Sunday, December 27, 2009

Sleep Training: A Review of Research



The following is a list of resources (articles/websites/books) for research-based information on infant sleep, night time parenting, baby crying, need for nourishment and comfort at night, and physiological body and brain responses to 'controlled crying,' 'cry it out,' or 'sleep training' methods. Also see psychological conditioning studies on learned helplessness (which occurs to babies whose care-givers utilize these methods).


Articles:
(in alphabetical order)

Adventures in Ezzoland


Ask the Experts: Sleep Training

Babies Aren't Soldiers

Babies Breathe Better During Sleep When Rocked

Baby Dreams [poem] 

Baby Sleep: A Review of Research [with links to articles]

Babies: Not Designed to Sleep Alone

Becoming Wise to Babywise [The Ezzo Method, "Growing Kids God's Way"]

Biological Imperatives: Why Babies Do Not and Should Not Sleep Alone

Breastfeeding in Bed: Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom Introduce Baby Flynn

Breastfeeding, Nightwaking: Protection from SIDS

The Case for Cue Feeding

The Con of Controlled Crying

Confessions of a Failed Babywiser

Confessions of an Accidental Cosleeper

CoSleeping Success! 

Crying It Out Causes Brain Damage

The Dangers of Leaving Baby to Cry It Out (CIO)

Dangers of Your Baby 'Crying It Out'

Diverse Contexts of Human Infancy

Dr. William Sears on Growing Kids God's Way/Babywise

Dr. Sears on Babywearing (improves infant sleep, reduces crying and colic)

Excessive Crying Harmful to Babies

Healthy Infant Sleep

Hush Little Baby... [artwork]

I Will Carry You [poem]

Kangaroo Mother Care Saves 2lb Baby (the importance of touch and being held for babies; being close to mom even while asleep)

Milk Drunk (sleeping by baby makes night time parenting much easier!)

Night Time Parenting: A Practical Approach for the Reduction of Attachment Disorders and the Promotion of Emotionally Secure Children

Night Waking Protects Against SIDS

The No-Cry Sleep Solution

On Becoming Elderwise: Caring for Grandma God's Way

Our Bed [poem]

Peacefully Parented Babies Grow to Be Smarter, Kinder Kids  

Peaceful Parenting: Following Your Instincts

Pediatric Nurse and Former Ezzo Parent

Primal Love and Mothering

Reason 742 to Share Sleep

Rooting While at Rest [poem]

The Science of Sharing Sleep 

Seven Benefits of CoSleeping

Shaking a Crying Baby Causes Brain Damage

She's Not 'High Needs' - She's Vivacious! 



Websites:


Ezzo Information Website

Jay Gordon (Sleep: Changing Patterns in the Family Bed)

Parents Against Babywise (Facebook Page)


To connect with other parents and get in on Sleep Forums:
SafeBedSharing.Org

William Sears (31 Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep)


Books:

The No-Cry Sleep Solution

The Baby Sleep Book

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

The Baby Bond

The Science of Parenting

Our Babies, Ourselves

Why Love Matters

Nighttime Parenting

The Natural Child: Parenting from the Heart

The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Natural Family Living

The Baby Book

The Continuum Concept: In Search of Happiness Lost

Baby Matters (first edition of The Baby Bond)

The Fussy Baby Book

The Premature Baby Book

Attachment Parenting: A Commonsense Guide to Understanding & Nurturing Your Baby

Primal Health: Understanding the Critical Period Between Conception and the First Birthday

