You might hear “self-soothing” and picture leaving your baby to “cry it out”—but that’s not what experts recommend. Research shows that babies need our help to learn calming skills, and the CALM Baby Method offers a gentle, step-by-step way to do that. Once you’ve checked that your baby isn’t hungry, tired, wet, or in pain, you can begin using simple strategies to guide them toward calm.
The CALM Baby Method starts with the lightest touch: making eye contact, speaking softly, or placing a hand gently on your baby’s chest. Only if needed do you move up to holding, rocking, or offering a pacifier. Think of it as giving your baby small nudges toward settling, rather than jumping straight to full-on soothing. Everyday examples might look like pausing before you pick them up or softly humming while you hold them, rather than immediately bouncing or walking around.
Interestingly, research warns that doing too much too fast—like rocking, patting, bouncing, and singing all at once—can overwhelm your baby’s senses. Babies need time to process each comforting signal. Experts suggest trying one or two soothing methods for about five minutes before switching to another. This helps both you and your baby learn which calming cues work best without overstimulating them.
Why This Matters
Helping your baby build self-soothing skills isn’t just about getting them to sleep—it’s about nurturing their early emotional development. When babies learn to manage small frustrations with your support, they’re practicing the foundations of self-regulation, a skill they’ll carry into toddlerhood and beyond. For parents, it also means fewer moments of feeling stuck or unsure and more confidence in guiding your baby through tough moments.
Try This at Home
✅ Follow the CALM Baby steps: Start with simple actions—look at your baby, speak softly, place a gentle hand on their chest—and move to more active soothing only if needed.
✅ Stick with one method at a time: Try one calming technique for about five minutes before switching, so your baby has time to respond.
✅ Adjust as your baby grows: Be open to changing strategies as your baby gets bigger. What worked for a newborn (like bouncing) might not be safe or helpful for a heavier, older baby.
Source: Adapted from The CALM Baby Method: Solutions for Fussy Days and Sleepless Nights and HealthyChildren Magazine, Summer 2021 (American Academy of Pediatrics, Copyright © 2021)