
Some babies really are born fussy, expert reveals - and there's not much parents can do about it
Researchers have discovered that DNA accounts for a large portion of how much babies cry and how easily they calm down.
The findings might provide some reassurance for exhausted families, who feel like they've tried everything to get their youngster to settle.
However, it suggests that not much can be done to combat the issue.
The team, from Uppsala University in Sweden, tracked 998 twins at two months and five months old.
By comparing identical twins, who share 100 per cent of their DNA, with fraternal twins, who share around half of their DNA, they were able to separate genetic influences from environmental ones.
The researchers asked parents questions about the children's sleep, crying and ability to settle.
Their analysis, published in the journal JCPP Advances, revealed that at the age of five months genetic factors explained up to 70 per cent of the differences in crying duration among babies.
Dr Charlotte Viktorsson, postdoctoral fellow in psychology and lead author of the study, said: 'What we found was that crying is largely genetically determined.
'At the age of two months, the children's genetics explain about 50 per cent of how much they cry. At five months of age, genetics explain up to 70 per cent of the variation.
'For parents, it may be a comfort to know that their child's crying is largely explained by genetics, and that they themselves have limited options to influence how much their child cries.'
The study found a baby's ability to settle down was also largely determined by their DNA, accounting for up to 67 per cent of the variation between infants.
'How rapidly the infant settled was primarily due to the environment at two months of age, but by five months their genetics had gained some significance,' Dr Viktorsson explained.
'This reflects the rapid development that occurs in infants, and may indicate that parents' efforts in getting their child to settle may have the greatest impact in the first months.'
However, genetics played less of a role when it came to how many times the children woke up during the night.
This was mainly influenced by environmental factors, they discovered, such as sleep routines and the environment in which the child sleeps.
Researchers from the RIKEN Centre for Brain Science in Japan claim that the trick to soothe a crying infant is carrying them in your arms for five minutes, then sitting with them in your arms for five to eight minutes, before placing them in their crib
A study has previously claimed to have the 'recipe' to lull a baby to sleep - and it's surprisingly simple.
From offering a pacifier to desperately singing lullabies, most exhausted parents will go to any lengths to get their baby to stop crying.
But researchers from the RIKEN Centre for Brain Science in Japan claim that the trick to soothe a crying infant is to carry them in your arms for five minutes, then sit with them in your arms for five to eight minutes, before placing them in their cot.
The team hopes the method will provide an immediate solution for crying infants, although they're unsure whether it will improve sleep in the long-term.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
18 hours ago
- The Guardian
Resident doctors' strike undermines union movement, Wes Streeting says
A strike by resident doctors 'enormously undermines the entire trade union movement', Wes Streeting has argued, urging them not to join industrial action on Friday morning. In an article for the Guardian, the health secretary says the decision by the British Medical Association (BMA) to push for new strikes in England immediately after receiving a pay rise of 22% to cover 2023-24 and 2024-25 is unreasonable and unprecedented. Taking aim squarely at the leadership of the BMA, which represents the medics formerly known as junior doctors, Streeting condemns their demand for a fresh 29% rise over the next few years. He says that while there was 90% backing for the strike, it was on a turnout of just over 55% of members. Streeting says the move to strike after the offer of a 5.4% pay rise for 2025-26, was rushed into and is 'bitterly disappointing' amid efforts to improve NHS services. 'There was a deal here to be done,' he writes. 'Instead, the BMA leadership's decision to not even consider postponing these strikes will place an enormous burden on their colleagues, and hit the recovery we can all see our health service is making. 'Not only that, it enormously undermines the entire trade union movement. No trade union in British history has seen its members receive a such a steep pay rise only to immediately respond with strikes – even when a majority of their members didn't even vote to strike. This action is unprecedented, and it is unreasonable.' The BMA argues that resident doctors have seen their pay fall by a much greater amount in real terms since 2008-09 than the rest of the population. 'Doctors are not worth less than they were 17 years ago, when austerity policies began driving wages down. We're simply asking for that value to be restored,' it said. Streeting says resident doctors have privately contacted him to express their dismay at the decision to strike, saying they 'feel the BMA's leaders are out of lockstep with not just patients but most resident doctors themselves'. The health secretary urges doctors to defy their union and not join in the strike, which runs until 7am next Wednesday. 