When a newborn is crying and nothing seems to work, it helps to have a sequence to reach for. The 5 S's, developed by pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp, are five soothing steps that together recreate the snug, noisy, jiggly world of the womb — and can switch on a baby's built-in calming reflex.
They work best in the first three to four months, and they work best stacked together.
The five steps
The 5 S's, in order
- Swaddle — wrap snugly to limit the startle reflex and create a sense of security
- Side or stomach hold — hold your baby on their side or tummy in your arms (for calming only, never for sleep)
- Shush — a strong 'shhh' or white noise as loud as the crying
- Swing — tiny, fast, supported jiggles of the head and body (never shaking)
- Suck — offer a clean finger, the breast, or a pacifier to settle into a rhythm
How to use them together
The trick is to layer them. Swaddle first, then hold your baby on their side in your arms, add a loud shhhh or white noise, support their head and add tiny jiggles, and offer something to suck. Many babies who resist one or two S's settle when all five happen at once. Once calm, you can gently ease back the swing and shush.
A few safety notes
- Swaddle for hips and breathing: snug across the chest, but loose enough around the hips to kick. Never cover the face, and stop swaddling at the first sign of rolling (often 8 weeks to 4 months).
- Jiggle, never shake: the swing is a small, fast, gentle movement supporting the head — never vigorous shaking, which is dangerous.
- White noise volume and distance: loud enough to match the crying in the moment, then turned down; keep any device well away from the crib.
When crying won't settle
Even with the 5 S's, some evenings are just hard — especially during the witching hour or with colic. If your baby has been fed, changed and comforted and still cries, it's okay to lay them safely on their back in the crib and take a few minutes to breathe. Never shake a baby. Persistent, inconsolable crying — or any change that worries you — is worth a call to your doctor.
The 5 S's aren't magic, but they give you a calm, repeatable plan for the hardest moments of the early weeks — and that alone makes them worth knowing.
This is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your baby's crying or wellbeing, contact your doctor or child health nurse.