Effects of Vibration On Babies (And Why Do Babies Like Vibration?)

By Shannon McLaughlin | Updated On August 6, 2022

  • Medically reviewed by 
happy baby falls asleep
happy baby falls asleep

Do you ever wonder why babies like to be rocked and swaddled? Or maybe you’re wondering if there are any dangers to your baby’s health associated with being exposed to vibration.

As it turns out, there are some things that many parents should know about the effects of vibration on newborns and children.

First, we should talk about why babies like to be vibrated.

Newborns are used to being in an environment where they can feel gentle vibrations—the beating of their mother’s heart and lungs, for example.

In fact, researchers have found that a mother’s heartbeat is actually one of the most effective ways to soothe a crying infant.

This makes sense when you think about it: Babies have been listening to their mothers’ hearts for nine months before they were born!

Infants also enjoy being rocked by their parents or caregivers as they sleep because this provides them with some sort of sensation that reminds them of being in utero. It’s comforting to them because it reminds them of home (in utero).

But what about the risks?

Well…there aren’t any!

Studies show that there aren’t any negative effects associated with exposing your kid or baby to soothing vibrations or movement while they sleep at night (or during the day!).

Now, let’s talk about the science behind why babies like vibration so much!

Is Vibration Bad For Babies? The Science Behind The Phenomenon

We’ve all heard it before: “Don’t shake the baby!” But does this mean that babies don’t like to be shaken? Not at all—in fact, they love it!

But why? Why do our little ones seem to respond so well to being shaken and jostled around? And is there any harm in it?

Well, the answer is a bit complicated.

First of all, there’s no evidence that being shaken can cause any significant harm to your child. But there are some things you should know about how being jostled around affects your baby’s body.

First things first: Shaking your baby gently will not damage their brain or other organs. In fact, as long as you’re doing it at an appropriate frequency (not too fast), your kid will even enjoy it!

Your baby’s brain releases endorphins when their body experiences rhythmic motion—and these endorphins make us feel good by releasing dopamine and serotonin into our bodies. Just like when we run or play sports!

So, shaking your baby isn’t going to hurt them physically… but what about emotionally?

a baby will fall asleep with gentle rocking

Babies have a very unique way of connecting with the world around them. They like to feel things, touch things and experience new sensations.

When you’re holding your baby or rocking them in a carrier, you might notice that they seem to enjoy the vibration from these activities.

In fact, newborns will often relax and fall asleep when they are being moved or shaken slightly.

This is because infants can feel natural vibrations from the movements of their mother’s body as she walks around during pregnancy.

The kind of vibration newborns experience when they’re in the womb differs from the vibrations we experience as adults.

It’s been shown in new research that infants actually prefer this kind of soothing vibration over other types of sensation.

A baby’s experience of vibration is called “peripheral vestibular stimulation” (PVS). PVS stimulates the vestibular system, which is responsible for helping us maintain our balance and our orientation in space.

It also helps us determine which way is up, down, left, and right without having to look around.

As you might imagine, a baby’s vestibular system isn’t fully developed when they’re born—which is why she has trouble focusing on objects close up or far away from her face until they get older.

But PVS is still important for their development because it helps her learn about what things are made out of—how solid or soft they are—and how heavy or light they feel in her hand.

These are all important skills for interacting with objects around you later in life (like learning how to eat safely by putting food into your mouth without choking).

Can it cause Shaken Baby Syndrome?

fussy baby calms down when swaddled

Vibration is a very common thing in the world. It can be found in our computers, cars, and even mobile phones. Babies are also exposed to vibrations in their cribs.

But what is the effect of vibration on babies? Can it cause Shaken Baby Syndrome?

Vibration can be very beneficial to newborns. However, it is possible for a baby to suffer from shaken baby syndrome if they are exposed to excessive vibration.

A shaken baby syndrome is caused by excessive shaking or jerking of a baby’s body. This can cause internal injuries and bleeding in the brain, which can lead to permanent damage or death.

Since infants are so small, it takes less force than you might think to cause them harm. And since we know that certain types of movement tend to upset our stomachs, it’s no surprise that babies feel the same way when they’re being shaken.

The shaken baby syndrome can also happen if an accident involves a vehicle with faulty brakes or tires. This can cause injury to the brain, spinal cord, or other parts of the body.

But what about vibrating toys?

They aren’t necessarily dangerous—unless you shake them too hard!

