How to Soothe a Crying Newborn: 10 Proven Techniques

Few experiences test new parents more than a crying newborn they cannot console. Every wail triggers a primal response — the urgent need to make it stop, combined with the anxiety of not knowing what's wrong.

Here's what actually works — and the reassurance that you're not doing anything wrong.

First: Rule Out the Basics

Before reaching for calming techniques, work through the common causes:

Hungry? When did they last feed? Is it time for another feed?
Wind? Try burping even if you already tried — sometimes it takes a while for wind to shift
Nappy? Check and change
Temperature? Too hot or too cold? (Feel the back of their neck — should feel warm, not sweaty or cold)
Overtired? How long have they been awake? Watch for yawning or eye rubbing
Overstimulated? Too much noise, light, or activity?
Needs contact? Sometimes babies simply need holding

If none of the above apply, try the calming techniques below.

The 5 S's: Dr Harvey Karp's System

Dr Harvey Karp developed the 5 S's based on the concept of recreating the womb environment. Used together and in sequence, they're highly effective for calming even persistent criers.

1. Swaddle

Wrap your baby snugly with arms at their sides (or hands near face — some babies prefer this). The snug containment recreates the tight environment of the womb and reduces the startle reflex that wakes and upsets babies.

How to swaddle safely:

Use a large, thin muslin or purpose-made swaddle wrap
Arms can be inside or with hands near face
Hips must be able to flex — don't wrap legs straight and tight (risk of hip dysplasia)
Stop swaddling when baby shows signs of rolling

2. Side/Stomach Position

Hold your swaddled baby on their side or stomach — across your forearm, stomach-down. This position is calming because:

Side/stomach activates the calming reflex
It relieves wind pressure
Your arm supports their whole body

Important: This position is for calming only. Always put baby on their back to sleep.

3. Shush

Make a loud "shhhh" sound directly near their ear. It needs to be as loud as their crying — a quiet shush won't cut through. The "sh" sound resembles the loud rushing sound of blood through the placenta that babies heard constantly in the womb.

Alternatively, use white noise — a dedicated machine, a fan, or white noise through a speaker. Set it at around 65–70 decibels (roughly the level of a shower).

4. Swing (Jiggle)

Gentle, small, fast movements — like jigging rather than rocking. The movement needs to be slightly faster than you'd intuitively think. Smooth, slow rocking is less effective than the jiggy motion that mimics how a baby experienced movement in the womb (walking, exercise).

Always support the head. Never shake a baby.

5. Suck

A dummy (pacifier), a clean finger, or returning to feeding. Sucking activates the sucking reflex and is deeply calming.

Beyond the 5 S's: More Techniques That Work

Skin-to-Skin Contact

Holding your baby skin-to-skin against your bare chest is powerfully calming. It:

Regulates their temperature
Stabilises heart rate and breathing
Reduces cortisol (stress hormone)
Promotes bonding

Works for both mothers and fathers/partners.

Movement

Many babies calm during movement:

Pram or pushchair walk (the combination of motion and outdoors is effective)
Car journey (the vibration and motion are very calming — though this can become a problematic habit if overdone)
Baby carrier or sling — keeping baby close while you move freely
Bouncing on a gym ball while holding baby

Change of Environment

Sometimes a change of scenery breaks the crying cycle:

Step outside with baby (fresh air and change of light)
Move to a different room
Turn on a gentle fan (white noise + air movement)
Turn on running water (the sound often helps)

Bath

A warm bath can interrupt crying, especially if baby is overtired or overstimulated. The sensory input seems to reset the nervous system for some babies.

Contact and Face-to-Face

Your face is the most interesting thing in your baby's world. Get close — 8–12 inches — make eye contact and use an animated, musical voice. Sometimes the direct connection is all they need.

Colic: When Nothing Works

Colic is typically defined as crying for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks, in an otherwise healthy baby. It affects approximately 20% of babies and usually peaks around 6 weeks before gradually improving by 3–4 months.

What we know about colic:

The cause is not fully understood
It's not caused by bad parenting
Most commonly peaks in the evening ("witching hour")
It resolves on its own

What may help:

Gripe water (limited evidence but safe to try)
Probiotic drops containing L. reuteri (some research supports this for breastfed babies)
Checking for oversupply if breastfeeding
Simethicone drops (Infacol) — mixed evidence but widely used

What doesn't help: Formula switching, eliminating foods from your diet (unless a specific allergy is suspected), or cereal in the bottle.

If your baby has colic, the most important thing is to take breaks. Put the baby down safely and take 5 minutes. Ask for help. Accept all offers. This too will pass.

When Crying Is a Sign of Something More

Contact your doctor if your baby:

Has a high-pitched, unusual cry unlike their normal cry
Has a fever (over 38°C/100.4°F) — this is an emergency in a baby under 3 months
Cries consistently after feeding (possible reflux)
Is inconsolable for 2+ hours despite all efforts
Shows signs of discomfort when legs are moved
Has blood in their nappy

Trust your instincts. The Symptom Checker can help you assess symptoms, but never hesitate to call your midwife, health visitor, or doctor when you're genuinely concerned.

Taking Care of Yourself

Persistent crying is one of the most common triggers for postpartum depression and parental overwhelm. If you feel yourself reaching a breaking point:

Put baby down safely in their crib and step away for 5 minutes
Call someone — anyone
Tell your health visitor or doctor how you're coping

You are not alone. This is one of the hardest parts of early parenthood, and it does get better.

📋 SOURCES & FACT-CHECKING
This article is compiled and verified against these authoritative sources: - CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) - WHO (World Health Organization) - ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - NHS (National Health Service) - AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Last verified: June 2026
Educational content only. Always consult your pediatrician for medical decisions.