Let’s be honest: the newborn days are beautiful… and they can be absolutely brutal.
You’re recovering, adjusting, and running on fumes, all while trying to decipher why your tiny human is crying (again).

If you’ve ever stood in your living room at 3AM whispering “Why won’t you just sleep?” , you’re not alone.
And I want you to know: there are simple tools that can help.

These are the 5 “S” strategies, originally introduced by Dr. Harvey Karp in his book The Happiest Baby on the Block. I teach them to nearly every new parent I work with, because they work. They’re based on how newborns are wired and recreate the soothing sensations of the womb.

1. Swaddling

Swaddling helps calm your baby’s startle reflex and makes them feel secure, just like they did in the womb.
Key tips:

• Use a snug (but safe) swaddle that keeps the arms tucked in.
• Always place your baby on their back for sleep, even when swaddled.

Swaddling is step one in creating a calm, regulated state that sets the stage for better soothing and sleep.

2. Side or Stomach Position

While babies should always sleep on their backs, holding your baby in a side-lying or stomach-down position (like across your forearm or over your shoulder) can instantly help calm a crying spell.

This position reduces the Moro reflex (that flailing, startled feeling) and helps them feel more secure.
💡 Think of this as a holding or soothing position, not a sleep position.

3. Shushing (or White Noise)

Shhhhhh.
It’s not just a sound. It’s a superpower.

Newborns are used to the loud whooshing sounds of the womb (it’s louder in there than you think!). Recreating that noise through shushing or white noise helps activate their calming reflex.

👉 Use your voice, a shushing sound machine, or a white noise app to create that consistent soothing background sound.

4. Swinging or Gentle Motion

Movement reminds your baby of life inside the womb, where they were constantly rocked and jiggled.

Gentle, rhythmic motion (like swaying, bouncing on a yoga ball, or even using a baby swing under supervision) can be incredibly soothing.

🚨 Always make sure movement is calm and controlled. Never shake a baby.

5. Sucking

Whether it’s a pacifier, your finger, or nursing, sucking is a natural reflex that helps babies regulate and calm themselves.

Some babies respond to this immediately, and for others, it becomes helpful once they’re a bit more alert and active.
It’s not about “spoiling” a baby. It’s about meeting their need for comfort and regulation.

So, What’s the Secret?

The real power is in combining the “S” strategies.
For example:
→ Swaddle + side hold + shushing = powerful calming combo
→ Pacifier + gentle bouncing + white noise = Game changer.

You don’t need to use all five at once, but layering 2–3 can often work wonders.

Final Thoughts

The newborn days are hard, but they don’t have to feel impossible. 💗
These 5 soothing techniques aren’t magic, but they’re grounded in science and built to work with your baby’s biology, not against it.

And remember: if you’re trying these strategies and still feel overwhelmed, that doesn’t mean you’re failing. You’re learning. Your baby is learning. And support is always available when you need it.

💜 If you want more personalized support with sleep, soothing, or setting up healthy habits from day one, click here to schedule a free newborn sleep assessment. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.