THE SECRET OF THE FIVE SS:

SWADDLE

Swaddling is thought to recreate the snug packaging inside the womb and is the cornerstone of calming. It decreases startling and increases sleep. Wrapped babies respond faster to the other four Ss and stay soothed longer because their arms can’t wriggle around. To swaddle correctly, wrap arms snugly – straight at the side – but let the hips be loose and flexed. Use a square blanket, but don’t overheat, cover your baby’s head or allow unravelling. Babies should not be swaddled all day, just during fussing and sleep. Some babies hate swaddling, so learn about yours and do it if it works.

SIDE OR STOMACH POSITION

On the back is the only safe position for sleeping to minimise the risk of cot death, but it’s the worst position for calming fussiness. This S can be activated by holding a baby on her side, on her stomach or over your shoulder. You should see baby settle in no time.

SHUSH

Babies don’t need silence to sleep. In the womb, the sound of the blood flow is louder than a vacuum cleaner! But not all white noise is created equal. Fans and ocean sounds often fail because they lack the womb’s rumbly quality. The best way to imitate these sounds is white noise.

SWING

Life in the womb is very jiggly. (Imagine baby bopping around in your belly when you jaunt down the stairs). While slow rocking is fine for keeping quiet babies calm, you need to use fast, tiny motions to soothe a crying infant mid-scream. Always support the head and neck, keep your motions small and only move back and forth about an inch. (Never, ever shake your baby in anger or frustration).

SUCK

Sucking is the icing on the cake of calming. Many fussy babies relax into a deep tranquillity when they suck. Many babies calm easier with a dummy.