How the 9 Temperament Traits in Newborns Influence How Many of the 5 S’s They Need to Settle
Newborns are all unique, and their ability to settle and soothe varies significantly based on their temperament. According to Dr. Harvey Karp’s “Happiest Baby on the Block,” the 5 S’s—Swaddle, Side/Stomach, Shush, Swing, and Suck—are effective tools to help babies calm down. However, not all babies need the same level of support from each of the 5 S’s. The nine temperament traits in newborns provide insight into how each baby responds to these soothing techniques.
In this blog, we’ll explore how these temperament traits influence which of the 5 S’s a baby might need, and we’ll look at case studies of two babies with different temperaments who required different approaches from a sleep consultant.
The 9 Temperament Traits in Newborns
Before diving into how these traits influence the 5 S’s, let’s first break down the nine key temperament traits that every baby is born with:
- Activity Level: How active and physically energetic a baby is.
- Rhythmicity (Regularity): The regularity of their eating, sleeping, and toileting habits.
- Approach/Withdrawal: How a baby reacts to new stimuli or environments.
- Adaptability: How easily a baby adjusts to changes or transitions.
- Intensity of Reaction: The strength of a baby’s emotional responses.
- Threshold of Responsiveness: How sensitive a baby is to external stimuli, such as lights, sounds, or textures.
- Quality of Mood: Whether a baby’s mood tends to be positive or negative.
- Distractibility: How easily a baby can be distracted from their discomfort or frustration.
- Attention Span and Persistence: How long a baby stays focused on a task or remains engaged with an activity.
These traits are considered relatively fixed and can greatly affect how a baby responds to different soothing strategies, including Dr. Karp’s 5 S’s.
How Temperament Influences the 5 S’s
Each of the 5 S’s—Swaddle, Side/Stomach, Shush, Swing, and Suck—provides a different form of comfort. Depending on a baby’s temperament, some will respond more to one or two of these techniques, while others may need all five to settle.
- Active babies may need more intense movement, like the “Swing,” to match their high energy level, whereas a more low-activity baby might only need light rocking.
- Babies with high rhythmicity often respond well to routine, making the “Swaddle” and “Suck” more effective because of their calming consistency.
- A baby with low adaptability may struggle with changes, requiring multiple S’s to adjust to new environments or sleep settings.
- Those with a low threshold of responsiveness might be sensitive to external stimuli, needing “Shushing” and “Swaddling” to block out sensory overload.
- On the other hand, a baby with a positive quality of mood may only need one or two of the S’s to settle, as they’re more naturally content.
Case Study 1: Oliver – The Intense and Energetic Baby
Oliver was a two-week-old baby with an extremely high activity level and intensity of reaction. He often cried loudly when tired and had a hard time calming down on his own. His parents tried swaddling and rocking him, but these methods alone weren’t enough to soothe him effectively. As a result, they reached out to a sleep consultant for guidance.
Temperament Profile:
- Activity Level: High
- Intensity of Reaction: High
- Adaptability: Low
- Threshold of Responsiveness: Low
Oliver’s temperament indicated that he needed more support from the 5 S’s to settle, and his sleep consultant quickly recognized this. The sleep consultant started by employing all five of the S’s together, beginning with a tight swaddle to calm his active movements. Since Oliver had a high intensity of reaction, Shushing loudly in his ear was necessary to override his cries and help him focus on calming down. Additionally, swinging him with quick, rhythmic motions helped match his high energy level and reduce his discomfort.
The consultant also introduced sucking with a pacifier once Oliver was swaddled, which further helped to calm his nervous system. After a few days of this full combination of the 5 S’s, Oliver’s parents found that he began to respond faster to just the swaddle and shushing, needing fewer of the S’s as he learned to settle.
Case Study 2: Emma – The Calm but Sensitive Baby
Emma, on the other hand, had a completely different temperament. She was born with a generally positive mood, but she had a low threshold of responsiveness, meaning she became overwhelmed by bright lights, loud noises, and new environments. Unlike Oliver, she wasn’t an active baby and rarely fussed unless overstimulated. However, once she became upset, it was difficult to calm her down, and her parents found it challenging to soothe her during bedtime.
Temperament Profile:
- Activity Level: Low
- Intensity of Reaction: Low
- Threshold of Responsiveness: Low
The sleep consultant took a much gentler approach with Emma. Her low activity level meant that swinging was not necessary, as she didn’t need much movement to settle. Instead, the consultant focused on swaddling her snugly, which reduced her sensory sensitivity and helped her feel more secure. Since Emma was very sensitive to sound, shushing was done softly and only when absolutely necessary, as louder noises would startle her.
Emma’s parents also introduced Sucking with a pacifier, which became her primary calming method. The combination of swaddling and sucking was enough for her to settle, meaning she only needed two of the five S’s to achieve calm sleep. Over time, as Emma’s parents learned to keep her environment calm and quiet, they found that she responded even better to these strategies.
How the Sleep Consultant Tailored the Approach
In both cases, the sleep consultant first conducted a detailed assessment of each baby’s temperament. By understanding the babies’ activity levels, intensity of reactions, and thresholds of responsiveness, the consultant could adjust the number of S’s each baby needed. Oliver, with his high energy and intensity, needed all five S’s, while Emma, with her calm nature but sensitivity to stimuli, only needed two.
The consultant also educated the parents on recognizing their babies’ unique cues. By tuning into their babies’ individual needs, the parents became more confident in applying the appropriate strategies, reducing stress and improving their babies’ sleep quality.
Tailoring the 5 S’s to Your Baby’s Temperament
The nine temperament traits in newborns play a crucial role in determining how many of the 5 S’s a baby will need to settle. A highly active, intense baby like Oliver may require all five, while a sensitive, calm baby like Emma might only need one or two. As sleep consultants, it’s essential to consider each baby’s temperament and adjust your approach accordingly. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and by understanding these traits, you can help parents provide the individualized care their baby needs for a better night’s sleep.