The Happiest Baby on the Block

Harvey Karp, MD

Newborns cry because they miss the womb. Swaddle, side/stomach hold, shush, swing, and suck — done together and vigorously — switch on the calming reflex.

A method for soothing crying newborns based on the idea of a "fourth trimester" — that babies are born early and calm down when the womb environment is recreated through the "5 S's."