Crying newborn? Sleep isn’t the only answer. Discover a complete toolkit of newborn soothing methods—from the 5 S’s and pacifiers to babywearing, swings, and more—so you can confidently calm your baby during those fussy awake times and witching-hour moments.
You are standing in your living room at 11 p.m. You’ve fed your baby, changed your baby, burped your baby. You’ve checked for hair tourniquets on tiny fingers and toes (yes, that’s a real thing). And your newborn is still crying.
I remember this feeling so well — that desperate, sleep-deprived scramble to figure out what in the world this baby needs. The good news? There is an entire toolkit of soothing strategies beyond just putting baby down to sleep, and once you know what’s in it, you’ll feel so much more confident in those hard moments.
This post is all about soothing your newborn while they’re awake — during that waketime portion of the eat-wake-sleep routine, after a feeding when baby is fussy, or during those witching hour windows that almost every newborn goes through. These aren’t sleep training tools. They’re comfort tools, and every parent needs them.
Why Newborns Need So Much Soothing
Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why.
Newborns have just spent nine months in the most comfortable, cozy, constantly-moving, always-warm, perpetually-noisy environment imaginable. The womb is loud (blood rushing, heartbeats, muffled voices), always moving, always snug, and dark. Then they’re born, and suddenly everything is… open. Bright. Still. Quiet. Cool.
No wonder they’re startled.
This is why so many newborn soothing techniques are essentially about recreating womb-like conditions. When you understand that, the strategies start to make a lot more intuitive sense.
The 5 S’s: The Framework That Changed Everything
If you’ve never heard of Dr. Harvey Karp’s 5 S’s from The Happiest Baby on the Block, let me introduce you to what may become your most-reached-for tool in the newborn phase. I don’t love everything he talks about, but it is helpful to be aware of these valuable methods for soothing. His methods are especially helpful if you have a baby with colic.
>>>Read: The Happiest Baby on the Block Book Review
Karp identified five specific techniques that, when used together, trigger what he calls the “calming reflex” — an actual neurological response in newborns. These work best in the first three months of life, and they work best when combined (especially the first three: swaddling, side/stomach position, and shushing together).
1. Swaddling
Swaddling is the first S and the foundation for the others. A tight swaddle mimics the snugness of the womb and prevents the Moro (startle) reflex from waking or upsetting baby. When babies feel that secure containment, it signals safe to their nervous system.
Tips for a good swaddle:
- Arms down at the sides (not across the chest) works best for most babies
- Hips should be loose — you want snug at the top, not the bottom
- Swaddle blankets with velcro (like the Velcro Swaddle wraps) are a lifesaver for first-timers who haven’t mastered the origami fold yet
I’ll be honest — with my first, I was a disaster swaddler. The nurses at the hospital made it look effortless and mine always ended up looking like a sad burrito that immediately unraveled. It took practice. Don’t give up.
>>>Read: How to Help Your Baby Sleep Better With Swaddling
2. Side/Stomach Position (for soothing only — not for sleeping)
The second S is holding baby on their side or stomach. Karp explains that this position turns off the Moro reflex and activates the calming reflex. This is a holding position, not a sleep position — always put baby on their back to sleep.
Some ways to hold baby on their side or stomach:
- Reverse breastfeeding hold: Swaddle baby, then hold them facing outward in the crook of your arm, head in your hand, bottom supported by your forearm. This is a surprisingly powerful one.
- Football hold face-down: Baby’s belly resting on your forearm, face turned to the side, legs straddling your elbow.
- Over-the-shoulder hold: Baby tummy-down across your shoulder.
3. Shushing
This one surprises a lot of people. Loud, steady shushing — louder than you think is comfortable — can calm a crying newborn remarkably fast. The womb is genuinely loud (around 80 decibels!), so a soft “shhh” doesn’t cut it. You want a sustained, consistent “shhhhhhhh” that’s at least as loud as the crying.
White noise machines, white noise apps, or even a fan running nearby can do this job for you and are especially helpful for naps and nighttime.
>>>Read: Benefits of White Noise for Baby Sleep
4. Swinging
Rhythmic motion. This is the fourth S, and it’s powerful. Karp specifies that baby needs fast, tiny movements — more like a jiggle than a rock. Think of how a baby moves in the womb while mom is walking. It’s not a slow rocking; it’s constant, small, quick movement.
