CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

A Case for 'Crying It Out'

save article
profile picture of Anisa Arsenault
By Anisa Arsenault, Associate Editor
Updated March 2, 2017
Hero Image
Image: Shutterstock

Like any sleep training strategy, the Ferber method has its supporters and critics. Letting baby “cry it out” can make you feel like an inattentive parent. But how else are they supposed to learn?

Good news for parents looking to give it a go: About a quarter of infants who wake up crying are able to settle themselves back to sleep on their own, according to the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. And if you let them “autonomously resettle,” as researchers call it, they’re more likely to sleep for prolonged periods at night.

Sound too tough? The Ferber method works gradually — allowing for “controlled crying.” You can return to a crying baby’s room, waiting longer intervals to enter each night.

This particular study, conducted at the University of London, involved 100 infants between 5 weeks and 3 months old. And the results are promising for self-soothers: 67 percent of babies who could resettle themselves at 5 weeks old were sleeping for over five hours straight by the end of the study.

This could be the reassurance you need not to run to the nursery at every screech of the monitor. Even if you don’t want to go full-on Ferber, consider giving baby a chance to get himself back to sleep.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

mother holding crying newborn baby
What to Know About the Period of PURPLE Crying
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
dad holding upset, crying baby
11 Reasons Why Babies Cry—And How to Soothe Their Tears
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
infant in mother's lap
What to Know About Using Gripe Water for Colic and Tummy Troubles
By Korin Miller
ADVERTISEMENT
tired mother holding crying baby
The US Could Use a ‘Crybaby Ambulance,’ but Here’s How to Get Help Now
By Wyndi Kappes
Soothe Your Colicky Baby With This Viral TikTok Hack
Soothe Your Colicky Baby With This Viral TikTok Hack
By Wyndi Kappes
close up of mother holding the back of newborn baby's head
What to Do When Baby Won’t Stop Crying
By Kristen Kemp
colic in babies, newborn baby crying
Colic 101: How to Help Soothe Your Colicky Baby
By Stacey Feintuch
ADVERTISEMENT
dad holding crying baby
This Machine Can Reportedly Tell You Why Baby Is Crying
By Stephanie Grassullo
hilary duff commensurates about her baby that has colic
Hilary Duff's Newborn Is Suffering From a Condition Every New Parent Dreads
By Stephanie Grassullo
new app chatterbox can decode baby's cries
Shazam for Wails: This App Can Tell You the Reason Why Baby Is Crying
By Sarah Hooper
ADVERTISEMENT
Will Probiotics Solve Baby’s Colic Problem?
Will Probiotics Solve Baby’s Colic Problem?
By Kylie McConville
colic in babies, newborn baby crying
AAP: Probiotics Might Help Colic After All
By Anisa Arsenault
Hot Topic: Cry it Out
Point & Counterpoint: Cry It Out
By The Bump Editors
ADVERTISEMENT
Retro black and white photo of baby crying in playpen.
Normal Crying vs. Excessive Crying: How to Tell the Difference
By The Bump Editors
Study Says Letting Baby “Cry It Out” Isn’t Harmful
Study Says Letting Baby “Cry It Out” Isn’t Harmful
By Leah Rocketto
Q&A: Why Is Baby Crying?
Q&A: Why Is Baby Crying?
By Conner Herman and Kira Ryan
A Totally Legitimate Guide to Decoding Your Baby's Cries
A Totally Legitimate Guide to Decoding Your Baby's Cries
By Sara Given
ADVERTISEMENT
Q&A: Dairy and Colic?
Q&A: Dairy and Colic?
By Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA
When It’s More Than Just Crying: Baby Colic Signs and Remedies
When It’s More Than Just Crying: Baby Colic Signs and Remedies
By Stacey Feintuch
What Should I Do When Baby Won't Stop Screaming?
What Should I Do When Baby Won't Stop Screaming?
By Tammy Gold
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List