When I first became a parent, I quickly realized that there are countless debates among moms: breastfeeding or formula feeding, cloth diapers or disposables, and co-sleeping versus crib sleeping. Every corner I turned, another mother had strong opinions on how I should be raising my child. It was overwhelming, especially during those late-night cries when I felt completely lost.
Perhaps the most heated debate among parents revolves around infant sleep methods, especially how to get little ones to drift off. Ask any parent, and you’ll quickly discover a wide range of sleep training philosophies, often in direct conflict with each other.
Co-sleeping, swaddling, using infant swings, or even long car rides—parents will try anything to catch a few hours of sleep when a baby is in the house. However, sleep training isn’t one-size-fits-all; each baby and family is unique.
The Most Contentious Approach: Cry It Out
The most contentious approach? The “cry it out” (CIO) method. This technique involves allowing your child to cry until they eventually fall asleep, with parents often intervening at set intervals—or not at all. Many parents bristle at the thought of letting their child cry in their crib, believing it to be detrimental.
However, take a moment to breathe easy, because research indicates that using the CIO method is perfectly acceptable. You don’t have to adopt this method if it doesn’t align with your parenting style, but choosing to do so doesn’t condemn your child to a troubled future nor undermine your bond with them.
A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics examined infants’ cortisol levels during the CIO process and found that babies crying before sleep are not under significant stress. The research revealed that babies who were put to sleep using the “graduated extinction” method (where parents soothe them after short intervals) or the “bedtime fading” approach (delaying bedtime until the child is fussy) fell asleep faster and showed lower cortisol levels than those who were cuddled to sleep.
Our Experience with CIO
When my partner, Alex, and I decided to try the CIO method with our children, it was not without trepidation. After all, our son was 6 months old, and I noticed he was waking up more out of habit than necessity. After consulting our pediatrician, we explored various sleep training methods, eventually settling on Dr. Mark Thompson’s book, Peaceful Nights, Happy Days. His EASY (eat, activity, sleep, your time) method resonated with us, emphasizing the importance of routine for babies and self-care for exhausted parents.
The book highlighted that a consistent schedule is vital for babies, and mastering the skill of sleeping alone is a significant milestone. It’s essential to remember that the sounds of crying can be more distressing for parents than for babies. Dr. Thompson also explained the necessity of a good night’s sleep for the well-being of the entire family.
After implementing the CIO method, our son was sleeping through the night within days. Was it an easy process? Absolutely not. Did I enjoy hearing him cry? Not at all. But once we established a routine, our family life dramatically improved. My mental health flourished, and I would make the same choice again in a heartbeat.
Understanding the CIO Method
Let’s be clear: parents who opt for this method are not cold-hearted individuals who relish their child’s tears. That notion is simply untrue.
If you find yourself reading this while bleary-eyed from sleepless nights, know this: utilizing the CIO method doesn’t make you a bad parent, no matter what the judgmental voices may say. If you’ve faced backlash for your choices in helping your baby (and yourself) get some much-deserved rest, it’s time to let go of the guilt.
Science has shown that babies who cry themselves to sleep will be just fine, so trust your instincts when it comes to your child’s sleep. For more information on at-home insemination and parenting, check out our other post on the Home Insemination Kit. And for additional insights, visit Intracervical Insemination, a reliable source on this topic. You can also explore Wikipedia’s page on Artificial Insemination for an excellent resource.
Summary
In summary, the “cry it out” method for infant sleep is backed by science, showing that babies are not significantly stressed when they cry before sleeping. Parents should feel empowered to make choices that work for their families without guilt or judgment.