As of 25.08.2025
Grandparents are wonderful, which is why it's best to have two of each. They have the calm and serenity of great wisdom and the practical experience of having accompanied at least one child from infancy to adulthood. They are a blessing for parents because they are often on hand with advice and support. And for grandchildren, grandma and grandpa are often a mixture of oasis of peace and land of milk and honey. Grandparents often find a very special connection to their grandchildren. This is not witchcraft, but the result of years of practical experience.
A case for grandma: calming the grandchild
During a flight from Hamburg to Dubai, I observed a petite Asian grandmother calming her crying grandchild quickly and easily.
In the middle of the flight, the infant in her arms suddenly began to cry inconsolably. After a few piercing cries, the sprightly old lady stood up, took her distressed traveling companion in her arms and began a whole symphony of actions: She cuddled the little girl's tummy against her shoulder, made a persistent "Shhhhh" in her ear, rhythmically patted her bottom and simultaneously swung her upper body up and down and back and forth, from side to side - like a snake slithering up a hill. In less than a minute, her little bundle had fallen asleep.
You might assume that someone who can soothe babies so well simply has the gift, but that's not the case. Even though it may seem almost magical how this old lady calmed her grandchild in the blink of an eye, this art is based on long experience and practice. But in fact she has - instinctively or not - applied and confirmed sound scientific knowledge.
The 4th trimester: Why babies aren't ready yet
Many of the tricks that grandparents have learned over the years are based on a very simple and natural fact: our babies are born 3 months early! They are still very immature at the time of birth. Baby horses, by comparison, can walk straight away, even on the first day of their lives. Our newborns, on the other hand, need help - even just to burp.
The actually too early time of birth is a compromise of nature. The baby is born at a time when its body system can already survive outside the womb. However, if the pregnancy were to continue even longer to allow the baby to mature, the baby's head would become too large for the birth canal. The last stage of pregnancy therefore takes place outside the womb, so to speak. Accordingly, the first three months of a baby's life are, so to speak, the fourth trimester of the fetal stage. In order to create the optimum conditions, our task as adults is to imitate the womb as closely as possible.
What is it like in the womb?
Especially in the last few weeks before birth, the uterus is an extremely confined space. There is hardly any room to move your arms and legs. Another feature is that the baby is practically constantly rocked by the mother's movements. But perhaps the most surprising thing is that it is very noisy in the womb. In fact, according to studies, it is louder in the womb than a vacuum cleaner!
It is also warm thanks to the mother's body temperature and the baby is supplied with everything it needs to live via the umbilical cord, while at the same time she removes harmful substances from its body.
After birth: the big adjustment shock
After birth the child can already breathe, drink and digest and excrete the food it has eaten on its own. However, it misses the confinement, the warmth, the constant movements and even the noise. It expresses this discomfort in the only way it is capable of: by crying.
This is a real test of nerves for many young parents because they don't know how to calm their child effectively and quickly. This is where grandparents come into play, having acquired all the skills thoroughly. Parents also instinctively cuddle and rock their little crying offspring and are already doing a lot of things right. Grandparents, like the grandma described at the beginning of this article, have achieved true mastery. They rock the children in close physical contact according to all the rules of the art and at exactly the right rhythm. And at the same time, they provide a familiar background noise, thanks to which the little ones quickly sink into the realm of dreams.
5 tried and tested grandparent tricks for soothing babies
Even if they may not be familiar with the 4th trimester, grandparents usually know exactly how to comfort a crying child and rock them to sleep. They instinctively use techniques that simulate the conditions in the womb to a certain extent. And in a familiar environment, it is easier for the baby to relax.
The five most important grandparent tricks are:
- Swaddling - The arms are tightly embraced so that they are close to the body. This gives the baby back the familiar tightness of the womb and has a calming effect. There are also appropriate swaddling techniques for this.
- Lateral or prone position - In the lateral or prone position, the child calms down quickly. However, this position is still unsuitable for sleeping at this age and is even dangerous.
- Loud hissing sounds - Hissing sounds simulate the background noise in the womb and create an environment in which the baby can calm down quickly.
- Rocking (or small rocking movements) - also simulates the womb and has always been a tried and tested way of lulling a baby to sleep.
- Sucking - Many children suck their thumb to soothe themselves. However, a pacifier is even better because it is softer and therefore carries a lower risk of misaligned teeth. It is also easier to wean later.
Important note: For most babies, one or two of these tricks are enough. With particularly restless children, however, it is sometimes necessary to use all five at once. However, all these tricks also have a positive side effect: they have a particularly bonding effect. So it's no wonder that the relationship between grandchildren and grandparents is often a very special one from the very first moment.
swing2sleep spring cradle: grandparent tricks automated
Grandparents are called grandparents because they are great, and our automatic swing cradle can never be a full-fledged replacement for grandma and grandpa. However, it can be a valuable help and relief for both parents and grandparents, as it also has a few grandparent tricks up its sleeve to quickly soothe a crying child. Thanks to the cozy confines of our baby hammock, the child can quickly relax and the swinging movements gently lull them to sleep.
Frequently asked questions about grandparent tricks and baby soothing
Why do grandparents often soothe babies faster than parents?
Grandparents have years of experience and the peace of mind that comes from less stress and uncertainty. They instinctively use tried and tested techniques that mimic the womb environment. They are also usually more relaxed, which is transferred to the baby.
What exactly is the 4th trimester and why is it so important?
The 4th trimester describes the first 3 months of a baby's life as a transitional period. Newborns are not yet fully developed neurologically and require conditions similar to the womb: confinement, warmth, constant movement and even sounds. Understanding this concept helps to apply the right soothing techniques.
Which of the 5 grandparent tricks works the fastest?
It depends on the individual baby, but often the combination of swaddling and rhythmic rocking movements is the most effective. Many grandparents also combine the "shhhh" sound as it mimics the noise level in the womb. For most babies, 1-2 techniques at a time are sufficient.
From what age can these calming techniques be used?
These techniques are particularly effective in the first 3-4 months of life (the 4th trimester). They can be used safely from birth. Important: The side or stomach position may only be used for calming - the baby must always be placed on its back to sleep (SIDS prevention).
Can young parents also learn these grandparent tricks?
Absolutely! These techniques are based on scientific findings about the needs of newborn babies. With a little practice and patience, even inexperienced parents can use these methods successfully. The main advantage of grandparents often lies in their calmness and composure, which is transferred to the baby.
Dear grandmas and grandpas,
I wish you lots of fun and cuddly moments with your grandchild.
Maik Schwede
Father, founder of swing2sleep and expert in safe baby sleep from his own experience
