The Dangers of Letting Your Baby "Cry it Out"
Suffocation can even take place such as hyperventilation or choking on vomit. At times the infant can get so worked up with stress and anxiety they have a very hard time breathing and at that point are just crying for mommy or daddy to come help, they do not understand why anything is happening. Brain damage is also a very frightening and very possible outcome of crying it out. The lack of oxygen to the brain when so worked up, and constant short, hard breaths can kill many brain cells. The adrenaline and cortisol stress hormones are flooding to the brain, thus leading to neurological effects by the nerves that will not form connections to other nerves and will potentially degenerate. Research has also shown that babies who were "cry it outers" were ten times more likely to have ADHD as a child, as well as school performance being very low and antisocial behavior among their peers.
In conclusion, we can only pray that the responsiveness, comfort, nurturing, and loving care of a mother to her infant will take place when the infant is calling out for whatever it is they may want or need. The responsiveness of a mother to her infant is the most important thing in developing a child's intellect. Do your research before listening to others out there who chat about how it "worked so well for them" and brag about their parenting expertise.
Figure out what works for you and your baby without stressing yourself out too much and without harming the child. Parenting is not supposed to be easy and every child is different, a thing most parents do not really take into consideration before having a child these days. Taking the easy way out may seem less stressful right now but will make it harder later in life if the negative side effects of it take place. Plus, bonding and showing love to your baby will not only show the benefits later in life but also be a chance to be closer to your little one now, even if it means waking up every 3 hours at night. They are only a baby once and it will pass leaving you wondering how they grew up so fast, and besides, their only way of telling you they are hurting or need something from you is to cry. So say farewell to crying it out and remember, it will only get better if you stick to it.
Published by JenniLee
A 26 year old freelance writer/teacher/mother/firefighter/full time student/Pro-life advocate who grew up in Boise, ID. Former CEO of Journalism Today Inc. She also enjoys sky diving, snowboarding, sushi, te... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentThank you so much for your words on this! This is such an important issue and popularity craze that has swept America. It is so important that this information gets across to parents!!
I just got of of a 3 hour airplane ride where I thought I was going to scream from the pent up energy I had bottled up inside of me. When I hit the gang plank - I just wanted to RUN - to get exercise, to get oxygen in my lungs and blood. Imagine sitting/laying in the fetal position for months on end before learning to even reach for a toy or roll over. CRYING IS THE ONLY EXERCISE babies get!! I raised 6 boys over a period of 20 years. Yes, take care of their diaper, feeding, cuddling, etc. If that doesn't do it - then they might just need a good old fashioned release of pent up energy. Of course you should use common sense - check on them, comfort them, etc, but use some common sense.... Babies need exercise too - let mother nature do its job!!!! geeze!
There's no reason to let such a young baby (6 months or younger) to cry it out. At that age, they're still quite helpless and their cries are legitimate. However, as they get older, especially past 1 year of age, they start to test the waters and cry to get their way. But the difference in cries is very easy to detect. It's at THIS point that a parent shouldn't give in to the child (if he or she is throwing a tantrum, won't take his/her nap, etc).
A little infant just wants reassurance that mommy and/or daddy are their for him. To deny him this will cause problems for you now and later.
Very informative article. Thank you.
Great points, and an adorable baby!
Didn't it piss me off when I was told by a few family members to let my daughter cry it out when she had colic! Thank God I didn't listen to them. She is a very happy and go lucky baby. I was also told not to hold her too much .. it may spoil her. Funny thing .. babies in Europe are held all the time until they are at least 6 mos old. My daughter plays well by herself now and is very independent, only wanting mommy or daddy when she's hurt or tired!
Adorable baby!
Very scary subject but definitely worth getting the message out. I just love the picture, so adorable!