One of the most heartbreaking sounds for any new parent is the wail of a crying baby. Upon hearing this, our initial reaction is to immediately come to their rescue and try to take their pain away.
But did you know that by running every time your baby cries, that you may actually be hurting more than helping? It may sound counterintuitive but recent studies suggest that it's actually OK to leave a baby when they're crying.
Many walk around with the misconception that by leaving their child alone while crying, that they're at risk of causing permanent emotional trauma to their baby.
There were also no signs whatsoever that this damaged or strained the parent/child relationship.
Your child is smarter than you might imagine. Even a baby will quickly begin to understand the basic principles of cause and effect — they cry and you come running.
This is crucial when it comes to babies developing an ability to self-regulate — especially at night times. So if you value your sleep, it's worth noting.
That's right parents, both you and your baby can actually wind up sleeping better simply by allowing the child time to cry it out on their own.
Not just that, but they also woke up fewer times throughout the course of the night.
Crying is a baby's only means of communication for the first few months of its life. But this doesn't necessarily mean that your child is in distress whenever they so happen to cry.
It may take some time, but most parents usually see noticeable results within the first 3-4 nights.
To be clear — I'm talking about both the parents and the child. A child with a regular sleep pattern will be more rested and far less susceptible to random and uncontrollable energy outbursts.
Ones who look forward to nighttime and won't put up a fight every time you try and put them to sleep.
That means no more nighttime routines with seemingly no end in sight.
This will require restraint on the parents' behalf. You're going to have to fight your initial instincts to rock them, cuddle them, or be within earshot.
Paying attention to the visual cues your baby is giving you goes a long way: are they rubbing their eyes, yawning, or sucking their thumb?
Another thing you'll want to ensure is to always put the baby down in its crib. Establishing a permanent place for bedtime goes a long way as far as giving your child the security it needs.
Do you let your child self-soothe or do you prefer another parenting method?
Either way, make sure to comment down below. We would certainly love to hear from you!
