In this episode, we talk about the controversial method of 'Cry It Out' (CIO) or Extinction Sleep Training. This approach, often misunderstood and feared, can be a quick and efficient method to improve a child's sleep. We go deep on the criteria for its successful implementation, discussing age-appropriateness, parental consistency, and prioritizing safety and health. We also cover that the method is not suitable for all children or families, and alternative methods like bedtime fading and pick up/put down are also considered. Finally, we cover importance of sleep training for both children and parents to improve the overall family dynamic. (Full transcript and a video are available here).

Here are the three key take-aways from the episode:

Be open to trying different sleep training methods - What works well for one child's temperament may not work for another. Give a new method 3-5 nights before deciding if it's effective.

"Gentle" is not always better - Sitting in the room while ignoring crying (camping out) can actually prolong upset in some young babies. More separation may help them learn to self-soothe faster.

Cry it out is generally safe when done responsively - Research shows no long term emotional harm. But if excessive crying persists beyond expectations, reevaluate and adjust. Be responsive to your baby's needs.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Sleep Edit





• 00:03 Discussing Cry It Out (CIO) Method





• 00:09 Introducing Arielle Greenleaf





• 01:08 The Controversy Around Sleep Training





• 02:56 Understanding Different Sleep Training Techniques





• 03:43 The Importance of Sleep for Children and Parents





• 04:02 Defining Sleep Training Terms





• 09:21 The Impact of Parenting Styles on Sleep Training





• 09:27 The Role of Attachment Theory in Sleep Training





• 17:03 The Effectiveness of Extinction Sleep Training





• 24:46 Sleep Training in the Era of Room Sharing





• 28:14 The Power of Parental Presence





• 29:12 Understanding the Importance of Age-Appropriate Schedules





• 29:56 The Role of Routine in Sleep Training





• 30:58 The Challenges of Nap Time





• 31:40 Who is Extinction Sleep Training For?





• 33:35 The Importance of Consistency in Sleep Training





• 36:54 The First Year of Life: Sleep Expectations and Realities





• 39:22 The Pitfalls of Sleep Training Methods





• 42:59 The Role of Feeding in Sleep Training





• 45:56 Alternatives to Extinction Sleep Training

Links:

• How long will your baby cry during sleep training?





• How to CIO Sleep Train Your Baby





• Article in Time on why Dr. Sears’ contention about the dangers of crying are false





• Two articles on why sleep training doesn’t hurt your child





• Why you should room share but not bed share in infancy





• Modern family sleep training scene

Questions or feedback? Email us here. We are collecting questions for future Q&A shows!

Assistant producer: Theodore Canapari