I have also been trying the methods from the book, The Happiest Baby on the Block, by Dr. Harvey Karp. In this book, Dr. Karp uses the theory about the "fourth trimester." He states that babies are born "before they are ready" and therefore, to calm a crying baby, you have to create a "womblike atmosphere." He recommends the 5 S's to calm a baby. The 5 S's are:
1. Swaddling
2. Side or Stomach Position
3. Shhhh (White Noise)
4. Swinging
5. Sucking
To accomplish the 5 S's, I have been doing a lot of babywearing with the Moby wrap and swaddling. This method worked really well with my older son. Unfortunately, since we're still establishing breastfeeding, we aren't using pacifiers yet. This baby has a strong sucking need and I think until we introduce a pacifier, I will be his pacifier. The following video demonstrates the 5 S's (notice the dad is wearing the Moby wrap).
Another method that I have been reading about is the Dunstan Baby Language. With this method, it is believed that before the age of 3 months, babies will make 5 "sound reflexes." These "sound reflexes" are a baby's way of communicating. The 5 "sound reflexes" are as follows:
1. Neh - I'm hungry
2. Owh - I'm sleepy
3. Heh - I'm experiencing discomfort
4. Eairh - I have lower gas pain
5. Eh - I have (upper) gas
If you can identify the "sound reflex" you can determine what your baby needs. The following are video clips of the 5 "sound reflexes."
Does anyone else have suggestions for calming a crying baby? What has worked for you?
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