Ever wonder why babies immediately relax when rocked? It's not merely a trick to comfort infants, it's science! From womb to crib, gentle motion calms their nervous system, enhances sleep, and even helps digestion. As a parent, you quickly understand that sleep is one of the most precious presents for you and your baby. Yet, getting a little one to fall and remain asleep is more often easier said than done. One of the oldest and most effective techniques for soothing infants is rocking—a motion that has been used across generations and cultures. But why do babies and young children find such deep comfort in being rocked? The answer lies in biology, neuroscience, and a bit of evolutionary instinct.

Since the earliest days of life, infants are subject to continuous motion. Within the womb, the subtle swaying brought about by a mother's movement creates a rhythmic and calming atmosphere for a growing fetus. This is mostly because of the natural respiratory movements of the mother, as the diaphragm contracts and relaxes, subtly moving the baby in a rocking motion.

This prenatal rocking is an important aspect of fetal development, regulating the nervous system of the baby and soothing his or her nerves. After birth, this familiar feeling does not go away. Instead, it remains a serious source of security and comfort. For this reason, babies tend to react so favorably when they are rocked back and forth in their parent's arms, swayed in a baby hammock, or bounced up and down in a cradle.

How Does Rocking Impact Baby's Brain?

Studies revealed that movement engages the vestibular system, one tasked with equilibrium and spatial perception. When being rocked, such a system gets triggered, resulting in signals reaching the brain to facilitate relaxation and sleepiness. Gently rocking babies has also been discovered to alter brain waves such that it copies the initiation stages of slumber, simplifying the act for babies.

In addition to putting babies to sleep, rocking activates the parasympathetic nervous system—the division of the nervous system that supports rest, digestion, and relaxation. This has the effect of decreasing stress hormones like cortisol while stimulating the production of calming neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. The end result? A quieter, happier baby who is better able to sleep through the night.

Benefits of Rocking for Infant's Sleep and Development

Rocking is not merely for assisting babies to sleep; it is beneficial in numerous other ways that support general well-being. Among the major benefits are:

1. Better Quality of Sleep

The rhythmical movement of rocking facilitates infants to move to a deeper sleep state. It is especially useful for newborns and infants, who spend a large part of their sleep phase in light sleep stages. Through deeper sleep, infants wake up less often and have more restful nights.

2. Minimized Sleep Disturbances

Because rocking emulates the feel of being inside the womb, it provides a soothing and safe place. It limits sleep interruption and facilitates it is simpler for infants to get across sleep patterns without waking altogether.

3. Improved Digestion and Relieved Colic

Several parents attribute their use of rocking to be the best colic soother, and research supports them. Gentle motion gets the digestive system going and keeps gas from accumulating, making digestion easier for the baby. It can be particularly helpful for babies with reflux or digestive upset.

4. Lower Stress and Anxiety

Rocking gives a soothing, rhythmic experience that facilitates babies in self-regulating their feelings. By lowering the levels of stress hormones and inducing relaxation, rocking makes babies feel secure, safe, and peaceful—a very important factor in healthy emotional growth.

Why Rocking Comforts Older Children Too

Although the requirement for constant rocking will lessen as a child becomes older, a lot of toddlers and even bigger children prefer soft motion. That is why rocking chairs, swings, and even slumbering car rides can be soothing to small children.

For kids with sensory sensitivities or neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, rocking may be especially helpful. The repetitive action aids in regulating sensory input, allowing a feeling of control and calm in potentially overwhelming settings.

Best Methods to Incorporate Rocking into Your Child's Daily Life

If you wish to benefit the most from rocking for your infant or young child, the following are some efficient methods to help include it as part of your day-to-day routine:

Baby Hammocks & Swings: These swing gently to imitate the comfortable motion of lying in the womb, and they are great resources for calming your baby and sending them off to sleep.

Rocking in Your Arms: Simply rocking your baby in your arms is the easiest and most comfortable method of calming them.

Rocking Chairs & Gliders: Ideal for reading bedtime stories or cuddles before a nap, rocking chairs offer comfort to both parent and child.

Babywearing: Carrying your baby in a sling or carrier while moving naturally throughout the day offers a continuous and comforting rocking motion.

There is a reason that rocking has endured as one of the most reliable ways to calm babies and toddlers. It acts on ancient biological impulses, activates the nervous system in a soothing manner, and offers several developmental advantages. Whether in a parent's arms, a crib, or a rocking chair, soft motion is an elemental and powerful source of solace for children everywhere.

Anyone below the age of 16 in Australia is now banned from using social media services. These platforms include TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Threads. The law now says that anyone under 16 cannot make new social media accounts and their existing accounts will be deactivated. This is the first of its kind banned and is also being watched by other countries.

What Is The Reason Behind The Under-16 Social Media Ban?

