once your baby is learning to roll, it’s time to get rid of the swaddle. His startle reflex should start diminishing, and it could put him at risk if he rolls on his belly while swaddled.

2. Side or Stomach Position

Why Side or Stomach Position Works: 

Be sure to place infants on their backs for safe sleeping, but if Baby is awake and fussy, holding him on his side or over your shoulder on his stomachs is a great way to calm him.

How to Calm Baby in the Side or Stomach Position: 

1. Using the football hold or laying him on your forearms while seated, gently lay your baby out on his side (you can also do this while swaddled until he falls asleep, then gently roll him to his back).
2. To increase the soothing effect, gently rock him back and forth.
3. Or, lay him perpendicular on his stomach across your lap. (Make sure to hold him securely with both hands.)
4. Rock back and forth for extra soothing. 

Safety Notes for Side and Stomach Position:

These positions are good for temporary awake times only. Do not let your baby sleep in these positions, and trying switching positions again once your baby is calm and happy, or lay him down on his back if he falls asleep. 

3. Shush

Why Shushing Works:

Your baby has spent the last 9 months with a constant whooshing noise- the sound of your blood flow. So naturally, this noise has been proven to comfort them. In my studio, you’ll find a white noise machine, but one of my favorites is the  Baby Shusher. You can find it on  Amazon , and it’s truly amazing! 

If you find that your baby loves white noise for sleeping, try putting a soothing, low-volume noise machine in her room. Once she hears it, that will be her cue to sleep!

4. Swing

Why Swinging/Swaying Works:

Life for your baby in the womb was very jiggly – a constant soothing motion. Swinging or swaying with baby (while supporting the head and neck) is a nice way to mimic that motion to soothe your baby. 

Safety Notes for Swinging:

There’s a good chance your baby will love some sort of swing, bouncer, or glider. Although it’s tempting to leave him in there for naps and sleeping time, do your best to have him take his longer “sleeps” in his crib or bassinette. Not only will this help you later on, it’s not safe for babies to sleep for long periods (especially at night) in a swing or bouncer. 

5. Suck

Why Sucking Works:

Babies are born with a suck reflex. For obvious reasons, the suck reflex is needed for baby to eat. However, the suck reflex is also a known way for baby to soothe herself. Whether it be the breast, a pinky finger or a pacifier, allowing the baby to suck is a sure way to keep her calm.

If your baby is full and dry but still fussing, give the 5 S’s a shot. As with anything, practice makes perfect, but I firmly believe Dr. Karp’s method is a great place to start to keep baby calm.