When our oldest was just a baby, there was one thing that was guaranteed to put him to sleep or soothe him whenever he was distressed, unhappy or colicky - picking him up and walking him around.
According to Japanese researchers of the RIKEN Institute for Brain Research in Current Biology, babies are soothed when picked up by their parents; their heartbeats and brain activities instantly relaxing when cradled in their parents' arms. The only catch: walking is mandatory - it does not work if you're just standing still! People without children often question the practice, but as a parent, you know it works. So now that it's been proven scientifically, you can bring out that "I told you so."