To protect the mental health of children is the main reason behind the ban. Furthermore, the government says that it will also reduce the negative impact of social media's "design features that encourage [young people] to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing". A government study which was commissioned in 2025 found that 96% of children aged 10 to 15 used social media, and that seven out of 10 of them were exposed to harmful content. These content were misogynistic and violent in its nature, furthermore, content promoted eating disorders and suicide.

Read: AI Therapy Gone Wrong: Psychiatrist Reveals How Chatbots Are Failing Vulnerable Teens

1 in 7 also reported experiencing grooming-type behavior from adults or older children. More than half said that they were also victim of cyberbullying. The ban right now expands over platforms and apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, and streaming platforms Kick and Twitch.

The government laid down three categories, under which the ban has been considered for the apps, these criteria are:

• whether the platform’s primary or substantial purpose is to enable online social interaction between two or more users
• whether users can interact with some or all other users on the platform
• whether users are able to post or share content

YouTube Kids, Google Classroom and WhatsApp are not covered under this rule as they do not fit those criteria. While anyone under 16 will be still able to watch most of the content without logging in, however, they cannot have an account on it. Critics are urging the government to widen the ban to include online gaming platforms such as Roblox and Discord, which are currently not covered.

Also Read: Why Social Media Trends Could Be Detrimental To Your Health?

Are There Any Checks And Balances On The Ban?

The law notes that children and parents will not be punished for infringing the ban, instead, social media companies will face fines of up to A$49.5m, which is equivalent of US$32m for serious or repeated breaches. The government has said that these companies must take 'reasonable steps' to keep kids off the platforms. These 'reasonable steps' include asking for government IDs, face or voice, or "age interference" that analyzes online behavior and interactions to estimate a person's age. Platforms have been advised against relying on users self-certifying or parents vouching for their children. Meta, which own Facebook, Instagram and Threads have started to close teen accounts from December 4 onwards. Snapchat will also be using bank account, photo ID or selfies for verification.

However, government reports have found facial assessment technology to be least reliable for teenagers. Some critics have also raised their concerns on potential fines. Some have also pointed out other platforms which involves gaming platforms, or AI chatbots that have encouraged children to kill themselves and indulged in 'sensual' conversations with minors.

For generations, childbirth has been closely tied to a certain visual and emotional script. Bright lights, clinical beds, beeping monitors, and an air of urgency have long defined labor rooms. Today, that script is being rewritten. Across hospitals and birthing centers, childbirth is undergoing a quiet but powerful aesthetic shift, one that places calm, comfort, and emotional safety at the center of the experience.

At the heart of this transformation is the growing popularity of warm water births and thoughtfully designed birthing spaces. As Dr. Preety Aggarwal, Medical Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Motherhood Hospitals, Gurugram explains, “From harsh hospital lights to calm, spa-like spaces, childbirth is being reimagined as a peaceful, deeply personal experience wherein tranquility takes center stage over tension.” What once felt intimidating is increasingly being shaped to feel intimate and reassuring.

From Medical Event to Life Experience

Childbirth has always been transformative, but for decades, the setting often heightened fear rather than eased it. Labor rooms were designed primarily for efficiency and medical control, not for emotional comfort. That approach is now evolving. More couples are actively seeking environments that respect birth as both a physiological and emotional journey.

“Childbirth is a one-of-a-kind experience. It is deeply transforming for the mother,” the doctor notes. This understanding has prompted hospitals to rethink how birthing spaces look and feel. Neutral colous, warm lighting, wooden textures, and minimal visual clutter are replacing stark whites and harsh fluorescents. The goal is not to eliminate medical safety, but to soften its visual dominance.

The rise of warm water birthing pools fits naturally into this shift. These pools are often placed in private, dimly lit rooms that resemble wellness studios rather than hospital wards. Gentle music, controlled lighting, and calming scents further enhance the sense of control and peace.

Why Warm Water Changes the Experience of Birth

Water has an innate ability to soothe. Immersion in warm water relaxes muscles, reduces physical tension, and encourages slower, deeper breathing. According to clinical observations, many women feel a stronger sense of control when laboring in water. The pool acts as a physical and psychological buffer, helping block out noise, distractions, and external stress.

The expert points out that water births are not only about comfort but also about reducing fear. Many mothers report feeling less anxious and more connected to their bodies during labor. This inward focus can make contractions feel more manageable and the overall experience more empowering.

Rephrasing this idea, the essence of water birth lies in its ability to support the body’s natural rhythm. Instead of fighting pain, women are encouraged to work with it, supported by warmth, buoyancy, and privacy.

Aesthetic Calm with Clinical Safety

One of the most common misconceptions about serene birthing environments is that they compromise safety. In reality, the shift is about balance. Modern birthing spaces are designed to keep medical equipment accessible but discreet. The focus is on emotional well-being alongside clinical readiness.

“There is a clear shift in attitude,” the doctor explains, adding that childbirth is no longer seen as just a medical event but as a life experience deserving emotional care. This change also reflects broader conversations around respectful maternity care, where the mother’s comfort, dignity, and choices are prioritized.

