I am often asked can I take you home with us after a newborn session. But what I do is so super simple. I follow the 5 s techniques. ( check out the happiest baby on the block and Dr Karp)
So what is this magic I speak of?
the 5 s are.
- swaddling ( and yes I know you may think your baby doesn't like it they honestly if it is done well they really do)
- Ssshh (yes very loudly sometimes)
- swaying ( movement)
- side lying ( over your arm close to your body)
- suckling (fingers, pacifier or a feed)
These are simple techniques that Harvey Karp talks about in his book, The Happiest Baby on the Block . They simulate the sounds and feelings of still being in mummy's tummy which turns on what Karp calls the calming reflex. They can send a baby from crying to a calm and relaxed baby in a matter of minutes.
The 5 S's:
- Swaddling: The number one step of Calming the baby. Swaddling helps a baby feel nice and snug and stops the arms and legs from moving about causing more distress and also aids in preventing overstimulation. Remember to swaddle nice and tight the shoulders but leave the hips relaxed.
- Side/Stomach. This position also helps control the arms and legs (this helps stop the moro reflex). I often like to hold baby tummy down on my arm with his head at my hand, this also a great position for reflux or colicky babies.
- Shushing. Shush 2 to 4 inches from baby's ear, slightly behind the ear itself. Keep your shush louder than the baby's' cry Louder and I am in control the shushing is the better it is , then as the settle, you follow their cue and soften your shushing. Some babies will need continual shushing or white noise to stay asleep and pretty much all babies will sleep better with it.
- Swinging or rocking or patting and movement. Some common rhythmic movements include rocking, dancing, patting the bottom, moving backward and forwards movements of your knees while baby rests on them, pacing and bouncing Like the shushing we follow their lead at first fast and jiggly with your movement and get calmer and slower as baby calms down. Once he is calm, you may need to continue some calm movements for some time to keep baby calm. Remember to support babies head and neck small jiggly movements are fine we dont want to "shake" the baby.
- Sucking. Baby naturally like to suck, it soothes them, whether it is the bottle, breast, finger or pacifier. Sucking action will help keep a baby calm and will even cause the baby to become calmer. A relaxed calm baby will take to a pacifier or sucking much faster which is why this is the last step.
Remember to be kind to yourself, also check that all is well with the baby, if they are just not settling, refusing feeds or have a temperature seek medical advice.
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