1 of 19

Yes

Write now Article Tools

I learned the hard way that you should allow your babies to cry themselves to sleep. It is hard to listen to your child cry. It takes a great amount of will power not to go running in to their rooms to retrieve your child and sooth their tears. For some babies it is the only way to get them to go to sleep themselves.

My daughter was my first child. I was a single mother and was so guilt laden, I could not stand to let her cry. I would go to great pains singing and rocking her to sleep. Once she fell asleep she would stay that way as long as I didn't lay her down. The moment I would put her down she would start screaming and crying.

When I tried to transition her to a crib it was a nightmare. She would cry, cry, and cry some more. Every time I would give in and rescue her. This went on and on, finally I just gave up. She ended up sleeping with me until she was three years old.

When I had my son I was older, wiser, and not a single parent. For me the guilt of being a single parent made me give in every time. The second time around I was able to stick to my guns.

When my son got close to his first birthday I decided it was time for him to sleep in his crib in his room. Well I had decided before then, but my husband was not ready. This time I was going to stick to my guns. Unfortuneately my husband was not as diligent as I.

I would let him cry and my husband would get him out after a short while. This only prolonged the whole process. Instead of taking a few days to a few weeks to get him sleeping on his own it took about three months.

He would cry, but over time this would be less and less. I would check on him to make sure he was perfectly safe. He had to learn that crying would not get him out of bed. Even with my husband being counter productive my son learned this.

For his first birthday we got him one of those sound activated crib toys. It served a dual purpose as a night light and a distraction. It realy helped making the transition smother.

Now he goes to bed without much fuss. Every now and then his schedule gets out of whack. When this happens he does cry again when he goes to bed. It takes any where from a few days to a week to get him back in the habit again.

It is so much harder on the parent than it is on the child. They are quick learners, but we tend to prolong this agonizing process. The guilt gnaws a way at us and we give in. You just have to be persistent and know that crying wont hurt them. In the end it will be worth the fight when you little one has learned how to go to sleep by themselves.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Howard.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Should parents allow their babies to cry themselves to sleep??
We want to hear your view. Write now!