Soothing Strategies for Newborns: The Power of the 5 S’s
Babies cry—it’s the only way they can communicate—but it can be tough on your parent heart if they seem to be crying more often than not.
Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician, coined the term "the 5 S’s," which are five soothing techniques to help stimulate a baby’s calming reflex. Dr. Karp hypothesized that the first three months of a baby’s life are the "fourth trimester," where the baby would rather still be in the womb. However, because they have outgrown the space, they finish their development outside the womb. The 5 S’s calm a newborn by mimicking their womb environment and triggering their calming reflex.
A randomized controlled study found that when parents of newborns implemented these soothing techniques, the frequency and duration of crying in this group were lower compared to newborns whose parents did not use these strategies (Donmez & Temel, 2019). *Note: This study did not measure the effects of the "sucking" soothing technique but tested swaddling, side-lying, swinging, and shushing.
When you know baby is fed and clean but still upset, try these 5 soothing techniques. They can be used individually or combined. Even the fussiest baby will find it hard to resist a well-executed, magical 5 S approach.
The 5 S’s
The 5 soothing techniques include Swaddle, Side-lying, Shush, Swing, and Suck. A sixth "S," learned from The Peaceful Sleeper, is the Eyebrow Stroke.
Swaddle: While babies are snug in the womb, outside, they have a moro (startle) reflex that can disrupt sleep. Swaddling mimics the snugness of the womb, providing calming sensory input. Ensure the swaddle is snug around the arms and chest but loose around the hips for proper movement.
Some parents mention their baby doesn’t like being swaddled. I encourage you to try combining other soothing techniques before swaddling. Often, soothing followed by swaddling is just the right combination.
Side-lying: For sleep safety, babies should lie on their backs in cribs or bassinets until they can roll over on their own. But for soothing, side-lying can work wonders! Swaddle the baby and hold them on their side against your chest, or hold them away from you with their back against your front.
Many babies also find the gentle pressure on their belly in this position relieves gas pain and helps them burp.
Shush: A steady "sh sh sh" sound mimics womb noises. The womb is not quiet with constant blood whooshing and mama’s heartbeat; babies are accustomed to consistent noise. Try a white noise machine or make the sound yourself. Match the volume of your shushing to the intensity of the cry—louder for intense crying, softer as baby calms.
Swing: Babies love gentle motion. In the womb, they’re often lulled by their mama’s constant movements. Bounce on a yoga ball, pat baby’s bum while walking, rock in a chair, or sway baby gently side-to-side in a side-lying position—all can have a calming effect. Ensure movements match baby’s cry intensity—more vigorous for more crying, gentler as they calm.
Suck: Sucking is incredibly soothing for babies. There's nutritive sucking (for feeding) and non-nutritive (when baby just wants to suck for comfort). Pacifiers can help without overfeeding. Offer a pacifier if baby isn’t hungry but needs comfort. A clean pinky finger can also work if baby won’t take a paci or you have decided not to offer one.
Stroke: The sixth "S," the eyebrow stroke, is from The Peaceful Sleeper. Gently stroke baby’s eyebrows or from hairline down their nose bridge. It can encourage eye closure and help baby drift to sleep.
These techniques can be game-changers for calming upset babies or helping them drift off to sleep.
If you want to make a personalized plan for your newborn to get the best sleep possible, I’m in your corner and would love to meet with you! Schedule your free consult here!
Sweet dreams await!
*Please consult your pediatrician alongside trying these soothing techniques to address any underlying discomfort or pain.
References
Donmez, R. O., & Temel, A. B. (2019). Effect of soothing techniques on infants’ self-regulation behaviors (sleeping, crying, feeding): A randomized controlled study. Japan Journal of Nursing Science, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/jjns.12250
Karp, H. (2024). The science of the 5 s’s. Happiest Baby. https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/science-5-s-s