The Attachment Connection: Parenting A Secure & Confident Child

Attachment Parenting: Instinctive Care for Your Baby & Young Child

Mothering Magazine 

Baby Sleep Books Collection 



"Crying-it-out does not lead to 'sleeping through the night' - it results in learned helplessness."
~ Danelle Frisbie


~~~~~


Labels: , , , , , , , Posted by JK

59 comments:

  1. Great list of links and articles. Thanks!
    ReplyDelete
  2. With all the stress of "Controlled Crying" causes the infant, I wonder... Their cortisone (stress hormone) must be off the charts! That cannot be good for a growing brain. Read an article about the "love hormone" reducing the likelihood of autism and thought the opposite, "stress hormones" increasing the odds of autism... hmmmm...
    ReplyDelete
  3. YAY! I love validation that I am doing something right.... it seems that I get more crap from people. This reinforcement really helps!
    ReplyDelete
  4. Cool list. With all the controversy around cry it out interventions, I really do wonder about the developmental implications for the child and the emotional trauma for the mothers. When I have some time I would also love to read feminist perspectives on the effect of sleep training on a mother's perception of her competencies. I'm sure there are many interesting papers to be read.
    ReplyDelete
  5. Zenbuoyant, I wondered the same thing recently. When did "cry it out" start becoming more common in the US? It seems like it's been in the last 40-60 years. Is there a correlation, at least, to the raise in autism?

    I'd love to hear of any articles or studies on that subject, if you know of any!
    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a great list of resources. I will gladly forward this along to my fellow moms. Thanks!
    ReplyDelete
  7. I have just discovered this blog and all I have to say is Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!
    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for this great list of articles. It only seems natural that families would sleep together. I am glad that there are scientific studies and sleep research being done to support what mothers do and feel intuitively.
    ReplyDelete
  9. No way, not happening in this house lol, never has. I rock my 1 year old to sleep and have a good schedule for that. I layed down with my other two til they fell asleep and did that til they started school and that worked too. I just can't see how having your child cry themselves to sleep every night is healthy. Parents are suppose to nurture their children. That's my opinion.
    ReplyDelete
  10. My little boy is 2, and while its been hard to deal with his sleep issues, I would much rather have sore arms, a sore back and a headache from putting him to sleep in a calm, nurturing way than allowing him to scream until he falls asleep through exhaustion. There's the 4 month old now =)
    ReplyDelete
  11. leaving them to sleep alone..is sort of a form of abandonment..I never did it..I'm 12 weeks now and wont be leaving mine to cry it out EVER..it just instills fear and why am I not being listened to..which makes for a child with rejection issues
    ReplyDelete
  12. If it would be wrong to do it to a bed-ridden senior with difficulty communicating its wrong to do it to a baby.
    ReplyDelete
  13. nothing better to get baby to sleep than nursing..been doing it almost every night for over 4 years.
    ReplyDelete
  14. We used the book, The No-Cry Sleep Solution, for our daughter, who never, ever wants to be alone. It has worked wonderfully and built such rich bonds!

    http://astore.amazon.com/peacefparent-20/detail/0071381392
    ReplyDelete
  15. I agree with Rachel 100%. I can't even imagine letting my baby or child cry themselves to sleep.
    ReplyDelete
  16. There are hundreds of ways to be well rested, and to help your child be well rested as well, without putting them into the dangerous position that CIO puts them in, developmentally. The negative effects of excess cortisol on brain development are far reaching and, just because they may not be noticeable immediately does not mean that there was no harm done.
    ReplyDelete
  17. ive never had to wry about this, we still co-sleep with my 32 month old and breastfeed. she has always been an amazing sleeper and from just a few wks old would sleep throughout the whole night, and would just naturally latch on without actually fully waking up! i dont think i would ever have the heart to listen to her cry....in my opinion it just "feels" wrong to try to have a wee little one deal with their own emotions and crying. i immediately comfort my little girl over any situation and i have a daughter who feels secure and who is extremely well behaved....but thats just my opinion, every mother and child relationship is different! ♥
    ReplyDelete
  18. We have never let our babies just cry. We have also Co-slept for with all our babies. 18mos and counting with our baby girl! ... However, everybody is sleeping through the night and happy!
