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Effects Of Vibration On Infants
Despite how cute they are, babies can be more than a little fussy at times.
A lot of parents swear by vibration as a magic method for helping with all sorts of issues throughout the day and night.
This raises the question among many curious parents about the effects on newborns and infant babies.
Some of the benefits the are claimed to come about by using vibration include:
- Falling asleep more quickly.
- Getting back to sleep faster (if using a smart bassinets that recognizes movement and turns back on when your little one moves)
- Helping to relieve gas.
- Helping your baby poop when constipated.
- Soothing, calming and helps relieve stress in babies, particularly during development leaps.
Is It Bad For Babies?
Provided you follow some simple guidelines which we’ve outlined in this article, then vibration should be perfectly safe for newborn babies and infants.
In fact, vibration can even be soothing and calming for your baby, and it may help your little one sleep better and even improve their gassiness.
Do Babies Like Vibration?
As we all know, every baby is different, so it’s impossible to say definitively whether all babies like it.
But given vibration is something that babies are familiar with – because it’s similar to what a baby experiences in the womb – there’s a good chance that your newborn baby will like it when they are exposed to this sort or movement.
A vibrating motion will typically remind a baby of mommy’s womb, which is clearly a good thing and as such, the motion should be calming and reassuring for a young baby.
Can It Help Baby Gas?
Although not scientifically-proven, many parents do indeed believe that vibration can help a baby with gas.
If your baby farts a lot then using this motion can be a good way to release the gas bubbles in their stomach and clam things down more quickly.
Some parents also believe that it can help with constipation too.
So if your little one is struggling to do a poop, you may want to introduce some vibration to see if that helps get things moving again down there.
Does Vibration Help A Baby Sleep?
Many parent swear by using vibration to help their baby fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep once down.
As we mentioned, the motion mimics the sensation of being in the womb, so it can be something that is reassuringly safe and calming for a newborn baby.
Vibrating Bassinets & Newborns
Yes, vibrating bassinets are typically safe for newborns, provided the bassinet complies with the latest CPSC regulations.
If you do use a device such as a vibrating crib or bassinet, then it’s important to follow some safety guidelines, including:
- Ensure the motion is gentle and not too rough, vigorous or fast.
- Supervise your baby when they are being vibrated, so that they are not rocked into a position other than on their back (more on this and the risks later).
- Turn the setting off once your baby falls asleep.
- Remember that if your baby is used to falling asleep using vibration, they may be fussy or take longer to sleep on occasions when you are unable to put them to sleep using it – for example when on vacation.
Does Vibration Help Prevent SIDS?
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby, which usually occurs in their sleep.
While the cause is still unfortunately unknown, experts believe there are several things parents can do to decrease the risk of SIDS, including:
- Place your baby to sleep on their back, rather than on the stomach or side.
- Keep their crib or bassinet as bare as possible (avoid a thick blankets and don’t leaves toys or loveys in the crib).
- Don’t let your little one overheat and dress them appropriately for sleep in summer and for sleep in winter.
- Sleep in the same room as your baby for at least the first 6 months.
- Breast-feed if possible.
- Offer a pacifier when sleeping.
A vibrating bassinet therefore does not help to prevent SIDS directly.
If used correctly and by following the advice above, a bassinet that vibrates should not increase the risk of SIDS, but at the same time it won’t help prevent SIDS either.
What About Vibrating Chairs & Newborns?
Vibrating chairs are considered to be safe for newborns to use.
However, as with any baby product it’s important to follow best practices.
The most important being only place the chair on the ground and on a flat surface, and never on a raised up surface like a kitchen counter or bed, as you baby may topple over and could become seriously injured if they fall from a height.
In addition, you should follow WHO guidance and ensure your baby doesn’t spend more than 1 hour in the chair – the maximum time infants under 1 should be restrained in the same position.