'I am urging resident doctors to not follow the BMA leadership, who I do not believe are representing the best interests of their members, any further down this path as strikes begin on Friday at 7am,' he writes. The public have been urged to keep coming forward for NHS care during the strike, and NHS England has urged hospital chief executives to keep routine operations and appointments and only reschedule if there is a risk to patient safety. A Department of Health and Social Care blog noted that the NHS was 'taking a different approach' after learning lessons from previous strikes, and would avoid cancelling planned appointments for illnesses such as cancer because this posed 'a risk to patients too'. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion On Wednesday, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges urged the BMA to suspend its guidance to resident doctors that they do not have to share their intentions to strike with their employers – as is their entitlement under employment law – to enable hospitals to better plan. It is understood that in previous strikes, healthcare leaders filled rota gaps of unknown size by overstaffing and cancelling procedures, with the result that there was insufficient work for some highly paid consultants. Fewer resident doctors are expected to go on strike on Friday than in the previous round of industrial action that started in 2023 after the BMA achieved a smaller mandate in the strike ballot. Of 48,000 members, 55% voted, of whom 90% supported industrial action – representing less than half of members – compared with a turnout of 71.25% in 2023, of whom 43,440 (or 98.37%) voted to go on strike. The numbers of striking doctors is expected to vary between hospitals and trusts, with anticipated staff rota gaps filled locally by consultants, agency doctors and other NHS staff. Hospital leaders will monitor demand and if they are overwhelmed with patients they will have contingency plans in place, for example cancelling some appointments to prioritise urgent and emergency care, calling in extra bank or agency staff, or requesting derogations – where resident doctors are called in to work – with the BMA. The Health Service Journal (HSJ) reported that the NHS England chief, Sir Jim Mackey, had told trust leaders to crack down on resident doctors' ability to earn money during the strike by working locum shifts.


The Independent
18 hours ago
- The Independent
Expert warns not to use these two cleansing bestsellers after a lash lift
Nothing quite compares to the feeling of a fresh lash lift. You look (and feel) bright eyed, and your make-up appears half way there before you've even had your morning coffee. Typically, a lash lift will last between six and eight weeks but, something you might not know, is that every product you apply – from your cleanser to your mascara – has an effect on its longevity. If you've never had a lash lift – also known as LVL (length, volume and lift) – the process involves pushing the eyelashes up and around a silicone shield before applying a lifting balm which breaks down the structure of the hair. After this, a fixing solution is used to set the lashes and, often, a tint is also applied for a bolder finish. The full treatment usually takes an hour and, when you've expended that much time and money (anywhere from £30 to £100), you want to make the most of it. So I spoke to expert lash artist, Emmy Clayton, to discover how we can use our skincare and make-up to ensure a resilient and long-lasting lift and curl. Meet the expert Emmy Clayton, also known as Emmy Creates, is a lash and brow artist with 14 years of experience. Trained by Aussie lash and brow brand Elleebana, she now trains new artists and has worked on behind-the-scenes glam for numerous beauty campaigns, such as YSL and L'Oréal Paris. Not to mention she has a long list of celebrity clientele, including Made in Chelsea 's Sophie Habboo and Lottie Moss. Cleansers to avoid after a lash lift According to Clayton, the key to mastering proper lash care is to think of it like hair. 'Conditioner is great, but too much weighs it down,' she explains. This means that certain oil-rich formulas can accelerate the speed at which your lifted curl begins to relax, especially when combined with additional elements like steam and heat. With this in mind, Clayton tells us which cleansers she might avoid post-lift, plus the ones she loves for a safe lash wash and scrub-free eye make-up removal. While Clayton sings the praises of the cult Elemis pro-collagen cleansing balm (£49, for non-lifted lashes, complimenting how it 'leaves the skin feeling nourished', she advises that regular use around the eye area can gradually soften the curl of treated lashes, because of the balm's elderberry and starflower oils. Similarly, while the Body Shop's camomile sumptuous make-up cleansing butter (£13, is 'seriously effective', Clayon suggests steering clear with lifted lashes given how it's 'rich in shea butter and multiple plant oils'. It's worth noting that oils aren't inherently bad for the lashes, but continuous use of them can be. As Clayton puts it, the use of oils in our skincare routine (think: thick eye creams and, as above, cleansing balms) won't prompt a full lash lift reversal, but rather a gradual curl drop. The specific culprits? 