    ReplyDelete
  19. ...and melissa i rock and sing my wee one to sleep as well! i think its absolutely beautiful!
    ReplyDelete
  20. What does "self soothe" mean for a baby? they are left alone and have to deal with not being responded to when their only form of communication (crying) is failing them. at the very least they learn they are alone and they learn their resources (crying/communication) aren't serving them.
    ReplyDelete
  21. When my first was brand new, I thought that CIO was crucial, and that soothing, rocking, and bed-sharing were damaging to his character as well as his physical development. By two weeks, this exhausted mommy (who was recovering from a c-section) said, "to he'll with it!" I brought him to bed with me and never looked back.

    That's when I started more peaceful parenting practices. My second was home-born, and has never slept anywhere but at my breast. We now sleep 2 adults, 2 kids, a dog, and a cat in a double--yes, DOUBLE--bed. Although my toddler has recently spent some nights on a mattress on the floor beside our bed. These days pass SO quickly! I don't want to lose a moment. Plus, I like getting a full night of mostly uninterrupted sleep. :)
    ReplyDelete
  22. Your baby spent 9 months cradled in your womb safe and sound. The way I see it, when you give birth to that child.. putting him or her in a crib to just "cry it out" until they finally fall asleep with exhaustion is NOT healthy. I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees it this way.

    When I just THINK about letting my little girl lay in her crib to only cry herself to sleep it breaks my heart. All babies/little children want that closeness. They want to be held, they want to feel your arms around them because that's what makes them feel safe.

    I hate sleeping alone and when my husband is deployed I will get her out of her bed and just cuddle with her. It makes me feel good as well as her. And waking up to her opening her eyes looking back at me and the first thing she does is smile a big smile... ahhhh, the love I feel. Ok... I'm done lol.
    ReplyDelete
  23. My husband is presently lying down with our 8 year old as I type, one handed because I'm holding our 6 month old baby. He also rocked our 27 month old to sleep and read to our 5 year old until he slept. It's fine. We like them.
    ReplyDelete
  24. :o) yea ditto what Wendy said...
    ReplyDelete
  25. They grow up so fast, and you look back and wish you had more time to hold and sing to them, rock them, cuddle them, and just love them. I couldn't help but just hold my babies and stare at them in amazement and love - and smell their heads, kiss their little cheeks, look at their tiny fingers and toes.... life is just too short to spend it being angry at these little wonders, and it's too short for them to spend it crying and feeling alone. You don't know how long you will get with them, so enjoy it while you can. Hold them, love them, kiss them, smell them, smile at them, sing to them, dance with them.... and be very very happy that you are lucky enough to have them.
    ReplyDelete
  26. Reading these posts from such loving parents WARMS my heart.

    I have 3 children and 2 are babies in diapers ( 10 months apart)... They have all co-slept an will until they are ready. My older daughter went to her room at 4, on her own. We have our 1 and 2 year old with us all night our arms and it's wonderful. It's sad the reasons people "justify" using the CIO technique... They don't want to be up all night, don't want to be kicked, don't want to "not be able to get rid of them" later.... It's unreal.

    Anyway, it's very loving to hear all your wonderful comments.
    ReplyDelete
  27. All I know is that Elizabeth Mitchell cd's are magic in helping put our little ones to sleep. Awesome music for play and sleep!

    http://astore.amazon.com/peacefparent-20/detail/B00007LB2W
    ReplyDelete
  28. I know there are different types of cries and my daughter does some of them.

    I love to co-sleep and do it all the time and have done it from the day she came home from the hospital. Sometimes she wakes up and starts crying so I go in, lay her back down and pat her bottom until she goes back to sleep. If after 3 tries this doesn't work, she goes STRAIGHT to bed with me.

    I just can't stand to hear a few people I know state how they put their kid to sleep... lay them in their bed, shut the door and walk away. I can't do that. I don't know many people with a heart that could.
    ReplyDelete
  29. Children are people, too :(
    ReplyDelete
  30. What's wrong with comfort? Even if a school-aged child sleeps with their parents, they are obviously going to grow out of it before college, LOL. So, what's wrong with it? They aren't going to be little for long- might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
    ReplyDelete
