When to start ignoring baby cries

When to start ignoring baby cries

When to start ignoring baby cries? This is the question most new mom asks. The first thing that comes to your mind when your little champ cries are to pick him up and assure him you’re there and that everything is alright, therefore, as a mom, ignoring your baby while he cries is preposterous. Nevertheless, it could be a chance to teach your baby to self soothe and to be a little more independent. It could be an opportunity for you to study your baby’s cries and what triggers it and how to adequately respond to him.

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How long should you let a newborn cry?

Not long, just a few minutes if you must, because it’s a newborn. Letting a baby cry is the main idea behind the sleep training technique called cry-it-out. It means you let your baby cry for a short period of time before attending to him. Cry-it-out is tricky with newborns because crying is their method of communication, they cry when they need something. They could need a diaper change, they could be hungry, and they could have a fever or may just need you to change their clothing. Besides, you are also still studying your baby and getting to know your little human and trying to learn all the information you can about your baby’s personality.  Hence, letting your baby cry for long is not ideal if they are still new.

Is it ok to let a baby cry if nothing is wrong?

No, it is not because babies don’t cry for no reason. There is always a reason, it may not be one you recognize as a pressing need, but it is always there.  As your baby develops, you will notice some glaring characteristics in your little one, some will be subtle but you can always pick up on them. Psychologically speaking, some babies are secure while others are anxious. An anxious baby is the one who would cry the instant you leave the room, regardless of whether he is surrounded by toys or not. A secure baby will not cry because he feels confident that you will be back. Therefore, when there is no obvious reason for your baby to be upset, still try doing the following:

  1. Reassure the baby, this could be by singing, soothing or shushing the baby,
  2. Rub your hand down the baby’s back or in a round motion,
  3. If you must pick up the baby don’t rush, this may startle and further upset him.

What happens if babies cry too long?

Despite some benefits of letting a baby cry, which includes learning to self soothe and becoming less dependent on the parent or caregiver, it also has its downside. Cry-it-out as a technique has gone through a lot of critiquing in recent years because of the work that is being done on the long-term effect of childhood experiences. While some strong proponents of the technique say that the baby in infancy is still developing neural pathways and will not be permanently scarred by crying bouts, some have said letting a baby cry for too long can have some of these effects:

  1. It may reduce the baby’s ability to trust in you. This means that when the baby eventually went to sleep after crying to exhaustion, he didn’t do so because he finally realized it was bedtime; he did it because he concluded that you’re not coming.
  2. It may have the same effect as when some parents spank their children as punishment. This means that the baby becomes stressed and anxious anytime he needs to cry.

Nonetheless, not all crying results in these effects, it is when a baby cries for a long and extended period without any response. Understand that until your baby begins to really speak, he will communicate with you by crying. You may let him be for a minute or two if you’re sure that nothing is wrong, but do not leave him alone for too long.

How do I stop my baby from crying for attention?

Realize that even when your baby cries ‘unnecessarily’, it could be a chance to learn something about him. It could even be a good sign because your baby knows that he can count on you for whatever he needs and he feels secure that you will respond.

However, there are those instances when your baby wants to be in your arms, or wants to play or just have you in his line of sight otherwise he will throw a fit. In these cases, do not get frustrated, that is a sure recipe for failure. Try some of these techniques:

  1. Ensure that there really isn’t anything wrong with your little champ: Never assume that he is always having an attention-seeking episode, something may really distress your baby.
  2. Distract the baby: There will be instances when he won’t have any of it, however, try giving your child his favorite toy. Something that rattles and makes a continuous sound may fascinate him.
  3. Change the scenery: If your hands aren’t free yet but your baby is jumping around in his crib waiting to be picked up, you can put him in his chair and let him watch you.
  4. Turn it around: instead of becoming frustrated and stressed out, turn it around. Let it become an opportunity to catch up on some floor time or working on taking his first step.

Should I feed my baby every time he cries?

If it’s a newborn, then yes, you should. However, also check for other reasons in case the baby isn’t hungry. Your newborn needs to be fed several times a day to ensure that he is getting the right nutrition and is developing properly. But feeding your baby every time he cries is not advisable because:

  1. It creates an unhealthy eating habit and appetite
  2. It makes the baby hold on to eating as a crutch and a precursor to settling down,
  3. It may not be the reason for the baby’s current fussiness. So you may feed your baby when he is not hungry while the real reason remains unchecked.

The answer to the question raised at the beginning “When to start ignoring baby cries?” is there is no time. You should not in any way ignore your baby when they cry. Before feeding, make sure your baby is hungry or at least ready for another feeding session. Also, minimize how long you allow your baby to cry out and always do something constructive when catering for the times when he seems to seek attention. The little one is still growing, much of what he does now, he will outgrow.

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