Advice for New Parents: 9 Tips From Dr. Harvey Karp - Happiest Baby
Hey new parents here's some advice! Don't simply survive but thrive in parenting. Believe in yourself and you can be the parent you want to be!
calming reflex
The birth of an infant is a glorious experience, but it’s a rare parent who doesn’t have episodes of anxiety and self-doubt...especially if your new bundle has colic or simply cries more than you expected. Persistent fussing can easily cast a shadow over your confidence and make you wonder if your own fear or frustration is causing at least some of your baby’s tears. But babies are just babies! Your bub is not crying at you or because of you. They’re not mad at you. Human babies are simply born too early and need a little more womb-like care for a few months—the fourth trimester—to help make them feel safe and secure. My advice? Learn all about the 5 S’s for soothing babies, the <anchor>calming reflex</anchor>, and repeat after me: All babies cry and soothing crying can be unexpectedly hard. I’m learning.
What Is the Calming Reflex? – Happiest Baby
What Is the Calming Reflex? – Happiest Baby

[Skip to content](#MainContent)

- [![Happiest Baby logo, Home Page, Visited](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/site-logo.svg?v=84351383959251099361725915300)Happiest Baby logo, homepage.](/)

- 0

Search

- [Shop](/collections/all)  - [![SNOO <br/> Smart Sleeper](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/snoo-br-smart-sleeper.png?v=184109444290921220971725915306)SNOO Smart Sleeper![Buy](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/icon-nav-buy.png?v=129794362052128800991725915228)](/products/snoo-smart-bassinet)
  - [![SNOO <br/> Smart Sleeper](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/snoo-br-smart-sleeper.png?v=184109444290921220971725915306)SNOO Smart Sleeper![Rent](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/icon-nav-rent.png?v=108640789372606953461725915228)](/products/snoo-rental)
  - [![SNOO Accessories](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/snoo-accessories.png?v=171940649290628256021725915305)SNOO Accessories](/collections/snoo-accessories)
  - [![Sleepea <br /> Swaddles](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/sleepea-br-swaddles.png?v=32255019702149224891725915303)Sleepea Swaddles](/products/sleepea-swaddle)
  - [![White Noise](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/white-noise.png?v=67095725855997169671725915328)White Noise](/collections/white-noise)
  - [![Baby](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/baby.png?v=18502862720514066201725915039)Baby](/collections/baby)
  - [![Toddler](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/toddler.png?v=167367782178479240021725915321)Toddler](/collections/toddler)
  - [![Bundle & Save](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/bundle-save.png?v=170243991216105748991725915055)Bundle & Save](/collections/bundle-and-save-sets)
- [Registry](/pages/registry)
- [Blog](/pages/blog)  - [Pregnancy](/blogs/pregnancy)
  - [Baby](/blogs/baby)
  - [Toddler](/blogs/toddler)
  - [Parents](/blogs/parents)
  - [SNOO](/blogs/snoo)
  - [Nursery Design](/blogs/nursery-design)
  - [Sleep](/blogs/sleep)
- Reviews  - [Press](/pages/recent-press-coverage)
  - [SNOO Smart Sleeper](/pages/snooreviews)
  - [Sleepea Swaddle](/pages/sleepea-reviews)
- [Employee \
  \
  Benefits](/pages/employee-benefits)
- [Hospital \
  \
  SNOO](https://health.happiestbaby.com/)
- [FAQs](https://support.happiestbaby.com/hc/en-us)
- [Account](https://account.happiestbaby.com/)

[![Happiest Baby logo, Home Page](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/site-logo.svg?v=84351383959251099361725915300)](/)

