A recent study published in Current Biology has introduced a new strategy aimed at increasing the chances of calming crying infants.
Led by Kumi Kuroda, PhD, a researcher at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Japan, the study investigates how crying infants react physiologically when they are held, carried, or set down.
The research team identified what they term the “transport response,” a set of physiological reactions that seems to help soothe infants and lower their heart rates. This mechanism can be effectively applied during the transition to a crib or bassinet.
You’re likely aware of how challenging “the transfer” can be—rocking your baby to sleep, only for them to wake up as soon as you lay them down, often resulting in a wail!
Using ECG machines and video recordings, the researchers analyzed changes in infants’ heart rates during various soothing activities like carrying them, pushing strollers, and sitting with them. They collected data to discern patterns.
Effective Techniques for Soothing Babies
What did the study reveal as the most effective approach? A five-minute walk significantly facilitated the calming process for crying infants. Every baby stopped crying and showed lowered heart rates after the brief stroll, with approximately half falling asleep before the five minutes were up. However, walking proved ineffective for infants who were already calm.
Conversely, sitting and holding crying babies without walking did not help soothe them; rather, their heart rates tended to increase alongside persistent crying. The caregivers noted that if their movement changed or ceased altogether, the babies’ heart rates rose, especially when separated from the adult. This highlights the struggles involved in “the transfer.”
However, if parents remained seated with the baby for a short period following the walk, the rate of successful transfers to the cot improved significantly.
Recommended Steps for Calming Infants
When your baby is uneasy and struggling to fall asleep, Dr. Kuroda advises caregivers to carry them while walking for about five minutes in a smooth manner. Then, sit with the baby for eight minutes before laying them down. This full 13-minute strategy was shown to be the most effective for encouraging baby sleep during the study.
Dr. Kuroda also shared these additional tips with Motherly:
– Utilize a smooth, flat indoor space for walking.
– Securely support the baby’s head while holding them; a sling or carrier can help (though a transfer to the crib will still be necessary).
– Maintain a steady walking pace.
– Avoid any running or hopping.
– If the baby continues to cry after 5 to 10 minutes of being carried, pause to check on their comfort.
Understanding Soothing Efficacy
Patti Read, a pediatric sleep consultant from New Jersey who was not involved in the research, encourages caregivers to try these suggestions.
“If something doesn’t seem to work, don’t become discouraged,” Read reminds, highlighting the difficulties babies face when attempting to sleep.
The study focused on infants up to seven months old, involving just 21 babies, she notes.
After approximately four months, infants ideally should not be placed into their crib fully asleep; they should be drowsy but still awake to begin learning self-soothing skills. This understanding promotes independent sleep habits.
“If a baby cannot drift off alone, they will depend on a parent’s assistance to walk and soothe them each time they wake,” Read stresses.
She also acknowledges the insight of renowned pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp, whose “five Ss” closely align with Dr. Kuroda’s recommendations.
“There is much we understand about soothing babies; however, numerous factors influence their developing bodies, and each baby is unique, which means approaches will never be uniform for all,” Read reflects.
“Since babies are unable to express their feelings or comprehend language, teaching them to fall asleep independently remains challenging,” she adds.
Ongoing Exploration of Baby Sleep
Dr. Kuroda indicates that further research is necessary to confirm these findings. The study does not explain why some infants cry persistently or experience sleep difficulties, as acknowledged by the authors. They plan to develop a wearable device that allows parents to monitor their babies’ physiological states via smartphone in real time.
“Just like science-based fitness training, we can embrace science-based parenting with these innovations to potentially help babies sleep better and alleviate the stress parents face due to excessive infant crying,” Dr. Kuroda stated.
He also noted that the study’s results are limited as they only measured daytime activities and did not assess infant responses during nighttime or overnight.
“I cannot definitively say whether the heart rate metrics are sufficiently reliable,” cautions Heidi Holvoet, PhD, a baby sleep consultant from Belgium and founder of Baby Sleep Advice.
While heart rates may reflect a baby’s state post-soothing, the specific sleep phase they are in ultimately influences their ability to remain asleep.
Holvoet raises concerns about the method’s accuracy across different infants and age groups, a subject Dr. Kuroda intends to explore further.
“We lack a universal and mathematically reliable method for getting babies to sleep, but I don’t believe that’s essential,” Dr. Holvoet states.
“I feel we possess enough knowledge to support babies in achieving restful sleep by understanding their development and unique needs at each stage,” she adds.
As a parent of a child who has often struggled with sleep (who woke me at 4:15 a.m. today—who’s counting?), I can attest that while this is one study, it’s crucial not to fret if these methods don’t suit your situation. There are many other studies and resources available to help you find the best approach for your baby. Ultimately, what works will differ from child to child, and that’s perfectly acceptable.
Image Source: Unsplash
