The newborn stage is no joke, and soothing a fussy baby can feel like cracking an impossible code. If you’ve ever found yourself bouncing, rocking, and shushing your newborn at 2 am, desperately trying to get them to settle, you’re not alone.
Enter Dr. Harvey Karp, pediatrician and author of Happiest Baby on the Block, who blessed sleep-deprived parents everywhere with his famous 5 S’s—simple, research-backed techniques that mimic the womb and help calm newborns. I’ll also give you a bonus “s” to help soothe your little one!
But here’s the thing: there’s one more secret weapon that I absolutely swear by. Even better? You can stack these techniques together for the ultimate soothing combo. So let’s break down the 6 S’s for soothing a fussy baby and get you on the fast track to a peacefully sleeping baby.
1. Swaddle
Brand new newborns aren’t used to all this open space—they’ve spent nine months in a cozy, snug environment! Swaddling helps recreate that comforting sensation and prevents the startle reflex from waking them up every five seconds.
Swaddle tips:
- Swaddle snugly, but not too tight—hips should be able to move freely!
- If baby keeps breaking out of their swaddle, it might be too loose (or you might have a future Houdini on your hands).
- Swaddle blankets are great, but there are also zip-up or Velcro swaddles that make life easier.
And if you’re struggling with the perfect swaddle technique, check out this swaddle tutorial. I promise it’s all in the first couple of folds!
Click here to check out my swaddle tutorial on Instagram.
2. Side or Stomach Position
First, let’s get this straight—back is always best for sleep. But when you’re soothing your baby, the side or stomach position can work wonders.
Try holding your baby in a side-lying position against your chest, or gently turn them onto their tummy while supporting them. This position can help calm their reflexes and settle them faster. Just remember to return them to their back for sleep!
3. Shhh-ing Sounds
Have you ever noticed how loud the world is inside the womb? Between mom’s heartbeat, blood flow, and digestive sounds, newborns are used to constant noise.
How to use shushing effectively:
- A white noise machine on a steady, low-pitch setting (like rain or a deep whoosh) works wonders.
- Your own voice can be just as effective—shushing in their ears can actually be more soothing than whispering. (Yes, really!)
4. Swinging for Soothing a Baby
Babies spend months floating and moving inside the womb, so gently swinging or rocking helps them feel right at home. It also mimics how their eyes would move in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which helps soothe/calm them down! Pair this with swaddling and shushing for maximum soothing power.
Click here to learn more about why swinging is such an effective tool for soothing a fussy baby.
5. Sucking
Sucking is one of the most natural ways for babies to self-soothe, whether it’s through nursing, a bottle, or a pacifier.
Pacifier pro-tips:
- If baby keeps spitting out the pacifier, gently hold it in place while they learn to latch onto it.
- Try the “tug of war” trick—gently pull on the pacifier when baby has it in their mouth. This encourages them to suck harder and helps them keep it in longer.
- If baby falls asleep with the pacifier, try pressing their chin gently to encourage their tongue to take over.
If your baby seems to be struggling to keep the pacifier in their mouth, click here to watch more pacifier tips on Instagram.
6. Bonus “S” for Soothing
Ok, here’s my secret addition to Dr. Karp’s 5 S’s: the Eyebrow Stroke.
If you’ve ever caught yourself feeling sleepy when someone plays with your hair, this works in a similar way. Gently stroking your baby’s eyebrows and forehead can trigger their natural reflex to close their eyes and relax.
Here’s how to do it:
- Lightly trace baby’s eyebrows from the inside out.
- Or, gently stroke from the top of their forehead down to the tip of their nose.
It’s like a magic sleep switch—try it, and you’ll see why this deserves to be the 6th S!
Click here to watch the eyebrow stroke in action over on Instagram.
Recap of the 6 S’s for Soothing a Newborn
The best part, you don’t have to use just one at a time! The real magic happens when you combine the S’s. Try swaddling your baby while rocking them and gently shushing. Or offer a pacifier while you gently stroke their eyebrows. Stacking these techniques together mimics the womb even more closely and can help your baby settle faster and sleep longer.
Click here to learn more about the 6 S’s on Instagram.
If you need support with your baby’s specific sleep needs or want to troubleshoot with an expert, we would love to work with you. Hop on a call with one of our AMAZING Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultants!
Whether your little one is a newborn (0-4 Months Content Library), 4-24 months (4-24 Months Content Library), or a toddler (2-5 Years Content Library), we have the resources you need to get your family the sleep you all deserve!
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