- [Shop](/collections/all)Expandable Navigation  - [![Snoo  smart sleeper](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/snoo-br-smart-sleeper.png?v=184109444290921220971725915306)SNOO\
      \
       Smart Sleeper![Buy](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/icon-nav-buy.png?v=129794362052128800991725915228)](/products/snoo-smart-bassinet)
  - [![Snoo  smart sleeper](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/snoo-br-smart-sleeper.png?v=184109444290921220971725915306)SNOO\
    \
     Smart Sleeper![Rent](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/icon-nav-rent.png?v=108640789372606953461725915228)](/products/snoo-rental)
  - [![Snoo accessories](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/snoo-accessories.png?v=171940649290628256021725915305)SNOO Accessories](/collections/snoo-accessories)
  - [![Sleepea  swaddles](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/sleepea-br-swaddles.png?v=32255019702149224891725915303)Sleepea \
    \
     Swaddles](/products/sleepea-swaddle)
  - [![Snoobie™ smart soother](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/white-noise.png?v=67095725855997169671725915328)White NoiseCollection](/collections/white-noise)
  - [![Long-sleeve baby bodysuit](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/baby.png?v=18502862720514066201725915039)BabyCollection](/collections/baby)
  - [![Snoobear® 3-in-1 white noise lovey](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/toddler.png?v=167367782178479240021725915321)ToddlerCollection](/collections/toddler)
  - [![Bundle & save](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/bundle-save.png?v=170243991216105748991725915055)Bundle & Save](/collections/bundle-and-save-sets)
- [Registry](/pages/registry)
- [Blog](/pages/blog)Expandable Navigation  - [Pregnancy](/blogs/pregnancy)
  - [BabyCollection](/blogs/baby)
  - [ToddlerCollection](/blogs/toddler)
  - [Parents](/blogs/parents)
  - [SNOO](/blogs/snoo)
  - [Nursery Design](/blogs/nursery-design)
  - [Sleep](/blogs/sleep)
- ReviewsExpandable Navigation  - [Press](/pages/recent-press-coverage)
  - [SNOO Smart Sleeper](/pages/snooreviews)
  - [Sleepea Swaddle](/pages/sleepea-reviews)
- [Employee \
\
Benefits](/pages/employee-benefits)
- [Hospital \
\
SNOO](https://health.happiestbaby.com/)
- [FAQs](https://support.happiestbaby.com/hc/en-us)
- [Account](https://account.happiestbaby.com/)
- Search

- 0

[**The Blog**](/pages/blog)

- [Pregnancy](/blogs/pregnancy)  - [Pregnancy Weeks](/blogs/pregnancy/pregnancy-week-by-week)
  - [Baby Names](/blogs/pregnancy/best-baby-names)
- [Baby](/blogs/baby)
- [Toddler](/blogs/toddler)
- [Parents](/blogs/parents)
- [SNOO](/blogs/snoo)
- [Nursery Design](/blogs/nursery-design)
- [Sleep](/blogs/sleep)  - [Baby Sleep](https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/baby-sleep-advice)
  - [Toddler Sleep](https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/toddler/toddler-sleep-advice)
  - [White Noise](https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/white-noise)

# What Is the Calming Reflex?

![Dr. Harvey Karp](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1407/3324/users/dr-harvey-karp_80x80.jpg?v=1541609811)

By

Dr. Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP



![calming reflex](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/articles/calming_reflex_pic_resized_1x_crop_center.progressive.jpg?v=1535649918)

For thousands of years, parents and grandparents have intuitively known how to turn off their babies’ crying. But the existence of a calming reflex in babies was completely overlooked until I stumbled onto it in the mid-1990s while working with hundreds of crying babies in my practice. Here’s what you need to know:

## What is the Calming Reflex in Babies?

I was struck by the fact that [rocking](/blogs/snoo/why-rocking-bassinets-soothe-babies "rocking"), shushing, and all the well-known methods for [calming a crying baby](/blogs/baby/how-to-calm-a-crying-baby) failed to work unless they were done exactly right. Similar to the knee reflex, triggered by a precise whack of a hammer, the calming reflex kicks in with very specific actions. And when it does kick in, it acts as an off-switch for crying.

\[Read more: [Baby Reflexes](/blogs/baby/baby-reflexes)\]

The soothing sensations in the womb—and close imitations out of the womb—trigger this reflex over and over again. This innate “reset switch” is truly a baby’s (and parent’s) best friend. But I don’t believe nature created this blessed reflex to calm crying babies…I believe it evolved to soothe fussy fetuses!

