How to Calm a Crying Baby and the 5 S’s

Is your baby crying, and you’re unsure what to do? Don’t worry—you’re not alone, and help is here! In this video, I walk you through the 5 S’s, a proven method for calming a fussy baby:

• Swaddle: Recreate the snug, secure feeling of the womb.

• Side/Stomach Position: Help your baby feel at ease (soothing only; back to sleep!).

• Shush: Mimic the comforting white noise of the womb.

• Swing: Gentle motion can work wonders for soothing.

• Suck: Offer a pacifier or let them nurse to self-soothe.

Each baby is unique, so take your time experimenting with these methods until you find what works best. Crying can feel overwhelming, but with the 5 S’s, you’ll have tools to help your little one settle and feel safe.

References

1. Karp, H. (2002). The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Sleep Longer. Bantam Books.

2. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). Safe Sleep: Recommendations from the AAP Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Pediatrics, 138(5), e20162938. Brazelton, T. B. (1992).

3. Touchpoints: Your Child’s Emotional and Behavioral Development. Addison-Wesley.