Welcoming a new baby is magical, but those early weeks can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re suddenly trying to figure out how to calm a newborn who seems fussy, unsettled, or difficult to soothe.
At the time of writing this blog, over the last nine years, my studio manager, Anita, and I have photographed more than 1,900 babies here in our Oakville studio. And one thing remains consistent:
👉 Every baby can be comforted… they just need the right combination of cues.
For many parents, however, those first few weeks can feel incredibly overwhelming.
In every session, we use a blend of trusted, well-known soothing methods—combined with years of hands-on experience—to help little ones feel safe, secure, and relaxed. In fact, many parents walk into our studio wondering how to calm a newborn, especially when their little one is overtired or overstimulated.
Below are the calming techniques we use daily to help settle even the fussiest babies. These are some of the most trusted methods parents use when learning how to calm a newborn at home.
How to Calm a Newborn Using the 5 S’s (Dr. Harvey Karp’s Method)
To begin, one of the most well-known soothing systems is Dr. Harvey Karp’s 5 S’s.
One of the most widely recognized newborn-calming frameworks comes from Dr. Harvey Karp, pediatrician and author of The Happiest Baby on the Block. His “5 S’s” recreate the comforting sensations babies experience in the womb.
1. Swaddle
A snug swaddle helps calm the startle reflex and makes baby feel safe and contained. We use soft, stretchy studio wraps that keep babies cozy without overheating.
All of our sessions include fully wrapped newborn setups to help your baby settle into a deeper sleep. This allows us to gently transition to unwrapped poses later on—if that is part of your package and if your little one is comfortable and ready for it.
2. Side or Stomach Hold (for soothing only)
While babies must always sleep on their backs, holding them on their side or tummy while awake can instantly reduce fussiness. Additionally, this position mimics the curled, comforting feeling babies knew before birth.
3. Shush
We use white noise machines and gentle shushing sounds to recreate the familiar “whoosh” babies heard constantly in the womb. As a result, this consistent, rhythmic noise often calms babies quickly. In our studio, one of our favourite tools for this is the Baby Shusher, which mimics a steady, soothing shushing sound that many newborns find incredibly comforting.
4. Swing
Gentle motion—never fast or jarring—helps babies feel secure. Next, we use slow, calming rocking as we move through different poses and setups.
5. Suck
Sucking is one of a newborn’s strongest natural calming tools. A pacifier or short feeding break can instantly reset and soothe a fussy baby. Finally, this step often completes the calming recipe for many little ones.
Some babies need only one of these steps; others respond best when two or three are combined. Every little one is unique.
How Baby Sound Cues Can Help Calm a Newborn
Interestingly, Priscilla Dunstan identified five instinctive sounds newborns make, each linked to a specific need.
Another fascinating approach many parents find helpful comes from Priscilla Dunstan, who introduced her “baby language” concept on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Her system suggests that newborns make five instinctive sounds, each linked to a specific need:
- “Neh” — Hungry
- “Owh” — Tired
- “Heh” — Discomfort
- “Eh” — Need to burp
- “Eairh” — Lower gas or tummy discomfort
In addition, recognizing these cues can help parents respond more effectively. While not all researchers agree on the universality of these sounds, we have found that paying attention to early cues—tiny cries, grunts, rooting, squeaks—helps us respond quickly during sessions. As a result, understanding these cues can make a big difference when figuring out how to calm a newborn based on their needs in that moment.
Watch the Original Oprah Segment
To explore this idea further, here is the original Oprah Winfrey Show segment where Priscilla Dunstan introduced her newborn sound system:
Video credit: The Oprah Winfrey Show / OWN. Shared here via YouTube embed.
How We Calm Newborns in Our Oakville Photography Sessions
In our studio, we combine several techniques to create a peaceful, womb-like environment for every baby.
Inside our Oakville newborn photography studio, we combine:
- Dr. Karp’s 5 S’s
- Dunstan-inspired sound awareness
- A warm, womb-like environment
- Soft, breathable wraps
- Calm hands + gentle transitions
- Soothing white noise
- A slow, peaceful workflow
Additionally, we pay close attention to early cues from each baby. Some babies settle instantly with a snug wrap and soft white noise. Others need a bit of gentle bouncing, a pacifier, or a feeding break. Meanwhile, we always follow baby’s needs rather than a strict posing order.
As a result, every session flows gently and naturally—creating a calm, safe experience for both baby and parents.
Final Tips on How to Calm a Newborn
Ultimately, learning how to calm a newborn can make those early weeks far less stressful.
Whether you’re preparing for your newborn session or navigating those exhausting early days at home, knowing how to calm a newborn makes everything feel a little easier. Above all, the right combination of gentle techniques can make a world of difference.
If you’re expecting and would love a peaceful, fully guided newborn photography experience, you can learn more or book your session here:
👉 https://mclellandphotography.ca
We can’t wait to welcome you and your little one.
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