Are you a parent and you don't know what to do to calm your baby's crying?

Researchers could be your saviors by scientifically determining which of four commonly used methods is most effective in soothing an infant who won't sleep.

According to their study published Tuesday in the journal

Current Biology

, walking for five minutes while carrying a baby in your arms can do wonders.

But before putting the child back in bed, scientists recommend keeping him still with you for another five to eight minutes.

Lower heart rate

The team of researchers had in the past studied a similar mechanism in animals: when the little ones (dogs, monkeys, etc.) have to be transported, for example to escape a threat, their heart rate tends to drop and they become more docile.

To compare a possible similar reaction in humans, the scientists studied 21 babies between zero and seven months, with their mother.

Four techniques were analysed: carrying the infant while walking, carrying it while sitting, laying it down in a bed, or laying it down in a moving cradle.

When babies were carried while walking, their heart rates dropped within 30 seconds, just like in a rocking crib.

But not when they stood still.

Keep baby on you once asleep

All the children who were carried around in the arms all stopped crying after five minutes.

And almost half of them fell asleep.

But once rested in their bed, the babies tended to wake up, within 20 seconds for more than a third of them.

And the way they were deposited - posture or delicacy of movement - had no impact on this effect.

The solution according to the scientists: prolong the time during which the baby is asleep before resting him, by sitting down and keeping him close to you for five to eight minutes after walking.

This period more or less corresponds to the duration of the first phase of sleep, then still light, notes the study.

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