Expert Tips to Soothe Your Crying Baby

Welcoming a new baby into the world is a thrilling and exciting moment for new parents. However, it can be overwhelming and challenging to understand how to soothe a crying baby. At Bay City Doulas, we recommend using the Happiest Baby on the Block soothing method, which has proven to be successful in calming infants. This method was created by Dr. Harvey Karp and involves the 5 S’s protocol, which imitates the sensations that a baby feels while in the womb.

Listed below are the five soothing techniques that Dr. Harvey Karp has created for the 5 S’s protocol.

Swaddling

The first step of the 5 S’s protocol is swaddling. This method involves wrapping your baby in a tight blanket, which mimics the confined feeling they felt while in the womb. Swaddling helps to calm your baby down and can even lengthen their sleeping times. It is essential to ensure that the swaddle is done correctly to give your baby the snug feeling they are used to.

Sidelying or stomach position

The second step is holding your baby in a side or stomach position. This position represents the more confined sensation that they may be used to. However, it is important to note that the only safe sleeping position for a baby is on their back.

Shushing

The third step is to make shushing sounds that are consistent. The sound replicates the noises that they heard while in the womb and can calm your baby relatively quickly. You can use a sound machine or white noise machine to help with this.

Swing

The fourth step is swinging or rocking your baby back and forth in a consistent motion. This motion imitates the soothing feeling that they are used to and can be helpful in calming your baby. Bouncing on a yoga ball can also be useful in this step.

Suck

The fifth and final step is sucking. Babies have an instinctual need to suck and can find comfort in a pacifier. Sucking is essential in soothing an upset baby and can be beneficial for their development.

It is important to note that each baby is different and may respond differently to each of these methods. Therefore, it is essential to play around with different soothing methods to find what works best for your baby and your family as a whole.

At Bay City Doulas, we have had great success with the 5 S’s method in helping to soothe an upset baby. Our postpartum doula services are available in Santa Cruz, San Jose, and the broader Bay Area. If you would like more quick tips or to learn more about our services, please visit our website at www.baycitydoulas.com.

In conclusion, welcoming a new baby into your life is an exciting moment. However, it can be challenging to understand how to soothe a crying baby. The Happiest Baby on the Block method is a proven system that can be beneficial in calming your baby. Remember, each baby is different, and it is essential to try different methods until you find what works best for your family.

Thank you for reading this weeks blog, “Expert tips to soothe your crying baby.” For more tips and tricks on parenthood, postpartum, and pregnancy visit our weekly post.