Do you let your baby cry themselves to sleep?

Kirsten Veronica - posted on 08/04/2010

Actually cosleeping, done right, with parents (or parent) who are not intoxicated, on sleep medication, smokers or obese, is safer than sleeping in a crib in another room. I've been cosleeping since my daughter was one week old and we sleep very well.

I would never let a child cry herself to sleep. It can dangerously raise blood pressure and cortisol levels. And the "finally falling asleep" is actually a defeated response where they realize that the person they love who is supposed to come "save them" from being scared or hungry or wet or cold or alone, just isn't going to. They lose trust and that bond with their parent because the parent has taught them not to self sooth, but to give up on being comforted.

Tina - posted on 08/03/2010

I have never been one for allowing children to cry. that is how babies communicate. A baby cannot reason within themselves "hey she is right in the next room, she hasn't forgotten me, I will see her in the morning" . All they know is that you are not there, they are alone, and they sometimes Need that physical contact to feel safe and loved.
Its just a stage and it will pass... it could take years but it will pass.. I have always either laid in bed with them until they are asleep or go to bed with them at the same time. It depends on her age etc. I found that my kids started to sleep really well on their own in their own room around the age of 2 - 2 1/2. Even now at almost 4 my daughter will come and snuggle up at night. We are human and humans do Not like to be alone.. its just natural.
Hang in there... it will get better!! It will all be worth it!

Becky - posted on 07/23/2010

When my little girl was still an infant, we'd let her go for about 15 min, then we'd try to feed her, change her .... if all needs were met, we'd put her down again, and give it another 15 to 20 min crying and do it again if needed. . . lasted about a week before she'd start going to bed. We tried several things like rocking her to sleep, but she'd always wake up when we put her in her crib to sleep and started crying. I never left her cry for long,

Nicole - posted on 07/23/2010

My 6 week old does the same thing, though only during the day if I am trying to lay him down for a nap!!! I have gotten lots of advice both going both ways, and a lot of it depended on the age of the baby!!! The best thing to do is consult with your pediatrician, and then make an informed decision for yourself!!! I personally only let my son cry for a couple of minutes, after having made sure he is not hungry, gassy or needing a clean diaper!!!

Autumn - posted on 07/23/2010

OMG. lol..I had the same problem with my son. My doctor told me to put them in bed and if they cry longer then 15 min to get them out. and Co sleeping is really bad. A lot of kids have died that way.http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sle... about co sleeping.

Candice - posted on 07/23/2010

Hell no CIO! Try reading the No Cry Sleep Solution.Try co-sleeping it makes for happy mama and baby. :D