Soothing
Soothing a newborn, step by step
Crying is communication, not a verdict on you. Work a consistent sequence, give each step a real chance, and read hunger versus tiredness versus discomfort.
Cue check
Illustrated frame placeholder
Hunger, tiredness and discomfort look different.
Transcript and media source
Full transcript available. Placeholder media for the prototype; production media is sourced only from hospitals, university medical centers, government health agencies, professional medical organizations and certified lactation professionals.
Reviewing clinician: R. Okafor, MSN, RN · Reviewed 2026-05-14 · Captions available
Supplies needed
- ·Swaddle blanket or sack
- ·White noise
- ·Pacifier (if feeding is established)
- ·A dim room
- ·Your bare chest for skin-to-skin
Safety warnings
- Never shake a baby. If you feel your temper rising, put the baby down safely in the bassinet and step away for a few minutes.
- Return the baby to a firm flat surface on their back for sleep, alone, with no loose bedding.
- Do not fall asleep holding the baby on a sofa or armchair.
Step by step
- 1Run the checklist: hungry, wet, too warm or cold, uncomfortable position, needing to burp.
- 2Reading cues: rooting and hand-to-mouth means hunger; yawning, glazed staring and turning away means tired; arching, pulling legs up and straining suggests discomfort.
- 3Swaddle or contain the arms, then hold the baby on their side or stomach across your forearm while awake and in your hands.
- 4Add rhythmic motion: slow sway, gentle jiggle, a walk. Keep it steady and boring rather than energetic.
- 5Add continuous white noise at about the loudness of a shower, placed away from the head.
- 6Offer a pacifier or a clean finger to suck if feeding is going well.
- 7Skin-to-skin: baby in only a diaper against your bare chest, blanket over both of you.
- 8Lower stimulation: dim the lights, stop talking, stop bouncing between strategies. Give each one a full 15 to 20 minutes.
- 9Transition to the bassinet drowsy but awake when you can: lower feet first, keep a hand on the chest for 30 seconds, then release slowly.
Common mistakes
- Switching techniques every two minutes
- Escalating the vigour of bouncing
- Bright lights and conversation during night soothing
- Sleeping with the baby on a sofa
How do I know I am doing this correctly?
- Crying tapers rather than stops instantly
- The baby's hands unclench and limbs soften
- You stay calm, and step away if you cannot
When to stop and seek help
- · Inconsolable crying for over 2 hours, or a weak, high-pitched or moaning cry
- · Crying with fever, poor feeding, fewer wet diapers, or a limp or unusually sleepy baby
- · You feel out of control or frightened by your own anger: put the baby down and call for help now
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.
Finish this tutorial
How confident do you feel doing this on your own?
Clinical review
- Author
- Partnered Postpartum clinical content team
- Reviewer
- M. Chen, MD · Pediatrician
- Reviewed
- 2026-05-14
- Next review
- 2027-05-14
- Version
- 1.2
- Applies to
- United States and Canada
Evidence sources
- · American Academy of Pediatrics, Caring for Your Baby and Young Child
- · AWHONN postpartum and newborn care standards
- · NHS newborn care guidance
Version history
- · 1.0 initial publication
- · 1.1 cord-care wording aligned to AAP
- · 1.2 added safety-check steps
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.