Holding baby close and doing a fast, small sway or jiggle is very different from the slow rocking most of us instinctively do. Try the faster motion and see what happens.
5. Sucking
The fifth S is sucking. Sucking triggers its own calming response in newborns. This is where pacifiers, nursing for comfort, or even a clean finger can come in.
Karp recommends waiting until breastfeeding is established before introducing a pacifier (generally 2–3 weeks, or longer if you’re having any breastfeeding difficulties). He also recommends weaning the pacifier by 4–5 months, noting that stopping after 6 months is significantly harder.
One useful pacifier tip from Karp: when baby is calm and takes the paci, gently tug it (not enough to pull it out). Baby should respond by sucking harder. Do this 10–20 times — this technique helps reinforce the sucking reflex and keeps baby engaged with the pacifier.
>>>Read: Weaning from the Pacifier: When, Why, and How
Pacifiers: The Honest Pros and Cons
Since pacifiers are such a frequent topic (and a sometimes controversial one!), let me give you a straightforward breakdown.
Pros:
- Strong sucking = calming reflex activation
- Can help baby fall asleep more easily when used appropriately
- Associated with reduced SIDS risk per the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) when offered at sleep times
- Great bridge when baby is fussy but not actually hungry
Cons:
- Can become a sleep prop — if baby relies on it to fall asleep and can’t find it in the night, wake-ups multiply
- With breastfeeding, introducing too early (before milk supply and latch are established) may cause nipple confusion in some babies
- Harder to wean the longer it’s used; Karp’s 4–5 month recommendation exists for a reason
- Some babies simply don’t want them — and that’s okay too
- Can interfere with sleep
From a Babywise perspective, the key is to use pacifiers intentionally. They’re a soothing tool, not a solution to every cry. If you’re using the eat-wake-sleep routine, it’s worth being aware of whether baby is sucking for comfort vs. actual hunger. That said — in the newborn weeks especially — don’t be rigid about it. These weeks are survival mode, and a pacifier that helps a fussy newborn calm down is doing its job.
If you do routinely use a pacifier for sleep, be aware that it can often become an issue around 12 weeks old. If your pacifier-using baby suddenly starts having major sleep issues around that age, it might be a pacifier issue.
>>>Read: How Pacifiers Might Be Ruining Your Baby’s Sleep
Babywearing as a Soothing Tool
Babywearing — carrying your newborn in a wrap, ring sling, or carrier — is one of the most effective soothing tools available to you, and it’s completely compatible with Babywise.
Let me say that again, because I know there are misconceptions: babywearing does not mean you are spoiling your baby or undermining your schedule. It’s a tool, just like a swing or a swaddle.
Here’s why babywearing works so well for soothing:
- Baby hears your heartbeat (familiar and calming from the womb)
- The warmth of your body is regulating
- The gentle movement as you walk is womb-like
- Being in an upright position can help with gas and reflux discomfort
- Skin-to-skin contact releases oxytocin in both of you
When babywearing is most useful:
- During the witching hour (typically late afternoon/evening when newborns are fussiest)
- When you need your hands free but baby needs closeness
- During growth spurts when baby wants more contact
- For gassy or colicky babies who are comforted by upright positioning
>>>Read: How To Manage Baby’s Dreaded Witching Hour
Carrier types for newborns:
- Stretchy wraps (like Solly Baby or Boba Wrap) are great for tiny newborns — the fabric distributes weight evenly and keeps baby very close
- Ring slings offer quick on/off convenience
- Structured carriers with newborn inserts (like an Ergobaby or Tula) give you more back support for longer carries
A few things to know: always follow the T.I.C.K.S. rule for safe babywearing (Tight, In view, Close enough to kiss, Keeping chin off chest, Supported back). And just because baby calms beautifully in the carrier doesn’t mean you need to wear them all day — use it as a tool as needed.
Swings and Bouncers: Your Hands-Free Soothing Helpers
Oh, the swing. It was a lifesaver with one of my kids.
Swings and bouncers work because they deliver continuous motion — that fourth S — without requiring you to be in constant motion yourself. This is genuinely lifesaving when your arms are exhausted or you need five minutes to eat a meal with two hands.
Baby swings provide sustained, rhythmic swinging motion. Many babies love the side-to-side swing, while others prefer front-to-back. Some swings now offer multiple motion patterns and built-in white noise, which combines two soothing strategies at once.
