Babies. Their ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes, their wide-eyed curiosity, their innocence, their cuteness, what’s not to love? Well, when it’s your 8th sleepless night in a row and they’re howling at a decibel potentially defying science you might be easily convinced that they are at their most adorable when they’re sound asleep.
Everyone has their methods for getting their little ones to nod off and the internet is awash with a variety of tips and tricks, from using essentials oils and fanning them to sleep, to having the appropriate lighting and controlling the temperature. One common practice among parents is putting their baby in the car and spinning around the block until they drop off. So, what is it about the four-wheel drive that sends babies into the land of nod?
There is no definitive answer to this question but there are a number of possibilities that have been suggested by sleep scientists.
Sleep debt
A baby can simply be tired. They may not have gotten as much sleep the night before and just need it. This is called sleep debt and adults can have it too.
Bed
The environment is similar to their own bed. They are tucked up nice and snug, as well as safe, with no distractions and the warm peaceful surroundings are just like their bed and relaxes their body and mind.
Movement
The car in transit can provide a gentle rocking movement for babies, soothing them and helping them get to sleep.
Sound
The gentle hum of the car when it’s on the road or white noise can aid sleep. It’s similar to the washing machine or hoover putting babies to sleep as the vibrations and repetitive noise can help.
Utero
Some scientists suggest their experience in the car mimics a baby’s time in utero including the temperature, sound and movement, which all somewhat replicate the environment.
Just like adults, there are clearly a number of contributing factors which can lead to certain environments or experiences sending us to sleep. The driving approach has even inspired Ford to create the Max Motor Dreams cot which imitates a moving car environment for babies. It works through an app which records the parent or guardians driving pattern and the crib even produces the sound of a car engine accompanied with gentle rocking. It’s not available to the public yet but who knows, maybe soon people will be able to drive their baby to sleep from the comfort of their own home.