  31. Our son co slept and nursed through the night until he was 14 months and we laid down with him to sleep until he was..well, he's 4 now and sometimes we still do:) But we love it. Sometimes he sleeps with us just because it's fun:) Our daughter however wants to be in her crib (which makes me sad) and wants to sleep alone! So strange. SOmeone else said it, different kids need different things but I could never leave an infant to CIO. HORRIBLE.
    ReplyDelete
  32. Me too (sleep sharing, attending to my baby and toddlers). CIO just doesn't make sense.
    ReplyDelete
  33. I just really don't get why people think that rocking/nursing/singing/cuddling their child to sleep is such a bad thing? Bad because it takes 45 minutes of your day? Is it such a hassle.... really?
    ReplyDelete
  34. I find it hard to comprehend why someone would post in favor of CIO on the Peaceful Parenting Facebook page. Perhaps there is some confusion as to what peaceful parenting means? Research does not support CIO. But research does show that bedsharing does not psychologically damage children. Indeed, much of the world does without a second thought. Humans are carry mammals, not cache mammals. Our young are meant to be close to us at all times.
    ReplyDelete
  35. We never let any of our 4 babies CIO and coslept with all too. As for studies about after-effects of CIO and not, the studies actually show the benefits in MANY areas are for the babies who are not left to CIO. Here's some: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-23788-Mankato-Attachment-Parenting-Examiner~y2009m12d29-Attachment-Parenting-101-Ten-reasons-crying-it-out-is-bad-for-babies
    ReplyDelete
  36. Crying is a form of communication. I have 4 children and not one so far has ever cried because they were happy, felt safe or wanted to take my time. The have all cried because of a need. I don't agree with CIO, ever. Just because the night falls doesn't mean it is ok to not be a parent.

    My oldest sleep in a crib in my room for a period of time, then in her own room; never a tear. My 2nd sleep in our room much longer, then in her own room and bed when she was ready and ask but returned to our room often until 2 years ago; she's 10. Our 3 year old sleeps in her own room and my husband lays with her until she falls asleep or is comfortable being alone. She comes to our bed at times. Our 15 month old has a crib next to my side of the bed but spends most of her night between mom and dad.

    There should not be fear or tears at bedtime. Children should be comforted to sleep!!
    ReplyDelete
  37. So many sleep books claim to be gentle, but really say nothing but some form of "controlled crying". We feel that our babies need to learn we are there when they need us, not "you're on your own to learn to go to sleep". We go with Dr. Sears philosophy of helping them learn that "sleep is a happy state to enter and a pleasant state to remain." Still having trouble with our 1 yr old, but our 3 1/2 yr old finally learned when he was about 1 1/2 - 2 yrs old that sleep is good.
    ReplyDelete
  38. Go dr sears- his book was a revelation to me when he said it's not our job as a parent to teach independence, but to be our child's security. What I've seen in my own environment, is kids that were forced to sleep on their own (non- babywearing) tend to be clingy when they are older, because they didn't have that security, and my own daughters who had every need met have come into their own independence as they were ready.

    The Baby Sleep Book
    http://astore.amazon.com/peacefparent-20/detail/0316107719
    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm so glad that I never gave in to letting my baby cry out of "convenience", even with all the old-school advice we kept getting (parenting isn't supposed to be "convenient" - I love what one poster wrote about the fact that just because night falls doesn't mean parenting stops! :) - he's now at an age where he understands we will meet his needs consistently, and that we are right across the hall if he needs us. It's wonderful to know his little mind is working that way, and that by not letting him CIO, we instilled his very first lessons of sensitivity and empathy. I would not trade a moment of rocking him to sleep or snuggling next to him for anything - he's already on the go so much during the day that nighttimes have become our "reconnection" times, as well! :)

    I'm also happy we understand what is normal about infant development, so we could work through our frustrating moments with more patience. Babies' brains need to be alert even in sleep during the early months to develop, and waking establishes a biorhythm with mom as a primitive survival instinct - perhaps if our society would embrace these patterns as the normalcy they are, then parents wouldn't be so quick to turn to books when they believe their babies are "abnormal", or to solve problems that aren't really problems at all. We are seeing generation after generation of disconnected kids stemming from early detachment because parents turned to those "manuals" and didn't get to know their children though reading their cues; at the time, no one was aware of the long-term consequences. We know better now, and we have to do better for our children!

