Crying It Out: The Debate (VIDEO)

posted by Michele Zipp April 6, 2011 at 2:24 PM in Baby

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I had the opportunity to talk about crying it out on NYC's local WPIX news today for their "Mom's the Word" segment. It's a topic I am very passionate about -- very passionate against. I do not believe in letting your baby cry it out. Not for 30 minutes. Not for 10 minutes. Not at all. Babies don't manipulate -- they don't have wants, they have needs. And as a mom of 16-month-old twins, I have to help them with their needs whether they need a diaper or need to be held. Babies cannot speak, so crying is the way they communicate. If your baby said, "Hey mom, can you hold me? I just had a bad dream and really need you to tell me it's going to be okay," would you ignore your child?

I believe that if we ignore a baby's cry, it's like we are turning our backs on them. It's like we are saying their needs don't fit into our busy lifestyle. That our beauty sleep is more important than them. Ignoring isn't going to train your child to sleep.

Dr. Seuss Has the Best 'Attachment Parenting' Quote

posted by Christie Haskell March 2, 2011 at 2:48 PM in Baby

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There's a lot of confusion as to exactly what Attachment Parenting is. Is it natural parenting? Some hippie movement? Helicopter parenting? Parenting influenced by Dr. Seuss?

Perhaps those who are AP spent some time in Seussville along with their reading of Dr. Sears. Yes, the birthday guy, Dr. Seuss, has one single quote which I think sums up the idea of AP easily:

Storming the IRS & Crying About It: The Best in Baby

posted by April Peveteaux October 30, 2010 at 10:30 AM in Baby

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Some heated issues got everyone hot and bothered and clicking this week in baby.

Sasha let us in on a disturbing fact. The IRS deems a breast pump as not medically necessary, and therefore no tax breaks will be given even as acne medication and astroturf for allergies gets a pass. She wasn't the only one upset about this, as almost a hundred of you weighed in on this anti-working mom decision.

Michele had four moms battle it out over crying it out. And the rest of you battled it out in comments as well! Do you think all that fighting is making the babies cry more?

Christie called for the rejection of Babywise, the anti-Sears parenting book. Most of you seconded and rejected. A few, however, got behind the Ezzo's schedule.

Image via kelli0585/CafeMom

Cry It Out: 4 Moms Battle It Out

posted by Michele Zipp October 27, 2010 at 5:08 PM in Baby

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Crying it out is not just a parenting decision made in the night between a mom and dad, it's a huge topic with big voices discussing the ramifications -- pro and con -- all over the world. Babies need to sleep, just like parents do -- it's imperative for their growth and the sanity of everyone in the house. But how we get baby to sleep brings up the issue of crying it out or not crying it out.

I interviewed four moms -- two who practice CIO and two who do not -- for their thoughts on how crying it out works or doesn't work for them.

10 Baby Sleep Myths

posted by April Peveteaux June 15, 2010 at 1:15 PM in Baby

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Baby sleep advice on the web and within your family is certainly plentiful, but sometimes inaccurate. All babies are different -- my daughter and son are like night and day when it comes to sleep patterns -- but there are some truths about sleep and the tiniest ones.

In digging up some information about the best thing to do with my so-so sleeper, I came across this list of the top 10 baby sleep myths.

8 Baby Sleep Facts That Drive Me Crazy

posted by April Peveteaux June 8, 2010 at 1:30 PM in Baby

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Photo by Manda 5463After having my second baby, I realized one thing about baby sleep advice: It all depends.

My daughter slept through the night at 4 months, my son at 13 months -- most of the time. Still, reading about babies and sleep somehow made me feel more in control when I was trying to figure out why in the world my son wouldn't give up his 4 a.m. wake-up call. Even if some of the tricks worked sparingly, or not at all.

But when I read these 8 baby sleep facts by Dr. Sears, I flashed back to those sleep-deprived months and wanted to pull my hair out, even with some distance from the non-stop pattern of interrupted sleep.

When Will My Baby Let Me Sleep In?

posted by April Peveteaux May 11, 2010 at 1:15 PM in Baby

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Photo by Mom9babyGirl009As my baby wakes up at the crack of dawn (as babies seem to do), something interesting is happening with my 4-year-old. She's sleeping in, and oftentimes we have to wake her up to get her ready for school.

Hallelujah!

Colicky Babies & Cravings After Pregnancy: Click on These Baby Links!

posted by Jennie Canzoneri May 6, 2010 at 5:15 PM in Baby

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Photo by Jennie CanzoneriLiving with colic and crying-it-out. Serious baby links I loved this week ...

How to Fight the Colic Baby Blues from ParentDish took me right back to life with a colicky newborn (there he is, to the left). CNN says you might want to turn off the TV, as it can lead to bad grades and bad behavior in school. Amalah talks post-pregnancy cravings, and her post reminded me of my favorite pregnancy and post-pregnancy treat: Chocolate croissants. The ins and outs and ups and downs of crying-it-out. This article (and video) is a great, comprehensive look at a topic everyone has an opinion about.

Any baby links you care to share?

Reader Comments: MMR, Glam-mas & Babies with Bow Ties

posted by April Peveteaux March 21, 2010 at 4:00 PM in Baby

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Photo by lindz221Check out The Stir every weekend where I'll highlight the funniest, most poignant or interesting comments in the Baby.

Here's what you had to say last week. And how!

Crying it Out: The Doctors Debate

posted by Suzanne Murray July 23, 2009 at 7:15 AM in Baby

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Photo by MarceB

How do I get my newborn to sleep? That's the question on every new mom's mind. And if she voices it, she's likely to get an earful. Basically it seems like there are two main opinions on how to get a baby to sleep: You can let them cry it out until they drift off on their own (CIO) or you can soothe them until they fall asleep.