How to Calm Your Crying Newborn with the Shushing Technique
The “shhhhh” sound, triggers your baby’s calming reflex
|
What is the shushing technique?
It is a simple way to soothe your newborn baby. Just make a gentle but loud (level with their crying), steady "shh" sound near their ear. This sound mimics the muffled, rhythmic noises your baby heard in the womb, helping them feel calm and safe. Where does it come from?
For many generations, parents around the world have used sounds like singing, humming, or shushing to comfort babies. These sounds are similar to the noises in the womb, which helps babies feel secure. Does it work?
Yes! Research shows that babies respond positively to womb sounds. Shushing can help stop crying and make your baby feel more relaxed. |
How does it work? As shown in the image below:
- Make a soft "shh" sound close to your baby’s ear.
- Match the volume of your shh to your baby’s crying. If they are crying loudly, make your shh louder; if they are calmer, make it softer.
- Keep the sound steady and rhythmic.
- Pair it with gentle rocking, patting, or caressing their skin, to help soothe your baby even more.
Why does this work?
The sound of shushing is similar to the blood flow in the womb. When your baby hears it, they feel safe and relaxed because it reminds them of being in the womb.
The sound of shushing is similar to the blood flow in the womb. When your baby hears it, they feel safe and relaxed because it reminds them of being in the womb.
|
Scientific support:
Research shows that babies respond well to womb-like sounds and voices—these sounds can calm crying and help babies feel secure. Dr. Harvey Karp, a well-known pediatrician, highlights shushing as part of his proven method for calming babies (Karp, 2025). Studies also show that babies' brains recognize and respond positively to maternal sounds and intrauterine noises, which can reduce stress hormones and promote calmness. Our success: For over ten years, our trained health educators, who learned directly from Dr. Harvey Karp, have been teaching parents this simple technique. We have had a 100% success rate, helping parents calm their newborn babies quickly and easily. This makes shushing a low-cost, safe, and effective tool for soothing your little one. |
About the Instructor
Dr. James DeCarli, a Master Certified Health Education Specialist, has been teaching expecting and new parents this effective shushing technique for over 10 years. He incorporates this method into his mobile car seat education and installation program, helping parents learn practical, safe ways to soothe their newborn babies. With his extensive experience and hands-on approach, parents can feel confident using this simple but powerful tool to comfort their little ones.
For more information, call 323-491-6197.
Dr. James DeCarli, a Master Certified Health Education Specialist, has been teaching expecting and new parents this effective shushing technique for over 10 years. He incorporates this method into his mobile car seat education and installation program, helping parents learn practical, safe ways to soothe their newborn babies. With his extensive experience and hands-on approach, parents can feel confident using this simple but powerful tool to comfort their little ones.
For more information, call 323-491-6197.
The information provided on this webpage is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider or pediatrician before implementing any new techniques or strategies for your baby. If your baby has any health concerns or unusual symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.
References
- DeCasper, A. J., & Fifer, W. P. (1980). Of Human Bonding: Newborns Prefer their Mothers’ Voices. Science, 208(4448), 1174–1176. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1683733
- Dönmez, R. Ö., & Temel, A. B. (2019). Effect of soothing techniques on infants’ self‐regulation behaviors (sleeping, crying, feeding): A randomized controlled study. Japan Journal of Nursing Science, 16(4), 407–419. https://doi.org/10.1111/jjns.12250
- Karp, H., MD. (2015). The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer. Bantam.
- Kawakami, K., Tomonaga, M., & Suzuki, J. (2002). The calming effect of stimuli presentation on infant Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) under stress situation: A preliminary study. Primates, 43(1), 73–85
- Möller, E. L., De Vente, W., & Rodenburg, R. (2019). Infant crying and the calming response: Parental versus mechanical soothing using swaddling, sound, and movement. PLOS ONE, 14(4), e0214548.
- Webb, A. R., Heller, H. T., Benson, C. B., & Lahav, A. (2015b). Mother’s voice and heartbeat sounds elicit auditory plasticity in the human brain before full gestation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(10), 3152–3157. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1414924112
