What is the Cry it Out Method?

Put very simply, the "cry it out" method of sleep training refers to letting your baby cry on purpose (or let him self-soothe, depending on how you prefer to think of it) for a predetermined period of time.

What is the Cry it Out Method of Sleep Training?

The term "cry it out" generally refers to a sleep training method that is based on the idea that babies and children should be taught to fall asleep on their own.

Tips on letting baby cry it out

When should you start?

Ideally, parents start sleep training at three to four months of age. Your infant is more aware of the world around him now, and he's more alert to your presence and actions, making him easier to comfort.

The most important thing to remember is that you aren't leaving the baby to cry on his own until he falls asleep. You're doing it gradually and you're only leaving him to cry for a certain amount of time each night (usually 10-20 minutes).

How long should you let baby cry it out?

Many experts say there is no specific timeframe. You'll go from 10 minutes to 20, 40, and then 60. Your baby may get extremely upset at first, and there's some debate over how long it should take for him to calm down.

When to let baby cry it out

If you are considering this method of sleep training, you might want to be sure that: Your baby has been getting some good sleep at night . In other words, he is consistently getting at least 4-5 hours of good sleep at night in addition to naps.

Should you let baby cry it out for naps?

If you already let your baby "cry it out" for nighttime sleep, you might wonder if you should try the same method for naps. I don't recommend this.

What's the difference between the CIO method and the Ferber method?

The main difference is that with the Ferber method, you're expected to place your baby in his crib awake and leave the room. With the CIO method, you're expected to help him get to sleep, then leave him in his crib.

When to stop letting baby cry it out

When you have made it all the way through your cry-it-out plan, and your baby is sleeping through the night, congratulations! At this point, you can discontinue any sleep training and return to the usual way of soothing your baby.

Criticism of Cry It Out

Cry It Out is highly controversial in the world of parenting. Proponents of this approach say that sleep training is necessary for survival, and that this method helps parents regain control of their lives. Opponents, on the other hand, say that it is cruel to let your baby cry by himself.