    As adults, we don't expect to sleep alone! And we expect comfort and support if *we* are upset and crying about something, too. We can't pick and choose the moments our kids need us, and we can't dismiss their needs as "inconsequential" (how do *we* know it's not a valid need? Sometimes babies just need to be held, bottom line). By showing them sensitivity early on, and keeping them close, they will turn into trusting, independent children and adults, with a wonderful sense of empathy for others, and confidence in their own decision-making abilities because they themselves were nurtured.
    ReplyDelete
  40. Crystal - I love that part about not teaching independence, but giving security. That's exactly right! Independence comes from being securely attached in the early years, even though the benefits are not readily apparent - something some people don't have the patience for, to the detriment of their children. In our society, we want what we want when we want it, and we expect our babies to just adapt to us, instead of the other way around. I've seen firsthand how forcing my first son into independence too early has negatively impacted him 7 years later, with oversensitivity, and a lack of self-confidence in his decision making, because he was unprepared to enter each stage of development - thank goodness for Dr. Sears, and having another child (which I parented so differently and am now seeing such a difference in our relationship) so I can work on those things with my older one! :)
    ReplyDelete
  41. It's funny how we have lost faith in our children. I know I'm fortunate to have grown up in a family where things like CIO were condemned. I learned a lot about how children act and grow when their needs are met without manipulation or conditioning.

    So I guess it's just easier for me to have faith through the few hard nights and know that I am raising a person right here, right now, not a creature that needs to be molded into a person at some later age.

    DD has never been forced in any sleeping routine or method, nor has she been left alone or to CIO.

    Thanks to my family experience, I expressed no surprise when she began laying down in the family bed and falling asleep all by herself. Although I do have that bittersweet mama twinge in my heart to see her growing up!

    It's so sad to think of the way little people are treated simply to drive results that happen on their own anyways. Every child eventually stops nursing, stops rocking, stops cuddling and grows up...Cherish and love them while they are little. ♥
    ReplyDelete
  42. Mahriam - EXACTLY! "Humans are carry mammals, not cache mammals. Our young are meant to be close to us at all times."
    ReplyDelete
  43. LOVE that you compiled this information, LOVE that it's well researched and put together, and I LOVE your site...thanks :)

    Would you mind if I linked to this page on my blog?



    PenPoint Editorial Services
    http://www.penpointeditorial.com
    ReplyDelete
  44. HS ~ spreading accurate information is always a good thing. You are welcome to link. Thank you for your feedback. :)
    ReplyDelete
  45. I stumbled upon your blog from a link posted by a local retailer. I have read and re-read so many articles, my eyes are red! :)
    Parenting my little ones has been a challenge. I am often called a "hippie" or "unconventional" for my belief in breastfeeding, baby-wearing, co-sleeping and having my sons intact.
    Feeling alone for many years with so many people on my case about how I am raising my children had left me bitter, until I got to this blog!
    It is refreshing and so helpful to find women out there like me!
    I just want to say thanks!!!! I have a renewed sense and am proud of being an "attatchment" parent!
    ReplyDelete
  46. Oh my - just the pics make me wanna cry for those babes.
    ReplyDelete
  47. I have to admit that some nights, I sneak out to my DD's little bed if they are all peaceful with daddy.. but other than that, I have been sleeping with increasing amounts of children in my bed for over 5 years! Change your thoughts, change your mind...

    There is nothing more satisfying to waking up to what we call our family pretzel, though - me and dh, ds (4), dd (almost 3) and the bb(almost 2) and yes, in a single bed! <3

    When woeking at the Newman clinic, it is one of my bigggest joys to say "yes, you absolutely can bed-share! and here's how to make it safe.... so you can get more sleep and be with your baby". Most moms just need permission since they get such confrontation about it from others.
    ReplyDelete
  48. We've done AP since the git-it's 11 years later and we're doing it with the 3rd.