You see, [early in pregnancy](/blogs/pregnancy/pregnancy-week-by-week "early in pregnancy"), a fetus flips all around like an Olympic gymnast. But in the last two months, the womb gets tighter, and flipping creates a serious risk: Your baby might end up in sideways or [breech position](/blogs/pregnancy/breech-baby "breech position"), which until very recently, meant babies would often get stuck coming down the birth canal.

Because of this, during the last months of pregnancy, babies are almost hypnotized by the rhythmic sound and motion of the womb. In fact, it’s possible that the very survival of our species was only possible because this ancient calming reflex! After all, it kept our big-brained babies perfectly positioned head down as they waited to be born!

Now that you know what the calming reflex is, learn to trigger it with [the _5 S_](/blogs/baby/the-5-s-s-for-soothing-babies) [_’s_ method for soothing babies](/blogs/baby/the-5-s-s-for-soothing-babies)!

_Looking for more sleep and calming tips for Baby? [Check this article out](/blogs/baby/baby-sleep-advice "Check this article out"), where we’ve collected some of Dr. Harvey Karp’s very best Baby sleep advice to help guide you through these early days, right here!_

## About Dr. Harvey Karp

Dr. Harvey Karp, one of America’s most trusted pediatricians, is the founder of Happiest Baby and the inventor of the groundbreaking SNOO Smart Sleeper. After years of treating patients in Los Angeles, Dr. Karp vaulted to global prominence with the release of the bestselling _Happiest Baby on the Block_ and _Happiest Toddler on the Block_. His celebrated books and videos have since become standard pediatric practice, translated into more than 20 languages and have helped millions of parents. Dr. Karp’s landmark methods, including the _5 S’s_ for soothing babies, guide parents to understand and nurture their children and relieve stressful issues, like new-parent exhaustion, infant crying, and toddler tantrums.

[View more posts tagged,\
\
soothing](/blogs/baby/tagged/soothing)


Have questions about a Happiest Baby product? Our consultants would be happy to help! [Submit your questions here.](https://support.happiestbaby.com/hc/en-us/requests/new)

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.

## Top Stories

- [![The 5 S's for Soothing Babies](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/articles/Blog-the-5Ss-for-soothing-babies_6_240x156_crop_center.jpg?v=1656085042)](/blogs/baby/the-5-s-s-for-soothing-babies)

### BABY



#### [The 5 S's for Soothing Babies](/blogs/baby/the-5-s-s-for-soothing-babies)

- [![What Is Dream Feeding? And How Do I Do It?](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/articles/Blog-what-is-a-dream-feed_4_240x156_crop_center.jpg?v=1540424337)](/blogs/baby/what-is-a-dream-feed-and-how-do-i-do-it)

### BABY



#### [What Is Dream Feeding? And How Do I Do It?](/blogs/baby/what-is-a-dream-feed-and-how-do-i-do-it)

- [![Sleep Schedule for Your Baby’s First Year](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/articles/Blog_first-year-sleep-schedule_240x156_crop_center.jpg?v=1594755812)](/blogs/baby/first-year-sleep-schedule)

### BABY



#### [Sleep Schedule for Your Baby’s First Year](/blogs/baby/first-year-sleep-schedule)

- [![There's More to Using White Noise Than You'd Think](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/articles/StripedPJ_240x156_crop_center.jpg?v=1644974035)](/blogs/baby/white-noise-for-baby-sleep)

