self-soothe

American  

[self-sooth] / ˈsɛlfˈsuð /

verb (used without object)

1. (of an infant or child) to stop fussing or crying, especially at naptime or bedtime, without receiving comfort from a parent or other caregiver.

   Don’t expect all babies to self-soothe as readily as this little sweetheart.

2. to comfort oneself when experiencing sadness or distress.

   I need to go home and self-soothe with a comfy blanket and a large glass of wine.

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Etymology

Origin of self-soothe

First recorded in 1980–85; self- ( def. ) + soothe ( def. )

Example Sentences

Sleep training can mean slightly different things to different people, though generally it involves letting the baby cry without rocking or comforting them so that they can, ideally, learn to self-soothe.

From Slate • May 3, 2026

I was an angry child and had to self-soothe a lot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

Over the last six years of recovery, I’ve learned how to take full accountability for my own life, how to self-soothe, and how to become securely attached to myself.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

If you have the internal resources available and feel safe enough to self-soothe and stay professional, fauxitude can make you a compassionate advocate for your own inclusion.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2025

Deep breath in, slow breath out… Isn't it odd that we can self-soothe by slowing down our breathing?

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2024