The 5 S's soothing method

Pediatrician Harvey Karp's five-step sequence intentionally mimics the sensory environment of the womb, triggering a calming reflex hardwired into newborn brains. Swaddle snugly with arms in, hold on the side or stomach while awake, shush loudly near the ear, swing with tiny fast jiggles, and offer a pacifier or clean finger to suck. The technique works best when all five are combined, not one at a time. It's also strongest in the first three months, while the calming reflex is most active. Expect your shushing to feel awkwardly loud — it should be roughly as loud as your baby's crying. Anything softer usually can't break through the overwhelm. As crying settles, gradually lower your volume with it.