The Cuddle Cure for Crying Infants

Dr. Harvey Karp , an infant behavioral specialist, developed this reliable 5 step technique, to help ease your baby within minutes, and allow both of you to get a good nights sleep. The technique is easy to learn, and you don't need to be an infant behavioral specialist to be able to apply the steps, in order to see them work, in most cases, immediately.

Before you begin the steps below, it is important to make sure that all of the babies basic needs are met. If your baby has been fed, changed, is warm, and is not sick, but continues to cry through the night, begin by applying step 1.
Step 1

Swaddling

Swaddling involves wrapping baby tightly in a blanket, arms tucked in. Swaddling often makes babies feel more safe, and comfortable, because it imitates the "closed in" conditions of the mothers 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.

Step 2

You will move to step 2 only in the case that step 1 did not calm and quiet your baby.

Side lying

While your baby continues to be swaddled, turn him/her 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 baby falls asleep while you are using step 2 place him/her in the crib, in the position directed by your doctor, for sleeping.

Step 3

If steps 1 and 2 have not already put baby to sleep, move on to step 3.

Swing

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/her 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 baby falls asleep, place him/her in the crib, as directed by your physician.

Step 4

Shush the baby

Shushing involves imitating noises that baby was used to in the mothers womb.
Shushing can be done directly into the babies ear, and will involve making the " SHUuuSHHH " or " Whoooshh " sound, while also carrying out steps 1-3.
Holding the swaddled infant in your arms, while he/she 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 mothers 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 infants ear.

Step 5.

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 1-4 allow him/her to suck, whether it be at the breast, on a bottle or on a pacifier.

This five step method, otherwise known as the "Cuddle Cure" has proven a God send for thousands of relieved parents across the country.
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.

For more information on the "Cuddle Cure" and other helpful parenting tips for infants, parents might want to pick up a copy of Dr. Karp's book, "The Happiest Baby on The Block."