Bouncers provide a gentler, more responsive motion — they bounce with baby’s movements. They’re great for babies who like some motion but aren’t super fussy, and they’re lightweight enough to move from room to room.
Important notes on swing use from a Babywise perspective:
- Swings are a soothing tool, not a sleep solution. The goal in Babywise is to help your baby learn to fall asleep independently in their own sleep space. A swing is wonderful for calming a fussy baby, but using it as the primary place for all naps long-term can work against that goal.
- That said — in the early newborn weeks when survival is the name of the game — please don’t feel guilty if baby sleeps in the swing occasionally. Many parents use a swing for a catnap here and there without it becoming a permanent habit. I also used it often with my baby with reflux. She just couldn’t always sleep lying down.
- Supervision matters. Newborns in swings should always be supervised, and their heads should not slump forward. The reclined position is best.
- Use the right speed. Some babies love the fast setting; others prefer gentle. Experiment.
Some favorites parents swear by include the SNOO (the high-end, responsive bassinet with built-in motion), the 4moms mamaRoo (multi-motion patterns), and classic Fisher-Price swings. The “best” one is the one your specific baby likes — which you sometimes can’t predict until you try it.
Other Soothing Tricks Worth Having in Your Toolkit
Beyond the big categories above, here are a few more strategies worth trying:
Warm bath. A warm bath can be incredibly calming for some newborns — the warmth and the sensation are soothing. Note: some babies hate it and cry through the whole thing. You’ll find out fast which kind you have.
Skin-to-skin contact. This isn’t just for the hospital — skin-to-skin in the early weeks can calm a fussy baby and regulate their temperature, heart rate, and breathing. Dad can do this too, and it’s a beautiful bonding tool.
Going outside. Something about fresh air and a change of environment can interrupt a crying cycle. Even a short walk in the stroller or a few minutes on the porch can help.
Car rides. The motion, the white noise of the engine, the vibration — car rides hit multiple soothing notes at once. If you’ve ever been desperate enough to drive around the neighborhood at midnight, you’re in very good company.
Infant massage. Gentle, rhythmic strokes on baby’s back, legs, and belly can be calming and also help with gas discomfort. There are wonderful YouTube tutorials for infant massage techniques.
Changing positions frequently. Sometimes a fussy baby just needs a different view or a different physical position. Try upright against your chest, then facing out, then over your shoulder. Sometimes the fifth position is the magic one.
A Note on Overstimulation
One important thing to keep in mind: sometimes babies aren’t crying because they need more — they’re crying because they’ve had too much.
Overstimulation is a real and common cause of newborn fussiness, especially toward the end of a waketime when baby is tired. Signs of overstimulation include: arching away from you, turning their head away, hiccuping, spitting up more, or glazed/unfocused eyes.
If your baby is showing overstimulation signs, the best soothing strategy is often to reduce input: dim the lights, lower your voice, stop playing or talking, swaddle, and give baby a calm, quiet environment to decompress in. Sometimes less is genuinely more.
>>>Read: How To Calm Your Overstimulated Baby
Conclusion
Here’s my honest advice: treat all of these as a toolkit, not a checklist. You don’t need to do all five S’s every single time or cycle through every soothing method in a panic. You’ll start to learn your baby’s signals and which tools click for them.
Some babies are pacifier babies from day one. Some hate them entirely. Some babies will calm instantly in a carrier; others prefer the swing. Some babies who love the fast jiggle and some babies want slow, steady rocking. Every baby tells you what they need — it just takes a little time to learn the language.
The goal in the Babywise framework is to meet baby’s needs efficiently so everyone can settle into a healthy rhythm. These soothing tools help you do exactly that. They fill the gap between feeding and sleeping with something that actually works, and they give you confidence in those hard, bleary-eyed moments when you just need to know what to do.
You’ve got this. And if it feels hard right now? That’s because it is hard. But you’re doing it anyway, and that matters.
Related Posts
- Helpful Tips to Survive the Colicky Newborn
- Four Ways to Soothe a Fussy Baby
- The Happiest Baby on the Block: Causes of Colic
- The Happiest Baby on the Block: Soothing a Fussy Baby
Valerie Plowman is the founder of Babywisemom.com and the author of multiple Babywise companion books. She’s a mom of four who has been helping parents implement the Babywise method since 2007.
