Why do people jiggle babies like the paint shaker at HomeDepot, when they want them to calm down?

Question

Why don't we rock them gently instead?

Answer 1

shaking a baby can kill them, so people shouldn't be shaking their babies like paint shakers, you should be calling the police when you see that.

Answer 2

ok.... 1.  no one that is sane jiggles there baby that hard lol

         2. When a baby is in the womb they are used to movements like that.  Not necessarily rocking, but up and down movements from mommy walking and things like that.

Answer 3

umm ok i never saw anyone do this and if you have you should probably stop them  

Answer 4

hahaha.  That makes me laugh!

Answer 5

Sometimes they need to be stimulated or distracted instead of calmed.

I've both jiggled and rocked my babies depending on their state of wakefulness.

Answer 6

If you mean jiggling the baby, it actually helps to calm them down.  You don't jiggle or shake them too hard, but it's a proven technique and part of the "happiest baby" method.

Answer 7

I can't really understand your question - to me it sounds like violent shaking.  

Answer 8

I never jiggle my baby necessarily like a paint shaker. I do however, lightly jiggle her in small, swift motions while rocking her back and forth. I will do it up and down while she lays in my arms. My baby doesn't calm herself with simple rocking until she has pretty much knocked herself out. Babies tend to enjoy the jiggling as it imitates the womb... just as babies like being walked and bounced, in a car seat while it is being moved either by carrying or by car.

I guess it just depends on the baby's preference, I just believe most babies prefer the jiggling.

Answer 9

because babies can be veery frustrating sometimes and instead of sitting them down and gaining their composure some people shake them. it is so horrible. i would never shake my son and i dont know how someone could. but the best advice i can give is to set baby down and take a breather. a baby crying for a minute is way better than possibly dying.

well if you do mean jiggle as in, on the knee.... sometimes it can calm a baby down. like vibrations. they shouldnt do it too hard though.

Answer 10

I don't know anyone that rocks there baby like a paint shaker.  I do know that rocking my little guy usually calms him down and puts him to sleep.