Vibrating toys should be used gently so that they don’t cause any harm to your child’s hearing or balance (and they don’t make them sick).

Vibrations Can Be Soothing For A Crying Baby (And Help Your Baby Sleep Better!)

fussy baby on a rocker

When you’re trying to soothe your baby, it’s important to find something that works.

If you’ve tried rocking, walking, singing, and playing music—and none of it seems to work—try using vibrations.

Newborns like vibrating things, and if you’re the parent of one, you’ve probably noticed that the baby will often pull away from a gentle touch but will lean toward a vibrating object.

So why is that?

The answer has to do with the fact that newborn babies have very limited control over their bodies at this age. They can’t move very well and are not yet used to having people around them (especially strangers).

Vibrations are soothing and can help your baby sleep because they provide stimulation without touching your baby. It’s like having something nice brush against your skin—it feels good without being too much.

Babies are often comforted by the rhythm of their mom’s heartbeat or the sound of her voice.

The same goes for “white noise,” like a fan or running water—it helps comfort your baby because it reminds them of the sounds they heard in utero and during their early years.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to soothing your baby; everyone is different! Experiment with different kinds of vibration machines until you find one that works best for your little one.

Soothing Baby Products

We’ve all heard the phrase, “babies love to be rocked,” but there’s more to it than that.

The experts at BabyCenter recommend using vibrating bassinets, pads and mats, bouncers, and other products that produce vibration as part of your baby’s bedtime routine.

They say that while the research on these products is limited, they do seem to help calm infants who are struggling with sleep or discomfort.

They also have no known side effects—so there’s no harm in trying one out!

Many newborns do indeed like being rocked, and they also enjoy the soothing effect of vibration. If you’re looking for a new way to calm your baby down, then check out these three soothing baby products:

Is a vibrating bassinet safe?

a normal bassinet

The answer is…it depends!

If you have a newborn baby with colic or reflux, then definitely yes, a vibrating bassinet is safe.

These conditions cause your baby to experience pain when they eat or drink. Vibration can help relieve this pain by stimulating their digestive system and helping them calm down.

But if your baby isn’t suffering from colic or reflux—or if you’re worried about putting them at risk of developing those conditions—then no, a vibrating bassinet might not be safe for them at all!

If your little one isn’t crying because of discomfort but rather because they’re bored or lonely, then the constant vibrations could actually make them feel worse by stressing out their central nervous system.

So, before you buy one of these products for your little one, make sure they truly need it!

How about vibrating mats and pads?

mats and pads to help sleep

Babies, like all of us, are sensitive to sensory input. This means that when they are exposed to new things and experiences, their brains have to process a lot of information, which can feel overwhelming.

When your baby is overwhelmed by too much stimulation, they will likely start crying or fussing.

Vibrations can help soothe newborn babies because it provides a consistent sensation that they can process and focus on while they’re trying to understand what’s going on around them.

A vibrating pad and vibrating mat make it easier for your baby to feel comfortable in new environments because it provides the same type of soothing vibration each time you use it—the same way that rocking a baby in your arms does!

Vibrating bouncer?

happy baby on a bouncer

The short answer is yes—but only when used properly.

Vibrating bouncers can be helpful tools for parents who need a few minutes to get something done, but you should never leave your baby unattended in one.

Also, it is important to remember that if you are using one of these products as part of your daily routine with your kid, it will eventually lose its novelty and effectiveness as a soothing device over time.

Most importantly, always read the instructions and follow safety precautions before using a new product with your baby!

This will help ensure that you understand how it works and how best to use it safely for both your child and yourself.

Wrapping up

Babies like vibration because it helps them feel comforted and secure, which is a big part of how they learn to trust the world around them.

It’s also a great way to help them fall asleep since vibrations are often associated with the feeling of being rocked in your parent’s arms.

Vibration has a lot of different effects on the body, including a decrease in stress hormones, an increase in dopamine levels, and a reduction in inflammation. All of these things are good for you—and your baby.

And remember that your child will still crave cuddles from you, even if they enjoy the vibrating sensation of their favorite toy!

Motherhood Society employs only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed research, to validate the information in our articles. Discover our editorial methodology to understand how we ensure the accuracy, dependability, and integrity of our content.

Shannon is a mother of two boys and one girl. She's hoping her experience with parenting and everything in between can help other moms navigate the complex world of motherhood.

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