do you let your infant cry themselves to sleep?

[JLMom]

I haven't read through all the posts, but am happy to see most in favor of not letting your baby cry. Since the dawn of time mothers have comforted their babies when they cry.

But around the 1880's (I think) a doctor named Dr. Holt published a very popular book, stating that babies should be put on a schedule, not held very much, etc. Before this time period (well, maybe some time before, like since the early 1800's) it was considered 'women's domain' and men did not butt their heads in the area of childrearing. But then, with Dr. Holt and others, men started to try to make child rearing "more scientific".

The reason so many here have stated that "they can't stand to hear their babies cry" is that it is going against your God given instincts! You have instincts for a reason; listen to them!

PM me if you need a scholarly, research based article about 'crying it out'

 

[kagedgoddess]

Quote:
did you know also that walkers were first invented by puritans who felt child crawling was sinful? they felt by goign around on all fours like animals encouraged a beastial nature and that needed to be "trained" out of them. at least thats what i learned in one history/ anthropology class.

 

[pokey]

wonder what the puritans thoght about poopy diapers....

 

[Beekissed]

I don't know about the Puritans, but I have an old Home Medical Journal from 1910 and the women shaved a soap stick to the appropriate size/shape to insert into the anus of the infant, shortly after meals. This would stimulate a bowel movement. They would then hold a pot between their knees as they were seated and place the baby on their laps over this pot. They were training these babies to have a BM on a schedule!

 

[kagedgoddess]

 

[pokey]

ok.........so not doing that. sometimes people are plain dumb.

 

[CrazyFowlFreak]

A baby or child, for that matter, should never, ever cry itself to sleep. Babies and children need their mamas and daddys most. Bedtime is supposed to be relaxing, soothing, and restful. Not frightening, stressful, and damaging. CIO is, IMO, just plain mean. Hold your babies, sleep with them, wear them, enjoy them. Isn't that why we have babies, to love them?


Also, Pokey, check out http://amitymama.com/ I post over there and lots of other women who have been in your boat and would be thrilled to give you tips and support. <3