How To Instantly Soothe A Crying Baby

For all of you new parents out there, we may have just found the Holy Grail: A way to instantly sooth crying babies. Called “The Hold,” this method involves a particular way of cradling and rocking babies that (supposedly) calms them in seconds. It may sound too good to be true, but if this video of The Hold in action is anything to go by, it may actually work — and when you’re dealing with a wailing two-month-old and haven’t slept in twelve days, anything is worth a try, right?

In the video, Dr. Robert Hamilton, a pediatrician in Santa Monica, California, explains how to use a calming technique he’s perfected through treating thousands of newborn babies during his 30-year career. The Hold is fairly simple and involves four steps:

1. Fold the child’s right arm over his or her chest, and the left arm on top.
2. Hold the arms securely in place with your hand.
3. Use your dominant hand to hold the diaper area.
4. Gently rock the baby at a 45-degree angle, and “shake their booty.”

Holding the baby at a 45-degree angle is important; doing so prevents the infant from tipping his or her head backward and potentially causing the holder to lose control. Dr. Hamilton points out that this this technique is most suitable to babies that are fresh out of the oven — only two to three months — as older kids will simply be too big for The Hold to be manageable.

Here’s footage of The Hold being used on real, live babies:

(Please be advised: Dangerously adorable, squishy-faced babies ahead. Not suitable for viewing while operating heavy machinery or doing anything remotely productive.)

You start by grasping a screaming infant like so:

Then gently move the baby up and down or “stir him” like a spoon:

Or do the butt wiggle:

In no time, the baby will be chillin’ like a villain:

Watch the full video below:

Images: YouTube (5)