Dr. Richard Ferber created controversy in 1985 when he suggested that parents should allow their babies to cry themselves to sleep in the book "Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems." Ferber retracted this in a 2006 interview with CBS News. According to the website BabyCenter, Ferber never actually used the words "cry it out" when he advised parents how to get their babies to sleep. But BabyCenter says he did propose a schedule for doing so.
Pros
If you cuddle your infant to sleep from birth, you teach her to expect it, according to BabyCenter. The website reports that Dr. Marc Weissbluth indicated that a period of crying is necessary for a baby to adapt to falling asleep on her own in his book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child." Once she does, she can use the same learned behavior if she awakens in the middle of the night. MayoClinic.com says it is OK to let your baby cry for a few minutes to see if she will settle down.
Cons
Pinky McKay, author of "Sleeping Like a Baby" and an International Board Certified lactation consultant, quotes experts as saying that teaching an infant to sleep too deeply, too soon, is not good psychologically or physically. She notes that when a baby is upset, his brain produces cortisol just as an adult's would. Cortisol is a stress hormone linked to depression and aggression. McKay says that when babies eventually stop crying, it is because they are suffering from what is called "learned helplessness." They can't escape the situation that is causing them stress, so they shut down. She says that what infants learn from the cry-to-sleep ritual is that there is no point in reaching out to their caregiver.
Misconceptions
MayoClinic.com says that infants sleep an average of 16 hours a day, but only in one to two hour increments. A parent may be tired after only two hours sleep, but her infant will probably feel energized. Ferber told CBS News that he never recommended letting a baby cry indefinitely. According to BabyCentral, he advocated letting newborns cry for only short periods, then comforting them, then leaving again for a slightly longer period of time. Extend the periods of crying gradually until your baby learns to sleep on her own. Ferber does not recommend this method for newborns younger than 4 months old.
Tips
BabyCentral recommends that if you want to try this method of teaching your baby to sleep, make sure you and your partner are in agreement and can provide each other with a support system when the process gets uncomfortable. Once you start, stick it out or give it up for a few weeks, but don't bounce back and forth nightly or you won't teach your baby anything.
Alternatives
MayoClinic.com suggests several other ways to teach your newborn to fall asleep. Try sensory stimulation during awake periods, with light and all the usual household noises. Keep track of his nap times. If he is sleeping longer than two hours at a time, this might affect his ability to fall back to sleep later. If you think your infant has a problem, don't try to figure it out by yourself. Consult your pediatrician.
References
- The Natural Child Project: The Con of Controlled Crying; Pinky McKay
- CBSNews: Baby Sleep Controversy Revisited--Ferber Denies Advocating Letting Babies Cry Themselves to Sleep; Brian Dakss; May 30, 2006
- BabyCenter: Baby Sleep Training--Cry It Out Methods
- MayoClinic.com: Baby Sleep--Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night
