Every parent knows the struggle of getting a newborn to sleep. It’s one of the biggest challenges of parenting, and it’s also one of the most exhausting. But what if we told you that there’s a way to get your baby to sleep in just 13 minutes? A recent study has found that a 5-minute walk followed by an 8-minute sitting period can do wonders for your little one’s sleep.
The study, which was published in Current Biology, was conducted by researchers from the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Japan. They used ECG machines to track the heart rates of infants as caregivers tried various methods to get them to fall asleep. What they found was surprising: carrying a crying baby and walking around for just 5 minutes promoted sleep. All of the babies stopped crying and had slower heart rates after the 5-minute stroll, and about half of them were asleep before hitting the 5-minute mark.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Take a 5-minute walk
When your baby is crying and can’t seem to settle down, try picking them up and taking a 5-minute walk around the house or apartment. Make sure to walk in a clear and flat indoor environment, and avoid any sudden movements or abrupt changes in direction. Support your baby’s head and keep them snug in your arms. A baby sling or carrier can also be helpful, but keep in mind that you will have to take your baby out of the contraption before transferring them into a crib or bassinet. Keep a steady walking pace, and don’t speed up or slow down significantly during the initial 5 minutes.
Step 2: Sit with your baby for 8 minutes
After the 5-minute walk, sit down with your baby for 8 minutes. This is an important step, as it allows your baby to settle down and get ready for sleep. During this time, you can talk to your baby, sing a lullaby, or simply hold them while they relax. You’ll notice that your baby’s heart rate will start to slow down during this period, which is a good sign that they are getting ready to fall asleep.
Step 3: Transfer your baby to their crib or bassinet
After the 8-minute sitting period, you can finally lay your sleeping infant into their crib or bassinet. This is the most important step, as it ensures that your baby will stay asleep for an extended period of time. The babies in the study did not wake up after the transfer to their cribs, and the parents were able to return to their beds as well.
Additional tips for success
If your baby is still crying after 5 to 10 minutes of carrying, stop walking and check their wellness. They might be uncomfortable because they need a diaper change or because they are hungry. Once you’ve rectified this, you can try the 5-minute walk method again.
It’s also important to note that walking didn’t help babies who were already calm to fall asleep. This means that the 5-minute walk is specifically designed for fussy or crying babies. Sitting and carrying crying babies did not stop them from crying, and their heart rate actually started to rise during this time.
Taking care of a baby is never easy, but with this 13-minute sleep hack, you can finally get some much-needed rest. The 5-minute walk followed by an 8-minute sitting period is an effective way to calm your baby down and get them ready for sleep. Make sure to walk in a clear and flat indoor environment, support your baby’s head, and keep a steady walking pace.
