Raised cortisol levels from crying, cause of stress in future???

Question

I was talking to someone a couple of months ago about a new theory about how baby's shouldn't be left to just cry it out, because it causes higher cortisol levels, which in turn can be a cause of stress in later life. She had even said that the man who came up with the Ferberizing technique said if he could go back into time he never would have suggested letting babies cry while consoling them in 5 minute increments. Does anyone know about this new research?? What are your thoughts on the subject??

Answer 1

First of all, it's not a theory, it's a fact. Babies who are crying alone *do* secrete a high level of cortisol. And it *can* cause permanent damage. See sources section below.

As far as Ferber goes, he wrote in his original book that his method should only be used on older babies (I think he said 9 months or older). And, yes, he has gone back on a lot of what he wrote.

Answer 2

Ferber has almost completely reversed himself on his "cry it out" program. For at least six months, babies NEED you to acknowledge them when they cry. Believe me, you'll know when they start to "work you," and that's the time you can start letting them fuss a little longer before picking them up. You can also start to encourage self-soothing techniques - you know what? A really good book is "The No-Cry Sleep Solution." It's a rational, non-preachy book of suggestions for you to choose from. It helped us immensely, mostly to reassure us that our instinct to comfort could co-exist with our need to get some rest.

People get all weird and polarized about this subject - I wish I could tell you how important it is to trust your own instincts here. If you are honestly trying to do the best you can, your kid will be okay. That baby WILL start to sleep at night, no matter what.

Good luck!

(edited to add) I forgot to mention that we used swaddling, too, until our fussy girl got control of her hands (after that it just frustrates them more). It worked better than we could have believed - she looked like a baby burrito, but it calmed her down immensely! We learned how from another book and video, "The Happiest Baby on the Block." I was skeptical, but now am so glad we tried it.

Answer 3

When I had my baby I was reading in Dr. Sear's The Baby Book (I highly recommend). It said that babies aren't developed enough to be spoiled, and letting them cry can contribute to insecurity. I thought that made sense and didn't start letting her cry it out until she was much closer to 1 and then mostly when it was nap or bed time. She is 2 1/2 now and doesn't seem spioled or needy...She's quite independant.
I highly recommend checking out Dr. Sear's web site. It's really informative and contains a lot of what he puts in his books (by the way he is a pediatrician, his wife is a pediatric nurse, and they have like 10 or 12 kids).
www.askdrsears.com

A quick search of "crying" on his site yielded several articles. Below is a link to one (Science Says: Excessive Crying Could Be Harmful to Babies) that might really be helpful.
www.askdrsears.com/html/10
/handout2.asp
(I had to put the address on 2 lines because it was cutting off the end of the address)

Answer 4

My son is 5 months old and I never let him cry it out. Of course there are (rare) times that he cries but I'm always there to comfort him. It usually only lasts 2-3 minutes. I strongly believe that parents need to go to their babies right away. They depend on you for everything and I believe it gives them confidence and security. I don't know if it causes stress in the future but I sure know it causes stress at that moment for everyone involved! I look forward to seeing more responses from other parents.

Answer 5

I haven't heard of this! It's vry interestin though.

I don't think my child cried that much as a baby. But when he did I was there for him unless I got really frustrated. Then I would leave him in a room by himself and come back a few moments later. Whatever I did was good for him because now he's a well behaved young man and I wouldn't have him any other way.

Answer 6

I am not faimiler with the research you have mentioned but I agree with the whole principle. Leaving a child to dry is cruel and who knows what damage happens to the child?

I hate reading answers on here when a lady asks how to stop her 4 week old crying and she gets told to let them cry it out or you'll spoil them. You simply cannot spoil a baby that young!

Answer 7

I believe it, that makes sense to me. When there are higher levels of cortisol in a baby their brain develops differently. Every interaction we make with our babies makes new connections in their brains. If they are ignored when they need us they will grow up insecure and untrusting.

Answer 8

could totally be true but if you have ever been a mother or father you know that sometimes they just have to cry nothing you do(feed change oragel) will make them stop and I know that some counselors say that sometimes its good to cry and let out the extra emotions