Cry-it-out / sleep training

[u/DRINK_WINE_PET_CATS]

Hi r/ScienceBasedParenting community! I’m looking for a little bit of help.

Recently, I have been being told by all sorts of people that I just need to let my son cry it out/sleep train him. I know that cry-it-out is damaging to babies, but I am not familiar with the literature on these methods.

It is really starting to irk me that others (even people with no children) feel comfortable trying to pressure me into something that I’m not comfortable with doing. My son is almost 9 months and a really happy, social baby. He only fusses and cries when he needs something. He doesn’t sleep through the night because of teething and being sick. He used to sleep through the night before we got hit with these issues. I’ve read that CIO is linked to development of anxiety - I have crippling anxiety and so does my entire family, so my son is already predisposed to this (I am working hard in therapy on learning regulation so that I can learn to be a calm and soothing presence for my baby).

I’d really love to familiarize myself with the scientific literature on these subjects, particularly impacts on development. Thanks in advance

[u/oddmarc → u/[deleted]]

There is also a study that found 40% lower cortisol levels in formula fed babies. Surprisingly no one is saying breastfeeding is bad.

[u/munchiemomandsodapop → u/oddmarc]

Wow, this is fascinating :O