'Excessive amounts of heavy oils like castor or coconut, combined with heat or steam,' she says. Lash lift-suitable cleansers Thankfully, with the beauty industry growing exponentially, there are plenty of alternatives to suit every skin type and budget. Clayton hails the Glossier milky oil dual-phase waterproof make-up remover (£18, as her go-to, as it 'removes eye make-up (even waterproof mascara) without the need for rubbing or soaking the lashes in heavy oil'. If you're looking for something more affordable, she also recommends the L'Oréal Paris eye and lip express make-up remover (£5.30, Clayton applauds how 'it doesn't leave behind a thick oily residue, making it a great everyday option post-lash lift'. Lastly, Vichy's purete thermale waterproof eye make-up remover (£6.96, is a great option if you suffer sensitivity around the eyes or wear contacts, as it uses conditioning arginine and thermal spring water to keep things effective yet irritation-free. 'It's loved for its lightweight feel and is a reliable post-lift option that doesn't compromise results,' Clayton says. Why has my lash lift gone wrong? It's not just cleansers that can effect your lash lift results. if you've ever suffered crumpled or kinked lashes just a few days or weeks after your treatment, 'it likely comes down to how the treatment was done,' claims Clayton. She lists four factors at play here: Shield size: 'A common reason for lashes bending during grow-out is when your tech uses a shield that's too small to create a super-dramatic curl,' says Clayton. While she acknowledges the initial appeal of this method, she adds that 'most lashes grow pretty straight, so when new growth comes in, it doesn't tend to follow the exaggerated 90-degree angle of the fresh lift, leading to that 'L-shaped' kink or bend where the natural growth meets the lifted lash.' Lash length and thickness: A consequence of natural hair growth cycles and one that's outside your lash tech's control, Clayton explains that not all lashes are the same length or thickness, as some are baby lashes that haven't fully grown out. 'If those get caught up and lifted with the longer ones they can sometimes crumple or curl unevenly as they grow out,' she explains. Lash mapping: 'Every lash map I do is tailored, not just for the lift, but for the best grow-out possible,' states Clayton. Lash mapping refers to the customising of shields, and the placement of the lashes and lifting/fixing solutions. Elaborating on this, Clayton recommends asking your lash artist if they have multiple shield styles. 'When it's done right, your lift should grow out soft and seamless, not spiky or kinked,' she says. Damage prevention: The first 48 hours following a lash lift are crucial. With this in mind, Clayton flags that 'sleeping face-down can crumple or bend your lashes.' Her solution? Switching to a silk pillowcase and using a 3D contoured sleep mask. Specifically, she recommends Drowsy's silk pillowcase (£59, and lash cocoon eye mask (£79, What mascara can you use with a lash lift? If everything from your cleanser to your pillowcase can effect the longevity of a lash lift, then a mascara – which gets in-between and all around the lashes – undoubtedly has a part to play. For many people, getting a lash lift and tint bypasses the need for mascara. However, if you like to keep your eye make-up dramatic, you'll be pleased to know there are plenty of LVL-approved options. 'This mascara is my number one obsession,' confesses Clayton, referring to Glossier's lash slick lift and lengthening mascara (£20, 'I love the brush, I love the finish and it just works perfectly with a lash lift as there's no clumping, no heaviness, and it removes so easily without compromising the curl.' Alternatively, Victoria Beckham's future lash (£32, is another great option that's been designed with lash health in mind. Clayton likes how it uses panthenol to strengthen and 'removes cleanly with just warm water.' No risk of dragging or lash fall-out. What mascara should you avoid? When it comes to which mascaras to avoid after having a lash lift, their compatibility will largely depend on how easy they are to remove. While Too Faced's better than sex mascara (£28, is a great pick if you're after volume and impact, Clayton says it can be 'a bit too much for lifted lashes'. 'The formula is quite thick and tends to clump, which can take away from that clean, defined curl,' she explains. 'It also has a tendency to flake and needs a good bit of effort to remove, which isn't ideal post-lift.' Similarly, Clayton loves Benefit's they're real! lengthening mascara (£27, on natural lashes owing to its intense staying power but it's one she recommends avoiding if you've recently had an LVL. 'It's a bit of a mission to remove,' she says 'which often means more rubbing than you'd like'.


Reuters
18 hours ago
- Reuters
GSK's blood cancer drug gets EU approval for multiple myeloma
July 24 (Reuters) - British drugmaker GSK (GSK.L), opens new tab said on Thursday the European Union has approved the company's blood cancer drug Blenrep for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.