How to Soothe a Crying Baby With the Cuddle Cure

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Dr. Harvey Karp , an infant behavioral specialist, developed this technique to help ease your baby within minutes, and allow both of you to get a good night's sleep. This 5-step method, otherwise known as the "Cuddle Cure" has been proven to work time and time again. The steps, known as the "5 S's" of infant soothing are easy to remember, and can be carried out quickly, and without a lot of fuss. They rely on the babies natural ability to soothe and calm himself, and are built around the premise that new babies often feel confused and afraid by the new conditions they are confronted with after birth. Before you begin the 5 steps it is very important to make sure that all of the baby's basic needs are met.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Swaddle the baby. Swaddling is wrapping baby tightly in a blanket, with his or her arms tucked in. Swaddling often makes babies feel more safe, and comfortable, because it imitates the "closed in" conditions of the mother's womb. To appropriately swaddle an infant, place the baby on the blanket with their head at one point. Wrap one side around the baby, pinning an arm down. Take the point below baby's feet and pull it up and tuck it into the top of the blanket point that was tightly wound around. Take the other side of the blanket and wrap it around the baby so that the baby cannot move the other arm. Many babies will fall asleep immediately upon being tightly swaddled in a blanket. If the baby continues to cry, move to the next step.

Step2

Lay the baby on his side. While your baby continues to be swaddled, turn him on the side, in your arms. Side lying must be done only while you are holding your child, and never when the child is in a crib or playpen. The act of turning your baby on his or her side also reflects conditions your child experienced in the womb. Baby feels comfortable and calming usually occurs almost instantly, when this position is used. If the baby falls asleep while you are using Step 2 place him in the crib, in the position directed by your doctor, for sleeping. Move to Step 3 only if the baby does not fall asleep, but continues to cry.

Step3

Swing the baby. A side to side swinging motion is used to help baby calm down. This motion will generally soothe and comfort a crying infant. In order for swinging to calm the baby he or she should remain swaddled. Swinging is most beneficial if done while your baby is on his side. Swinging may be done while holding baby securely in your arms, or while laying baby across your lap, holding him/her securely with both hands. The swinging motion is side to side, not up and down (bouncing is not the most soothing motion for an infant). When the baby falls asleep, place him in the crib, as directed by your physician. Move to Step 4 only if thebaby continues to cry.

Step4

Shush the baby. Shushing involves imitating noises that baby was used to in the mother's womb. Shushing can be done directly into the babies ear, and will involve making the " SHUuuSHHH " or " Whoooshh " sound, while also carrying out Steps 1 through 3. Holding the swaddled infant in your arms, while he is turned to the side, continue to swing the infant in a side to side motion. Now lean over and make the " shushhing " sound in your child's ear, in a moderate tone of voice. The sound should be made in regular intervals, approximately every few seconds, in a rythmic pattern. It is thought that this imitates the sound of mother's heartbeat in the womb. While many parents initially feel uncomfortable with this step, it is worth it to try if your child will not stop crying. Many parents who were initially hesitant about this step, found that crying babies fell asleep quickly when this sound was made rhythmically close to the infant's ear.

Step5

Allow the baby to suck. Many babies begin sucking their thumbs before they are ever born. The sucking reflex is a natural instinct that often comforts and quiets babies. If your baby is still crying after Steps 1 through 4 allow him to suck, whether it be at the breast, on a bottle or on a pacifier.