On the right side you will see I have posted a new poll. This is an issue I'm really struggling with. I'm not sure the poll will influence my parental decision making, but I'm curious. What do you think? I have several friends in both camps. I've read that letting your newborn cry teaches them that you don't care about them. I've read that it won't hurt them, but won't help them. I've read that it helps them learn to sooth themselves and sleep alone. I've read that it helps them expand excess energy.
I welcome your other comments and suggestions.
We didn't start with cry it out until M was 7 months old, per the pediatrician's recommendation. I think it can be started a little sooner than this, though- maybe around 5 months. Good luck! It's tough.
ReplyDeleteI think 6 weeks is a little early for letting her cry it out, but if she is only going to fuss for 10 minutes or so and then fall asleep....go for it. It is all about what you guys can handle.
ReplyDeleteI have a one year old, and we let him cry it out around 5 months. It can work wonders, but I think they have to be developmentally able to soothe themselves. I've heard that happens around 4-5 months. Before that, though, give them a few minutes before you go to them...walk, don't run!
ReplyDeleteWe did it really early on, around a week old (arguably too early according to some opinions), but the key for us was we had to make sure (by double and triple checking!) that all her basic needs really were met - she was warm, full, dry, comfortable and so forth - before letting her do it. She ended up using the paci for her soother and we were actually surprised at how easily she gave up the paci later since she seemed to use it for that purpose.
ReplyDeleteWe started around 6 weeks. I'm not talking about letting them cry forever, but 10-15 minutes before you check on them and soothe them. Like was already stated, we made sure all of their basic needs were met before laying them down. It's really hard to do, but worked wonderfully for us! Our kids slept through the night (about 6 hours) by about 8 weeks and slept 12 hours consistently by around 3 months. They only cried when we laid them down for a couple of weeks. Now we can just tell them it's time for bed, lay them in their cribs, put their music on, and walk away. There's no struggling! They know how to put themselves back to sleep if they wake up in the middle of the night. I feel that if you show your kids that you care about them and hold and cuddle them during the day, 10 minutes of crying at bedtime is not going to damage them for life.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Hatch
I know I have no experience but my thought is 'sometimes'. I have heard before 4 months, it is fine to go to them. But I don't know if I could actually do it. I like what the comment above mine says.
ReplyDeleteI think Kayla was about 7 months old when did the cry out. If all needs are met then there is nothing wrong to let them learn to self sooth. We started out waiting for 15 mins and then would go in if needed and went from there, but Kayla is one smart cookie and figured it out so we let her be.
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