New parents are often overwhelmed with their new baby. Parents are often overtired and desperate to find ways to quickly comfort their baby, especially fussy babies who cry often for long periods of time. In recent years there has been a shift in thinking about newborn babies and how to best care for them. Dr. Harvey Karp created a new philosophy that recognizes that during the first three months of life, babies often crave the feelings and sounds of the womb. During this stage, infants have a calming reflex and respond well to imitations of the womb. Therefore, parents can use some calming womb-like sensations, often referred to as the 5 S’s: Swaddle, Side-Stomach Position, Shush, Swing, and Suck. It is important that parents use these happiest baby techniques correctly or they will not be effective.
Swaddle
The tight wrapping of swaddling mimics the feeling of being inside the womb. When swaddled, babies’ arms should be at their sides and their hips should be loose and flexed. Initially, a swaddled baby may become more upset but with some rocking and “shushing” the baby will often calm down. Babies should be swaddled when they are fussy or tired because it can provide comfort and increase sleep duration.
Side or Stomach Position
Babies should only sleep on their backs because it reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, many babies prefer to be held on their side or on their stomach over your shoulder while they are awake. When your baby is fussy during the daytime try holding them on their side or stomach for the happiest baby approach.
Shush
The womb is very noisy and babies like this soothing noise. The inside of the womb sounds like a vacuum cleaner. Therefore, babies do well with white noise that mimics the sound heard inside the womb. White noise machines are very popular, and parents may play white noise on their phones or tablets. Parents can also make a loud “shushing” sound in their baby’s ear while rocking her.
Swing
While inside the womb babies get used to rocking and jiggling often when their mom moves about. Fussy babies often need to feel fast, tiny movements to calm down and do not calm down with slow rocking. It is essential to support the head and neck while rocking your baby and avoid shaking them.
Suck
Babies are often calmed by sucking and calm easily with a pacifier. Some parents are hesitant to introduce a pacifier too early as it may cause nipple confusion with breastfeeding. Some parents will choose to offer a clean finger for their baby to suck instead of a pacifier.
Better Sleep
The 5 S’s ultimately lead to better quality and longer durations of sleep for infants. Parents are thankful for this additional time to rest. These soothing techniques can be invaluable for parents, especially those with very fussy babies.
What if the Happiest Baby 5 S’s are not working?
Oftentimes the 5 S’s are very effective in soothing babies under 3 months old who are still becoming accustomed to life outside the womb. But what if this strategy isn’t working for your baby?
Perhaps your baby is hungry, wet, or lonely. Even if a baby just finished feeding, he may need a little more or maybe crave skin-to-skin contact. Sometimes babies become fussy when they are struggling to make a poop or digest. If your baby is colicky, she could have a medical problem, such as an allergy to milk, infection, or stomach acid reflux. If the baby does not have any of these issues, ensure that you are doing the 5 S’s correctly. They will not be effective if they are not performed properly. If your baby is inconsolable it is time to talk with your pediatrician. Learn more in the video below from pediatrician Harvey Karp, M.D., author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block.”