    We have healthy, happy children as a result.
    ReplyDelete
  49. I find it amazing that parents and caregivers look for so many remedies for baby to sleep better without considering massage. Why? I sleep much deeper, sounder and much better after a massage don't you? I just completed a critical review for my PhD prelminary exam on the many benefits of Infant Massage. IM is so powerful that even mothers who reported depression symptoms and "watched" their babies' being massaged reported less symptoms afterwards, after fathers massaged their babies' the babies initiated engagement behaviors such as eye contact and verbal sounds to get their father's attention, volunteers who massaged babies reported more life satisfaction....see massaging babies is the gift that keeps on giving....good for baby and the person providing massage. Maybe, just maybe we could withdraw from the world long enough to massage a baby to sleep?
    ReplyDelete
  50. This is quite an extensive list..I will have to check these out when I have time. I never realized "CIO" was such an issue, especially in early infancy. I have 2 sons and now an infant daughter...All three were kept in my bedroom next to the bed in a crib until at least 6 months, and I slept and napped with them in my bed at every opportunity. co-sleeping helps with night-time nursing as well. I never imagined a parent would let a very small baby cry themselves to sleep...young babies need the most attention, care and stimulation for healthy development. Cuddling, sleeping with, nursing/feeding anytime they are hungry, and even just speaking to and touching your baby to soothe them can only promote healthy normal development... not spoil the child. Unless my child is old enough for "fake" crying and temper-tantrums, I at least check on them at any sound they make. If my baby cries, it needs something...food, drink, a more comfortable temperature, a clean diaper, a change in position, to be spoken to or held, or just a soft touch and to know Mama is there and they are safe. My one-month-old little girl Rose gets fretful if she does not get some close one-on-one cuddle time with both myself and her daddy each day, and just adores having her big brothers close.
    ReplyDelete
  51. My husband and I co-sleep with our 3 year old and 8 month old in a king bed. We are all happy and sleep wonderfully. I wouldn't have it any other way.
    ReplyDelete
  52. Thank you SO much for compiling this! Now if only I could think of ways to warn mama friends who are given these sleep training books... (hint hint)
    ReplyDelete
  53. Thank you for this! I am always looking for more resources to point parents (and their in-laws) to with regards to this topic :)
    ReplyDelete
  54. Its abandonment. Its dangerous. Its cruel. And it has no basis is in science.
    ReplyDelete
  55. I have never been able to understand how someone could make a baby cry themselves to sleep. I never could. We slept with our oldest until he was 2, when his sister was born, then DH slept with him and I slept with the new baby. Now, at 7, DS usually sleeps in his own bed and DD (5) usually sleeps in hers, while DD (18 months) sleeps with us. I can't imagine doing it any other way. I helps with breastfeeding, as well.
    ReplyDelete
  56. That first picture is really disturbing. Absolutely everything about it is wrong! Bumpers, a puppy pad (which means there is a PLASTIC liner), loose blankets, monitor with cord attached IN the crib... oh and the crying baby!
    ReplyDelete
  57. I have a friend who lets her son "Cry it Out" and I have NEVER in my life known of a child who is soooo detatched emotionally. He does not like to be cuddled, kissed, rocked, loved on, hugged etc. He seems extremely behind developmentally and doesn't say much at all. She also did the CIO method with her daughter and she is very whiney, needy, demanding, emotional, COMPLETELY dependent, and insecure. It seems as if it is easier on the mom but there is something about the children being sooooo detatched from affection... :(
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have seen similar effects, its exactly wehat i would expect - if you teach your baby no will do anything when you cry, no one will comfort you if you need someone, can you really expect them to ha capacity for empathy/sympathy to anyone else as they grow up? Is absoluty heartbreaking, sad and scary to see what kind of people are being made out of these methods.
      Delete
  58. I was also very disapointed to see an episode of 'Heartland', on cbc - a show that is generally positive and promotes respect and positivity relating to animals and people. The episode was of the older sister whos baby was having sleep problems - so they decided to do the crying it out method - was so disapointed to see that on a tv show that i had generally liked, and wondering how many mothers/parents were influenced by seeing it.
    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails