To soothe fussing, parents can turn on their baby’s calming reflex using 5-steps that imitate the womb sensations that babies love. Those are swaddling, the side/stomach position (only to soothe crying, never for sleep), shushing, swinging and sucking. Those are referred to as “the 5 S’s” in Dr Karp’s classic book/video, Happiest Baby on the Block.
Parents are often encouraged to give their babies these calming S’s by going for car trips; going for a walk using an infant carrier, stroller, or turning on a hair drier.
You can comfort your fussy baby with several of these soothing sensations by putting them in SNOO. (And, it is safer and less polluting than going for a car trip at 2 AM.)
These often soothe fussing in minutes, or less. If they are not working quickly, check to make sure they are being done correctly; the baby is not hungry or uncomfortable, or the baby is not over 3-4 months of age.
See the video below for a demonstration of 4 ways to soothe babies.
If you're seeking personalized sleep support for your little one, we invite you to try our Sleep Questionnaire, and our dedicated Sleep Consultants are here to help.
