How long do you let your baby cry before you pick them up?

Question

I don't necessarily believe this is a hard question to answer without details about my situation. I want to know what you do. What I do is really irrelevant.

Answer 1

I usually put my son down at night in the crib and let him "cry it out" for about 5 minutes before I pick him up- most of the time he will put himself to sleep within those 5 minutes, but if not then there is usually something wrong (gas, dirty diaper, hungry, etc).... It is a good way for him to learn to soothe himself.

Answer 2

It depends on the cry. You know your baby's cries if you pay any attention. There's the angry one, I'm hurt, I have a burp, I'm hungry, I just need attention. Which cry is it? Is there something wrong or are they just trying to settle themselves to take a nap? Think before you react so they don't get too used to being picked up at every little sound. I'd highly recommend the book Baby Wise, we have a 3 month old who is sleeping 11 hours a night and taking great naps during the day and we owe it all to the principles in this book. It's hard work but it's totally worth it to enjoy being a parent and keep your sanity.

Answer 3

It really depends on what she's crying about... my daughter is a year old and sometimes she cries over something silly and for that I don't pick her up at all, she'll cry for a second and then start playing again but if I were to pick her up, she'd cry for five minutes, it's a weird thing that babies do. If she's hurt or something like that, I pick her up right away... just use your judgement depending on the situation... no matter what, your child should not cry for longer than 5 minutes without being acknowledged... like when I'm cooking and my daughter wants or needs something, I can't pick her up right then but I'll look at her and tell her that mommy will be just a second. It really helps.

Answer 4

Depends on the cry. If its a distress or hunger cry I'm right there to get her. If she's frustrated I give her a minute to figure things out. If she's bored, sometimes I pick her up, but most of the time I try to find something new and interesting for her. If she's going to sleep she usually only cries for about a minute then she's out, if she cries longer than 5 minutes I go check on her to make sure things are okay. She's 4 1/2 months old.

Answer 5

Well, once you check and see that baby is fed, burped, diaper changed, not in any pain, ect... it's possible he/she might just need some attention or playtime, depending on age. If I know my babies are taken care of with all of the above, I sometimes let them cry for about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes if they are fighting sleep, but if they continue, I hold them for a little while, then try putting them in swing. I don't like for a baby to cry too much, because that's the only way they can let us know their wants & needs.

Answer 6

It really depends on age and the type of cry. When they are a few days old I'm not gonna let them cry more than a few seconds. You can't spoil an infant. Where as my nine month old I let him cry himself to sleep and sometimes that can take up to 30 minutes. Yes, I check on him every few minutes. And if I can interpret which cry it is... wet, hungry, tired, or in pain. Then it varies. In pain-that high, high pitched cry, I pick him up right away. The others I'll talk to him until I can pick him up. I have five kids so sometimes I can't get to him right away if he's just wet or wants attention.

Answer 7

That depends on why they are crying. If they hit their face on the door frame when trying to walk I run to them. If I know they are exhausted and in bed... oh, 1/2 hour or so... depending on how hard they are crying. If it's at the top of their lungs and unusual for them maybe just 5 or 10 minutes and then I rock them until I think they might be ready to go down. There's no answer for every occasion.

Answer 8

Depends on how old. If it is a new born to around a year old, pick them up right away. Crying is th eonly way they can communicate, and they only cry when they need something. They haven't yet developed the ability to cry just cuz they want something. If your child is older than a year, then it depends on why he is crying. If he is just throwing a fit, don't pick him up at all until he calms down. Anytime your chid need ssomething or has been hurt or even percieves he has been hurt, you should comfort him. By him knowing he can depend on you, will actually allow him to become independent. Good luck.

Answer 9

what are the specifics? How old is the baby, and what is the situation? If it's a newborn, I wouldn't wait at all. If it's a nine moth old that woke up in the middle of the night, I would wait a few minutes to see if they went back to sleep on their own.

Hard question to answer without details.

Answer 10

When they're a newborn (0-3 months) immediately.... I couldnt stand hearing them cry :'(
Once they were a little older 3-6 months, 5 minutes
6+ months about 10 minutes.
I could tell a fake cry from a "mommy I need you!"