The Five S's

Have you heard of the 5 S's?

If you are pregnant or already have a newborn, you need to know about the 5 S's!  In his "Happiest Baby on the Block" book and video, Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician from UCLA, explains how to calm a fussy baby!  He says that babies need noise and like to feel as if they're back in the womb.  He also states that "new parents are often under the mistaken impression newborns need stillness and quiet to fall asleep, when they're actually missing the movement and noise of the womb."  So, he came up with the 5 S's to calm a fussy baby.  Here they are...

The 5 S's

(in order)

Swaddle

Although not all babies like to be swaddled, many will calm down when correctly wrapped tightly.

Side-lying

Positioning your baby on his side or stomach in your arms can be very calming for a little one in a big world.  However, remember to always place your baby on his back to sleep.

Swinging

Supporting your baby's head and neck, gently swing your baby back and forth.  The movement is meant to be slow and consistent, not fast and jarring.

Karp is quick to caution parents not to try these techniques when they are angry.  Parents should never violently shake a baby, in order to prevent severe brain injury.

Shushing

Quietly make a shush sound in your baby's ear to mimic the sounds of the womb.

Sucking

Offer your baby a clean finger or pacifier to ease his natural need to suck by making him feel secure.

Hopefully, trying these techniques will work as well for you as it did for me and my little guy.

Best wishes for sweet dreams!

Source