You have waited almost a year to meet your new baby.
You’ve done so much to prepare.
But now it has been a week since you’ve gotten home, and your baby won’t stop crying. You are worried, you are stressed, and you are TIRED.
You begin to doubt your ability to care for your new baby. All kinds of terrible thoughts come to mind.
” Is he getting enough milk? Why can’t she sleep? Is something wrong with my baby?”
“Is it me?”
“PLEASE HELP!”
It’s Not You, It’s Them
Just imagine…
A dark place with soft muffled sounds, where you are nourished 24/7 and never feel hunger. Floating in perfectly warm water being gently rocked and bounced to sleep.
A place where you don’t even have to take a breath to sustain your life.
Now imagine, all of this serenity abruptly ends!
You burst into a world of bright lights and strange sounds. There are cold air and scratchy clothes against your skin. You feel hungry because you have to work for nourishment and tired because you no longer have that steady. soothing rocking motion.
This is what it can feel like to your newborn.
Their whole world has changed. They are adjusting to life outside the womb. And for many babies, this adjustment period can cause stress and overstimulation.
So, what is a parent to do? How can you help soothe your baby through this transition?
Help From the 5S’s
Dr. Harvey Karp, one of America’s most-trusted pediatricians and child development experts, who is the founder and CEO of Happiest Baby Inc., and author of The Happiest Baby On The Block (book and video), developed a system for calming a crying baby called The 5 S’s.
1. The 1st S: Swaddle-Because your baby was used to the womb environment, and startle reflexes (present at birth), they struggle to settle when un-swaddled. Many new parents falsely believe their baby doesn’t like to be swaddled. But the truth is, while a baby may object to the process of being swaddled, most babies love the security of a good swaddle.
2. The 2nd S: Side or Stomach Position-While the AAP recommends back to sleep, placing your baby on their side or stomach while soothing them can help. Of course, when being put down to sleep it is important to place them on their back.
3. The 3rd S: Shush-In the womb babies are used to the constant sound of your body as your heart beats and your blood pumps. Re-creating this shushing-like sound can help when calming your baby. Use white noise rather than ocean or nature sounds and be sure it is loud enough. Your baby is used to about 50 decibels.
4. The 4th S: Swing-Remember that constant rocking? Your baby was used to you moving and therefore feeling a gentle rocking and swaying that helped them to sleep in utero. Using a swaying motion that causes a bit of a head jiggle is a key component of the 5S’s. But be sure to keep your swaying/swinging gentle.
5. The 5th S: Suck-Most newborn humans have a strong sucking reflex. It is soothing and satisfying to them. Using a pacifier is recommended for this calming process to work best, and the AAP actually suggests pacifier use in the first few months to reduce the risk of SIDS. If you are adamantly opposed to introducing a pacifier, you can use your clean finger or side of your hand to satisfy the sucking component of this calming strategy.
Like a lot of things with your new baby, the 5S’s take practice and getting used to, and work best when done correctly.
You can find more information here: The Happiest Baby
Help From a Professional
Unfortunately, your baby doesn’t come with an instruction manual, and always knowing the right thing to do is challenging, especially when there is so much conflicting information out there and your baby’s needs are ever-changing.
You Don’t Have to Do it Alone
At Orlando Doulas, we tell our clients to pick one or two trusted resources to get advice and information, and shut out everything else.
We are proud to offer the most up-to-date, evidence-based information on newborn care and safety.
Our classes teach things like the 5 S’s for comforting your baby, along with instruction on feeding, swaddling, bathing, and so much more.
If you are interested, you can see our upcoming class schedule and register here. https://orlandodoulas.com/social-distance-services
Or better yet, plan for success by hiring a postpartum doula.
With a postpartum doula, you will have a newborn care professional providing information and support in those early days and weeks at home with your new baby. Our doulas can even provide 24/7 care!
Our support will reduce stress, increase confidence, and promote your recovery from birth.
You don’t have to do it alone. Orlando Doulas is here for you.
Links and Resources:
The Happiest Baby Blog: https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/the-5-s-s-for-soothing-babies?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2PP1BRCiARIsAEqv-pStXKFYTdIbWQkekJ7jGh8kFrc6nM_bBCyt_ecy-hYRW9iSJeAE19IaAmPjEALw_wcB
Today.com/Research backs up the power of the 5S’s to soothe babies: https://www.today.com/parents/research-backs-power-5-ss-soothe-babies-717333
