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Shushing sound for babies
Updated 22 October 2026
Shushing is one of the oldest ways to calm a baby. A rhythmic shhh, shhh seems to switch off crying in many newborns. This shushing sound repeats every second and a half so you can rest your voice.
Press play
Play opens the sound masker with this mix already loaded, so you can hear it and shape it.
How to set it up
- Press Play on Shushing.
- When the baby is crying, the shush can be a little louder at first. Lower it as they calm.
- Once asleep, switch to a steadier sound like Baby sleep or Womb.
- Keep the speaker away from the baby's ear.
Why shushing works
Pediatrician Harvey Karp popularized shushing as one of his "5 S's" for calming babies: swaddle, side or stomach position (while held), shush, swing, and suck. He suggests the shush is a reminder of the womb and helps trigger a calming reflex. Many parents find it works within a minute.
Questions
Does shushing help a baby sleep?
It helps many babies calm down. For sleep itself, a steadier sound is gentler.
How loud should shushing be?
Briefly about as loud as the crying, then lower as the baby settles.