### BABY



#### [There's More to Using White Noise Than You'd Think](/blogs/baby/white-noise-for-baby-sleep)

- [![Don't Get Blindsided by the 3-4 Month Sleep Regression](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/articles/Blog-4-month-sleep-regression_4_240x156_crop_center.jpg?v=1540415931)](/blogs/baby/4-month-sleep-regression)

### BABY



#### [Don't Get Blindsided by the 3-4 Month Sleep Regression](/blogs/baby/4-month-sleep-regression)

- [![SNOO vs. Sleep Positioners](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/articles/Snoo-vs-sleep-positioners_240x156_crop_center.jpg?v=1583536087)](/blogs/snoo/sleep-positioners-vs-snoo)

### SNOO



#### [SNOO vs. Sleep Positioners](/blogs/snoo/sleep-positioners-vs-snoo)


## Related Stories

## Share the article

- [Share via Email](mailto:?subject=What Is the Calming Reflex?&body=https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/what-is-the-calming-reflex "Share via Email")
- [Share on Pinterest](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.happiestbaby.com%2Fblogs%2Fbaby%2Fwhat-is-the-calming-reflex&description=For+thousands+of+years%2C+parents+and+grandparents%C2%A0have+intuitively+known+how+to+turn+off+their+babies%E2%80%99+crying.+But+the+existence+of... "Share on Pinterest")
- [Share on FaceBook](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?m2w&s=100&p[url]=https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/what-is-the-calming-reflex&p[title]=What+Is+the+Calming+Reflex%3F "Share on Facebook")
- [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?text=What+Is+the+Calming+Reflex%3F&url=https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/what-is-the-calming-reflex "Share on Twitter")
- [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/what-is-the-calming-reflex&title=What+Is+the+Calming+Reflex%3F&summary=For+thousands+of+years%2C+parents+and+grandparents%C2%A0have+intuitively+known+how+to+turn+off+their+babies%E2%80%99+crying.+But+the+existence+of... "Share on LinkedIn")

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.

- [SNOO Smart Sleeper](https://www.happiestbaby.com/pages/snoo)
- [The 5 S's](/blogs/baby/the-5-s-s-for-soothing-babies)
- [Mission](/pages/our-mission)
- [Founders](/pages/dr-karp)
- [Team](/pages/meet-the-team)
- [Careers](https://happiestbaby.applytojob.com/apply)
- [SNOO Safety and Security](/pages/snoo-safety-and-security)
- [SNOO User Guide](https://support.happiestbaby.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000450713-SNOO-User-Guide)

- [FDA](/pages/fda)
- [SNOO Reviews](/pages/snooreviews)
- [Press](/pages/recent-press-coverage)
- [SNOO Videos](/pages/snoo-videos)
- [Wholesale Inquiry](/pages/wholesale-inquiry)
- [Employee Benefit Program](/pages/employee-benefits)
- [For Healthcare Professionals](https://health.happiestbaby.com/)
- [Affiliates](/pages/affiliates)
- [Replacement Products](/collections/replacement-products)

- [Sustainability](/pages/sustainability)
- [Contact Us](/pages/contact-us)
- [Rental Return](https://snoo-rental.happiestbaby.com/login)
- [Product Registration](https://support.happiestbaby.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=340887)
- [Fees, Shipping & Returns](/pages/shipping-returns)
- [Refer-A-Friend](https://www.happiestbaby.com/refer-a-friend)
- [Military Discount](/pages/military)
- [Authorized Partners](/pages/authorized-partner)

- [Founders](/pages/dr-karp)
- [Mission](/pages/our-mission)
- [Team](/pages/meet-the-team)
- [Careers](https://happiestbaby.applytojob.com/apply)
- [The 5 S's](/blogs/baby/the-5-s-s-for-soothing-babies)
- [In the Press](/pages/recent-press-coverage)
- [Military Discount](/pages/military)
- [Wholesale Inquiry](/pages/wholesale-inquiry)
- [Employee Benefit Program](/pages/employee-benefits)
- [Healthcare Program](https://health.happiestbaby.com/)
- [Affiliates](/pages/affiliates)
- [Replacement Products](/collections/replacement-products)

