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When I became a parent, I learned that there are a lot of techniques that I can use to put my baby to sleep. Some of them included things I learned from my mother and grandmother; others were things I had read online. Mothers I met at pregnancy classes or mommy and me groups also shared their insights with me eagerly. Throughout the nine months of my pregnancy, I gathered all the information and was ready to try it on my baby (hoping that I don’t get a fusspot infant), but I had to adapt to different methods when the time came.
My baby was not an easy sleeper, and my partner and I struggled to get her to sleep. When I was discussing (read as venting) this with my best friend, she suggested that I try Dr. Karp’s 5 “S” method. Curious and eager to find anything that would work, I looked it up on the internet and learned that I had to follow a series of simple steps to get my baby to fall asleep. It worked like a charm, and I’m here to tell you all about it:
Dr. Karp’s Five S Technique
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Dr. Karp is a well-known pediatrician and one of the most trusted doctors among parents. His expertise with child care and developments makes him one of the most sought-after pediatricians in America. He has practiced pediatrics for over 25 years and is the founder and CEO of a smart-tech and parenting solutions company. Here’s what he has to say about putting your baby to sleep. Keep reading to find out:
S One: Swaddle
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Swaddling is a great technique to make babies feel snug. It mimics the feeling of being in the mother’s womb, which soothes the baby and helps them fall asleep. My daughter did not adjust to the swaddling right away. She tried to kick and wriggle herself out of the swaddle, but she started to calm down after being warmly wound like a burrito. Eventually, she began falling asleep as soon as she was swaddled.
S Two: Side/Stomach
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Babies typically love a little pressure on their stomachs, so it’s a good idea to let them sleep on their stomach and side from time to time. I would put my little one in a swaddle and then turn her to her side while falling asleep. But remember not to let your baby go into deep sleep while in this position as it could be dangerous.
S Three: Shushing
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I was surprised to learn this because I always believed that babies require a super-quiet environment to fall asleep. But I was wrong. Since babies are used to sounds in the womb, they tend to sleep calmly when they hear similar sounds. So, I would play white noise, sounds of ocean waves, or sounds that mimic the womb, and my daughter was instantly dozing off.
S Four: Swinging
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I had heard about this one from my mother and grandmother. So, it wasn’t something new, and trust me, it really does work! Hold your baby close to you and swing them from side to side. My daughter enjoyed this the most, and it made her feel calm, secure, and safe. Try it, and you won’t be disappointed — I can vouch for it!
S Five: Sucking
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No, I don’t mean that my baby fell asleep while I was breastfeeding. But non-nutritive sucking really helped. She used a pacifier for the longest time, and after she outgrew that, she got comfortable with her fingers. Some babies also like to fall asleep while breastfeeding. So, who’s to say what your little one wants unless you try it out?
Swaddle your baby, put on some shushing sounds, swing them from side to side, and you’ll already start to see a difference. Now, if you add a pacifier or any other sucking comfort to the mix, it’s just the cherry on top your baby needs to drift off into their dreamland. Try the five S method and see for yourself — it’s like a miracle!
