do you let your infant cry themselves to sleep?

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Do you have a small radio, white noise machine, or a table fan that you can run at night? Some babies sleep better when there is some kind of noise. Inside the womb is a noisy place, with your heartbeat, tummy noises, and all that stuff. Some kind of background noise might help.

 

[debilorrah]

there are different kinds of crys. If it was an I WANT MOMMY cry then no, but if it I was I AM SO TIRED cry, then yes - it never lasted for longer than a few minutes when he was tired.

 

[photo chick]

I haven't read all the replies but the answer is YES....when they are much much older. A 3 week old is supposed to cry. You need to feed a 3 week old every 1-3 hours even through the night. To leave a three week old to cry is, in my opinion...complete negligence.

We have the most laid back pediatrician around and he says it's OK to start sleep training when they are 6 months old. They usually have enough body fat to last them through the night. I let all 3 of my children cry it out but they were 12 months, 9 months and 15 months (it's much easier to be a softie with the last one!)
Mean time...feed your precious little one through the night then grab some sleep during the day with your baby. Good luck.

 

[MysticScorpio82]

Quote:
What is different between night and day for your baby? Is there no light at all at night (like a nightlight)? Is there more noise during the day (could be a comfort sound)? Just something to think about

Some babies like the "white noise" like a vaccume, radio (people voices), and lights, So if things like that are different at night- it's dark and quiet- that could be why she has trouble sleeping at night.

As regards to spoiling a 3 week old by not letting them cry it out...I think that is hogwash. No it won't hurt the baby to cry IF you know it has been feed, changed, burped, etc, but you can never ever spoil a baby by showing it the security that all of her needs will be met when she needs them.

You do what you feel is best and ignore mom's advice.

 

[maplesky7]

white noise is good.

I've always used a fan.

My mom came to me the other day and had heard that a fan circulating
the air in the room is good for the baby...something to do with sids, she heard.

I never knew that...I just did it and it worked.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

As just about everyone else has said, you cannot spoil a tiny baby. You are biologically programmed to be distressed when you hear your infant cry--meaning "go to him/her."

Find some books about rearing babies that you in general agree with and read through them over and over. You are the expert on your child. Occasionally ask advice from those whose parenting style you approve, but don't necessarily bring up any "problems" with those whose style is different than yours.

In the future don't tell your mom about things that will open the door for unwanted opinions. To the question of "how is she sleeping?" answer "like a baby!" To the question of "how often does she eat?" answer "we have the perfect schedule down" (And you do--you feed her when she expresses hunger.) or "right on target for what all the books and the doctor say" or something similar. Ask her opinion on things that don't matter to you, or reminesce about your infant-hood so that she doesn't feel completely left out, but make sure you are obviously in-charge.

Baby-hood goes so very fast--it seem like only a very short time ago I was at the same stage as you--but my youngest just turned 16, and the oldest (on whom I "learned") is 23.

 

[Msbear]

My son didn't get into a sleeping pattern til 8 months!! A 3 wk old baby just isn't ready for that. A baby that age cries for a reason, hungry, tired, dirty, cranky, gassy, etc. Enjoy all this time even though it's exhausting because before ya know it, it's gone... And trust me, you'll even miss the sleepless nights.

We let Wyatt "cry it out" at around 6 or 7 months. We went in and let him know we're there, give him a kiss then leave. Start with 5 min. then work up to 10 then 20 then... hopefully, the little booger's asleep!!

Anyway, it's your baby so don't think Im preaching on you.... just my thoughts

 

[CarriBrown]

At 3 weeks old, I didn't leave my son to cry. IMO, they are still getting to know you, and at that point in their life, you're the only thing they have. They are getting used to this crazy world and Mom and Dad are supposed to be people they can count on.
At around two months, I was able to tell the difference between the "I'm hungry/wet/sick/etc" cry and the "I'm crying to wind down" cry. Sometimes babies just cry. But now that he's six months, yes, I do let him cry. Only for a few minutes. It never lasts longer than that. We are on a schedule and if he doesn't nap for as long as he usually does, I can anticipate that he will need to go down earlier. I can see in his face that he's tired, and I know what his signals are. He will sometimes fight the nap and that's why I give him 5-10 minutes to cry it out. If he's not asleep by then, I get him and reassess.
I was in your shoes just six short months ago. I know how you feel and I promise it will get better.

I was miserable when Blake was 3 weeks. It's such a change and, yes we have instincts, but I am so anxious and over think EVERYTHING. Now, it is so much fun.
Just make sure your baby is fed, clean, safe and comfortable and you can't go wrong. Everything will fall into place.

 

[Elite Silkies]

I have twins and I never let them cry themselves to sleep, although, sometimes I cried myself to sleep

I feel if they are crying, they are needing something.

I wish I could have afforded the vibrating mattress, it was too expensive though. So, I used the vibrating bouncy chairs, and they loved it.

If you could afford the mattress, I think they would sleep much better. I would give my babies massages too. They have to get sore.

 

[bigkford]

I have 5 kids and everyone was different. My oldest son who is 21 slept through the night the first week we brought him home. He was the easiest of them all. My second a daughter was born naturally but brich was a nightmare. She got her days and nights mixed up by time she was two weeks old. Took 3 months to get that straightened around. Trying to keep her awake myself awake and take care of my three year old son at the time during the day seemed impossible. But I did it. My last three were different too, each had their own needs and you can only do what feel right to you. With my daughters dad had to go to them instead of mom. It was just something they needed. That might help. Have dad get up for some of the night time feedings. Or just soothe her. It made a big difference here.