Spit-up On My Shoulder

One of the best ways I’ve found for soothing a crying baby is the 5 S’s method developed by Dr. Harvey Karp. He is the author of the book, The Happiest Baby on the Block, which also is available as a DVD. The DVD is a great way to watch other parents learn the technique.

I remember the first time I tried the 5 S’s. My client’s baby was screaming his lungs out. By the time I got to the third S, he was asleep. I couldn’t believe it.

(Note: The 5 S’s work best during the first 3 months or so of your baby’s life.)

First check if there’s something that’s making your baby cry. Are they hungry, tired, or have a wet diaper? Are they too warm or too cold? Is something (like a clothing tag?) poking them? Once you’ve checked all of these and the baby is still crying, it’s time to try the 5 S’s.

In order the steps are: Swaddle the baby, hold the baby in a Side or Stomach lying position, Shush loudly in the baby’s ear, Swing the baby, and then give the baby something to Suck on.

It’s important to follow the steps in order to insure the highest likelihood of triggering the “calming reflex” in your baby.

Some tips on each step:

1) Swaddle the baby tightly enough that her arms and legs can’t wriggle free. Like a little burrito. Sometimes this makes the baby cry harder. Hang on and continue to the next step.

2) Side or Stomach lying: Place the baby on your forearm with their head cradled in your hand. Play around with side and stomach lying to find which one your baby prefers.

3) Shushing: Don’t be afraid to do this loudly. You must be louder than the baby’s cries, or they won’t hear you. Shushing triggers the same response as most babies have to white noise. It comforts them because the whooshing sounds they heard in utero could be as loud as a vacuum.

4) Swinging: Keep shushing in the baby’s ear. Now gently jiggle the baby’s head in while their head is cradled in your palm. The jiggle comes from the wrist and your hand should be moving back and forth from right to left.

5) Sucking: Give the baby your finger or thumb, a pacifier, the breast, or a bottle to suck on.

The method might not work the first time you try it, but keep practicing. I’ve seen how it has changed new parent’s lives. It would have saved me so much stress if I had known about it when I was having babies.

Once I learned about the 5 S’s, I had to restrain myself from telling every pregnant woman or new parent I saw about it. I think I was starting to scare strangers in the grocery store. Watch out, it might happen to you too.

If you try the 5 S’s, I’d love to hear how it went. You can click the Comment button below, or send me a private message by clicking Contact Melanie under my picture on the left.