How to Soothe Baby With the 5 S’s (And Other Tips From Real Parents)

The first few months with a newborn will feel like a beautiful, messy blur. I remember loving the sweet moments and anxiously anticipating the meltdowns with my first. Specifically, I remember holding her as she screamed uncontrollably, wondering what I’d do if she just never stopped crying. Full. Panic. Mode. Once I started incorporating a few soothing techniques that I learned from the grapevine, the baby fury drastically subdued. It wasn’t magic, but it felt pretty darn close. Turns out, I was unknowingly using the 5 S’s.

“The principle of the 5 S’s is based on utilizing methods to create conditions somewhat similar to the womb, and helping to calm an infant whose brain hasn’t yet developed the ability to self-soothe,” explains Jenelle Ferry, MD, a board-certified neonatologist and director of feeding, nutrition and infant development at Pediatrix Medical Group in Tampa, Florida. If you’ve never heard of the 5 S’s for baby, you’re in for a treat—because, when used together strategically, they really can work wonders! Ready to master the art of soothing baby one “S” at a time? Read on to learn more from experts and real parents.

Key Takeaways

• The 5 S’s stand for swaddling, side/stomach holding, shushing, swinging and sucking. Used together, these soothing techniques help mimic the womb’s calming environment.
• Newborns are most responsive to the 5 S’s technique; using these tactics from day one can help curb crying before it escalates.
• If one “S” doesn’t work, try combining a few. Some babies respond best when you layer techniques, such as swaddling, swinging and shushing.
• If the 5 S’s aren’t working, check for other needs: Is baby hungry? Gassy? Overtired? Also, be sure to give yourself grace—taking a quick breather is often the best move for you and baby.

What Are the 5 S’s?

You can think of the 5 S’s method as a caregiver’s guide to soothing an upset baby back to a state of calm. The S’s stand for: swaddling, putting baby on their side or stomach, shushing, swinging and sucking.

The 5 S’s technique was originally developed in the early 2000s by pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp, and has since been widely adopted by doctors worldwide. The goal of the 5 S’s is to activate what Karp calls the “calming reflex”—a so-called built-in switch that helps soothe baby by recreating the comforting atmosphere of the uterus.

“In the womb, baby was soothed by the natural rocking movement of your daily activities,” says Amanda DeLuca, a certified pediatric sleep consultant and the founder and CEO of Riley, a parenting app that provides personalized, science-backed guidance for families. And it’s not just about stopping the crying either, it goes much further than that. “It’s about speaking baby’s language during those overwhelming moments when nothing else seems to work,” adds DeLuca.

Breaking Down the 5 S’s

During the fourth trimester, newborns are still adjusting to life, and the outside world can feel very harsh. DeLuca says that the 5 S’s draw from both scientific understanding of infant neurology and time-tested cultural practices from around the world. Here’s an in-depth look at what each of the 5 S’s does and how to try it out for yourself and baby.

Swaddling

We don’t just put baby in a burrito for cuteness factor; there’s science behind swaddling. “Swaddling works because it prevents the startle reflex (also called the Moro Reflex) from waking babies and provides the boundary sensation they knew in utero,” explains DeLuca.

If baby is fussing, lay a thin blanket down oriented like a diamond and fold the top corner down. Take baby and lay them face up on the blanket with their head just over the fold so their shoulders are in line with the blanket’s top. Keep baby’s arms at their sides while you wrap one side corner across baby’s body and tuck it under their body. Then, bring the bottom corner up and tuck it under their shoulder. Finally, wrap the last side corner across baby’s body and tuck it under them. A swaddle should be snug but not tight, offering baby gentle restriction and a feeling of safety.

Side or stomach position

This one surprised me, but it ended up being effective for my first. Holding a baby on their side or tummy is said to calm their nervous system and reduce fussiness. DeLuca shares that babies naturally spend months in these kinds of positions in the womb, so they’re used to them.

Of course, this should only be done while you’re awake and holding baby. Always put baby on their back to sleep—but for soothing them in your arms, a side or stomach position can work wonders, DeLuca adds. I personally have vivid memories of my husband standing up in front of the TV every night holding our newborn daughter sideways in his arms with her facing forward because that was the only way she’d stop crying—she loved it!

Shushing

You know that mellow sound of being underwater? It’s so peaceful and calm. Now imagine hearing that for your entire in-utero existence and then coming out into the noisy world. Babies hear gentle noises, like the whooshing of blood flow and Mom’s heartbeat on repeat, for months. “Shushing (literally making repeated ‘shhh’ noises) mimics this auditory environment, which essentially is like white noise,” says Ferry.

Basically, if baby is upset, try verbally “shushing.” Or, try using a white noise machine.

Swinging

Baby felt a lot of rhythmic movement in the womb while Mom was walking (or rather, waddling) around. Swinging and saying can also break their attention from crying. “Start out with fast short movements (kind of like shivering or bouncing up and down on the balls of your feet like you’re really anxious),” advises Ferry. Then, try adding in some rocking and swaying motions.

From a scientific standpoint, these types of motions also activate the vestibular system and trigger a calming response, notes DeLuca. (Psst: You can also mix in another one of the 5S’s and hold baby on their side or stomach while swinging them!)

Sucking

When all else fails, this is the S that always worked best for my babies. Ferry explains that the sucking motion activates baby’s nervous system and leads to the release of endorphins, which can help reduce their heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormones. I breastfed both of my babies, so I became the veritable sucking tool for my babies. But Ferry says that a pacifier (or a clean finger, in a pinch!) can also do the trick.

What to Do if the 5 S’s Aren’t Working?

First, take a breath. This can be completely overwhelming, and it’s okay to need a moment.

Next? Take a step back and run through the checklist: Is baby hungry? Wet? Overtired? Gassy? Having reflux? Is it time for a burping session? “When the 5 S’s aren’t effective, it’s often because there’s an underlying need that hasn’t been addressed,” says DeLuca. Play detective and narrow it down with the process of elimination.

You could also try a combination of the 5 S’s like swaddling, swaying and shushing all at the same time. Plus, don’t forget about another magic “S”—skin-to-skin contact between you and baby. When in doubt, strip down!

Of course, if crying is excessive and you’re concerned, call baby’s provider to get a medical opinion.

Every baby likes different things. So try one S—or try them all! “I encourage parents to trust their instincts and seek support when they need it,” says DeLuca. She adds, “Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is put baby down in a safe place and take a five-minute break to collect yourself.”