- [FDA](/pages/fda)
- [SNOO Reviews](/pages/snooreviews)
- [Rental Return](https://snoo-rental.happiestbaby.com/login)
- [SNOO Smart Sleeper](https://www.happiestbaby.com/pages/snoo)
- [SNOO Safety and Security](/pages/snoo-safety-and-security)
- [SNOO Videos](/pages/snoo-videos)
- [Product Registration](https://support.happiestbaby.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=340887)
- [Shipping and Returns](/pages/shipping-returns)
- [Refer-A-Friend](https://referrals.happiestbaby.com)
- [SNOO User Guide](https://support.happiestbaby.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000450713-SNOO-User-Guide)
- [Contact Us](/pages/contact-us)
- [Sustainability](/pages/sustainability)

- [Facebook - Link opens in a new page](https://www.facebook.com/thehappiestbaby)
- [Twitter - Link opens in a new page](https://twitter.com/happiestbaby)
- [Pinterest - Link opens in a new page](https://www.pinterest.com/happiestbaby/)
- [Instagram - Link opens in a new page](https://www.instagram.com/happiest_baby/)
- [YouTube - Link opens in a new page](https://www.youtube.com/user/thehappiestbaby)

- Privacy Policy
- [Cookie Policy](/pages/cookie-policy)
- [Accessibility](/pages/happiest-baby-accessibility-statement)
- [Legal](/pages/legal)
- [Cookie Preferences](javascript:void(0);)

Copyright © 2024 Happiest Baby, Inc \| All Rights Reserved

All third party trademarks (including names, logos, and icons) referenced by Happiest Baby remain the property of their respective owners. Unless specifically identified as such, Happiest Baby’s use of third party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship, or endorsement between Happiest Baby and the owners of these trademarks. Any references by Happiest Baby to third party trademarks are to identify the corresponding third party goods and/or services and shall be considered nominative fair use under the trademark law.

##### You may also like

View Next

![Happiest Baby Logo](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/icon-baby-head.svg?v=125817697373557291231725915223)

You've unlocked free shipping! 🎉\*

You are $ away from free shipping!


![Icon image - Infographic of Free Shipping](//www.happiestbaby.com/cdn/shop/t/1000/assets/icon--free-shipping-truck.svg?v=118106022565326289851725915208)

[×](javascript:void(0);)

Your Cart is Empty


[Continue Shopping](/collections/all)

×

×

Final Sale


Estimated Ship Date:

**Bundle**: {item.properties.\_bundle\_name}

**Campaign Group**

{property.value}

**Promotion Group**

{property.value }

**Is Returnable?**

{property.value }

**Bundle Tags Removed?**

{property.value }

QTY: {item.quantity}


\-  -  +

×

Final Sale


Estimated Ship Date:

**Bundle**: {item.properties.\_bundle\_name}

**Campaign Group**

{property.value}

**Promotion Group**

{property.value }

**Is Returnable?**

{property.value }

**Bundle Tags Removed?**

{property.value }

QTY: {item.quantity}


\-  -  +

×

Final Sale


Estimated Ship Date:

**Bundle**: {item.properties.\_bundle\_name}

**Campaign Group**

{property.value}

**Promotion Group**

{property.value }

**Is Returnable?**

{property.value }

**Bundle Tags Removed?**

{property.value }

QTY: {item.quantity}


\-  -  +

##### You may also like

View Previous

View Next

Subtotal

Shipping, taxes, and discounts calculated at checkout

In the 48 contiguous United States, customers will be charged $59.50 + tax for the shipment of SNOO back to Happiest Baby. Added charges will apply for shipping to and from Alaska and Hawaii.

\\* An additional $185 shipping fee will be applied to SNOO purchases sent to Hawaii and Alaska.

Checkout \|