Hush little baby

Ever heard of the five Ss? It’s a method developed by an American paediatrician to help settle a crying baby. The secret of the technique is to make baby feel like she is safely nestled in the womb. Shanda Luyt tells us how

YOUR BABY’S CRIES are her way of communicating with you. It is the only way she knows how to tell you that something is wrong. Acting on or responding to your baby’s cries comes instinctively. It is something that very few people can ignore.

During her first six months your baby will not cry as a means to manipulate you, even though sometimes it may feel that way. Her crying is a reflex reaction that is crucial to her survival. You cannot spoil your baby by reacting to her cries. In fact, it is important that you do react when she cries as this forges a relationship of trust between the two of you, and teaches her that you mean safety.

WHY IS SHE CRYING?

Hungry? If she opens her little mouth gesturing that she wants to be fed and she turns her head looking for your breast, more often than not she is hungry. Gently stroke her cheek to see if she quickly turns to look for your finger. Check to see when her last feeding was.

Does she need a nappy change? Some children are super sensitive to a wet or dirty nappy. While one child is okay being in a wet happy for hours without complaint, another will protest within minutes. Always check her nappy, even if you did just change it ten minutes ago.

Winds? Winds can make your baby feel extremely uncomfortable, especially after a feeding. Place her against your shoulder and gently rub her back to get rid of those pesky winds.

Is she too hot or too cold? Touch your baby’s neck to check her temperature, not her feet. She is not supposed to sweat. Always have an extra blanket or an extra set of clothes on hand.

Seeking attention? In the womb your baby got used to having your undivided attention. It is not always possible to carry your baby close to you 24/7, but sometimes all she needs is a little extra attention to calm her down. Overstimulated or too tired? She turns her head from side to side or she stares straight ahead with heavy eyelids but refuses to sleep.

Sick or in pain? Measure her temperature and check for other signs of why she could be fussy. If you are worried about anything, consult your doctor immediately.

RED LIGHT

A lot of mothers with difficult, crying babies feel that they cannot cope and that they are at breaking point. Give yourself a break. Lay your baby down in a safe place when she starts crying and get a breath of fresh air. Ask your husband or partner, a family member or a friend to watch her while you rest. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

One out of five babies have crying fits for no good reason, says American paediatrician Dr Harvey Karp, in his book The Happiest Baby on the Block. Karp believes that the trick lies in mimicking how things were in the womb. In the womb your baby is safely nestled. She experiences constant movement (as you move around) and she hears sounds, like the sound of the blood gushing through your veins (imagine what you hear when you have your head under water). YB

SOMETIMES ALL SHE NEEDS IS A LITTLE EXTRA ATTENTION TO CALM HER DOWN