Creating a Zen Birth Experience

For expectant parents interested in this approach, preparation plays a key role. Choosing a hospital or birthing center that offers warm water birth options and calming room designs is the first step. Simple additions like soft lighting, calming music, and guided breathing techniques can make a noticeable difference.

Incorporating natural elements such as plants and warm colors helps create a grounding environment. Emotional support from a partner, doula, or trusted caregiver is equally important. A clear birth plan that balances comfort preferences with medical safety allows both parents and healthcare teams to work in harmony.

Redefining How Birth Feels

Warm water pools and serene birthing environments are changing more than the appearance of labor rooms. They are reshaping how birth is felt, remembered, and processed. By replacing tension with tranquility, this approach supports mothers in feeling calmer, more confident, and more present during one of life’s most intense moments.

As the expert advises, anyone considering this option should discuss it with their doctor and make informed decisions based on individual health needs. What is clear, however, is that the aesthetics of childbirth are no longer an afterthought. They are becoming an essential part of how birth itself is experienced, marking a meaningful shift toward gentler, more human-centered care.

Sleep training is a key to a good night's rest. This is especially true for the parents who are still new with handling their babies. One such method of sleep training, famous in Denmark is called the 'cry it out' method.

However, this method has been long in debates, Especially with one side saying that allowing babies to bawl does no harm, whereas, other sets of research and studies suggest that it impacts babies' emotional quotient. In fact, research suggest that leaving the babies to cry could have knock-on effects including damaging the bond between parent and child and raising the infant's stress levels.

However, recently, 723 Danish psychologists signed an open letter stating that cry it out sleep method, known as the "good night and sleep well" method in Denmark should be discouraged, as such methods may risk the attachment and child's development.

What Exactly Is The 'Cry It Out' Method?

This is also known as the extinction method, where rather than answering your little one's crying call as soon as it goes out, you give them the opportunity to independently work it out and nod off. This method is not intended to be cruel, it is meant to be used as an intentional tool to teach your baby self-soothing techniques that will stick with them for life.

Some also call it same as going cold turkey on your child. Parenting experts say that you put your baby in their crib, say goodnight and shut the door.

Also Read: 'Biased' Danish Parenting Test Has Separated Babies From Their Mothers; Parents Are Now Fighting Back

The Debate Of Those In Favor Of Cry It Out And Those Against It

A study led by researchers from the University of Warwick and published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, followed 178 babies and their mothers in the UK from birth to 18 months. Mothers regularly filled out questionnaires explaining how often they let their baby “cry it out” shortly after birth, and again at three, six, and 18 months.

Researchers also observed mother-infant interactions through video recordings at three and 18 months. At 18 months, they assessed children’s behavior and attachment using parent questionnaires, psychologist reports, and observations of play.

The results showed that most mothers rarely let newborns cry. However, by 18 months, around two-thirds allowed their child to cry sometimes or often. Importantly, babies who were occasionally allowed to cry as newborns tended to cry for shorter periods by 18 months.

No Clear Evidence of Harm

The team found no negative effects on the child’s emotional attachment, behaviour, or the mother’s sensitivity by 18 months. Based on these findings, researchers concluded that the practice does not appear to cause harm.

Professor Dieter Wolke, a co-author of the study, said parents may have worried unnecessarily about the issue. He suggested that debates around crying may have been exaggerated.

The Ones Against The Cry It Out Method

Not everyone agrees that the findings settle the debate. Professor Amy Brown from Swansea University, who was not involved in the research, warned that the results should be interpreted carefully. She noted that very few mothers in the study regularly used the “cry it out” approach, and the study did not examine how long babies were left to cry or how distressing parents found the experience.

She also emphasized that the research does not prove controlled crying is beneficial, nor does it address the emotional toll it can take on caregivers.

The Developing Infant Brain

Some researchers highlight concerns about stress in early life. A baby’s brain grows rapidly in the first year, and intense distress triggers the release of cortisol, a stress hormone. In high levels, cortisol may harm developing neural connections. While the effects may not be immediate, some experts question whether repeated distress could have long-term consequences.

Stress, Self-Regulation, and Trust

Infants rely on caregivers to learn how to regulate emotions. When caregivers respond quickly and consistently, babies learn calmness and trust. Comforting a distressed baby helps build the foundation for self-soothing later in life.

Critics argue that leaving babies to cry may teach them to shut down emotionally rather than truly self-regulate. Over time, this could affect how children respond to stress and relationships.

The Role of Caregiver Responsiveness

Decades of developmental research show that caregiver responsiveness plays a crucial role in positive outcomes such as emotional regulation, social skills, empathy, and even intelligence. When caregivers are sensitive to a baby’s signals, it supports healthy brain and emotional development.

Because responsiveness is so influential, experts stress that any parenting approach should prioritize attentiveness to a child’s needs. While occasional crying may not be harmful, consistent care and emotional availability remain central to healthy development.