by Lesley Scott

Created on: March 17, 2009

www.lettingyourbabycrycanbehealthy.com

Sometimes is it OK to allow a baby to cry themselves to sleep

When babies cry, most of the time it is because of one or more of three things is happening. Basically, the baby is hungry, sleepy, or needs a diaper change, given the baby is in a healthy state. When the baby is fed, has had sufficient sleep, and a clean diaper, normally babies are content.

The main reason babies cry at bedtime is because the baby needs some sort of security. A pacifier that can't be located causes the baby an insecurity. A blanket or stuffed toy is another method of security, replacing a parent comforting the baby at all times. Another thing that allows a baby to sleep better, is having a bath before bedtime. When all of these methods are performed and the baby is still crying, unless there is a health issue such as colic, or teething, etc. Crying for a baby helps to form greater lung capacity.

There are adults that seem more vocal than others. Typically, voices are louder than others. Singers that can hold a note for an extended period of time have a greater lung capacity than that of a singer that cannot hold a note for a long duration. This ability comes from the lungs having a good air capacity.

The lungs of a human being are similar to the material of a balloon only thinner, and more delicate. When the human baby cries, the volume and duration of the cry can measure how well the lungs are being formed. When a baby cries just at bedtime, the baby will quit eventually. How long is usually based on the stubbornness of the child. In reality, a baby that is allowed to cry themselves to sleep, will have greater lung and respiratory strength as a toddler, teen, adult, etc.

Do not think you are being a neglecting parent by allowing your baby to cry themselves to sleep. If you can tolerate your baby crying, allow it, by all means. You are helping your child fight diseases such as asthma, respiratory problems, and could possibly strengthen the heart, since the pulmonary system and the circulatory system work together.

When you allow your baby to cry themselves to sleep a few times, the problem doesn't persist. The baby, even at such a young age realizes he/she is able to go to sleep by him/herself and gives up on crying. Crying annoys the baby's tolerance also, most babies will put up a little fight before starting to cry, crying being the last alternative. If your baby continues to cry themselves to sleep for a period more than a few nights in a row, there is definitely something else wrong. Consult your doctor.

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