Calming a crying baby
The 5 S's, and never shake
About 10 min Essential
Why it matters
Even healthy babies can cry 1-2 hours a day, and crying often increases in the first weeks. Staying calm and knowing a routine to try helps both of you.
What you need
- A thin swaddle blanket
- Optional: a pacifier
- White noise (a shushing sound)
- Patience, and a helper if you need one
Step by step
- 1 Basics first: are they hungry, wet, too cold or too warm, or gassy?
- 2 Swaddle: wrap in a thin blanket without squeezing the hips (see Swaddling).
- 3 Side or stomach hold: hold your baby on their side or tummy-down along your forearm. Only in your arms and while awake; for sleep, always on the back.
- 4 Shush: a steady "shhh" or white noise close to their ear, about as loud as the crying.
- 5 Swing: small, rhythmic, gentle movements while supporting the head, like rocking a cradle. This is not shaking.
- 6 Suck: a pacifier or the breast; sucking is soothing.
- 7 If you feel yourself losing it: put your baby safely on their back in the crib, leave the room, breathe for 10-15 minutes and call someone. Go back when you are calm.
- 8 NEVER SHAKE A BABY. Even a few seconds of shaking can cause permanent brain damage or death (shaken baby syndrome).
Common mistakes
- Continuing to hold your baby while you are angry.
- Rocking fast or roughly.
- Putting a baby who fell asleep in the side hold down that way.
- Feeding at every cry and overfeeding.
When to see a doctor
- A fever (under 3 months, 38 °C or higher is an emergency).
- An unusually high-pitched cry, or moaning.
- Not feeding, vomiting, floppy or hard to wake.
- Seizures, turning blue, trouble breathing or a rash that doesn't fade when pressed: call 112 right away.
- Nothing settles them for hours: call your doctor.
This guide gives general information and doesn't replace a medical exam. If you're worried about your baby, talk to your doctor.