Local 4 Facebook followers debate 'cry it out' sleep training

Our post generated passionate responses on how to get children to sleep

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Yesterday Local 4 reported on a study concluding it was OK to let babies "cry it out" at bedtime.

Researchers found letting babies cry themselves to sleep caused no short or long-term harm, but many of our Facebook followers took issue with the findings. Others vouched for the study, saying it's how their own children learned to sleep on schedule.

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Here's a sampling of responses:

No, a baby should never cry out out. When a baby cries, there's a reason, even if they just need contact. I call bs on that study. Crying it out causes the baby to believe no one will be there for them to attend to their needs. (38 likes) 

I did it with all four of my kids ... they are great sleepers now. It's important that babies learn to "self soothe". Sure, it's not fun listening to your child cry...but in the long run, it's for the best. As long as they are fed, changed, bathed, & not sick....we let them cry it out. Just my opinion. (15 likes)

Go in a couple of times, lay them back down, let them know you're around and then go get your rest. Kids know how to play a mom...unless they're sick, they cry it out. Seen too many kids run the show, sleep is too important..establish good habits early. (19 likes)

There is a difference between letting your child cry it out and letting your child scream it out. Yes if your child is whimpering and whining, let them go. They will tucker out and fall asleep. But if they are screaming bloody murder, yes you need to help soothe them. If the second they make a peep you appear, they won't learn to calm themselves at all. (6 likes)

I don't believe you should ever leave a baby crying until they go to sleep. It's very upsetting for them and with them not being able to tell you how they feel or what they need how could you just ignore them. I don't believe in spoiling them but I never had to let mine cry it out. Seems cruel to me. (18 likes)

People think nursing, rocking, otherwise helping your baby to sleep will create dependent older children and it simply isn't true. 3/3 of my older children were able to happily put themselves to sleep in their own rooms and beds younger than age 3. (20 likes)

Sleep training? We just called it putting the baby to bed. (17 likes)

Never ever left my son cry himself to sleep when he was a baby. From day one I would rock him to sleep as an infant. As he got to be a toddler the routine every night was bathtime, read to him, a good night kiss and lights out! Once in a while he would start crying and I would just go back in and sit in his room until he was asleep which was a minute or two. No big deal. He needed to know someone was there. He soon grew out of that stage and never had a problem with his sleeping or anything else. All chidren are different but I would not and could not sit and listen my child crying. (3 likes)

This is wrong. Ever heard of psychology research called "trust vs no trust" by Erikson? The first year a child is born is when they develop trust to their parents who bond/don't bond. No HEALTH EFFECTS OF course but PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT Yes. (12 likes)

No. I would never just ignore my baby! Doesn't make them needy either. I have two independent kids 1 & 7 ..my 1 year old won't even let me give him a bite (of what I'm eating) HE has to do it! If my baby is crying they either need food,drink,sleep,diaper or just to feel my love. (1 like)

Thank you for everyone who responded on our Facebook page. We had more than 75 thoughtful and passionate comments on the issue. You can read the whole thread, with compelling arguments on both sides, here. Here is the Mayo Clinic page on "sleep training" for anyone interested in expert tips on helping small children sleep.Â