Top 5 Myths About Sleep Training Every Parent Should Know: Is Crying It out Really Necessary?

As new parents, it can be hard to figure out how to help your baby sleep, especially since there are many different insights.

One of the most controversial methods is "crying it out," which is said to be necessary for teaching babies how to calm themselves down. But is it needed?

Top 5 Myths About Sleep Training Every Parent Should Know — (Photo: Pexels/Lisa Fotios)

Myths on Sleep Training

Throughout history, kids have usually grown up in big, extended homes. This made having another baby less scary. Getting a baby to sleep is challenging because many parents do it alone.

This article outlines the five biggest sleep training myths so you can make smart choices for your baby's and your family's health.

Myth 1: Learning to sleep is the same as "cry it out."

People often think that "cry it out" and "sleep training" are the same, but they are not. A psychologist and sleep expert named Jodi Mindell says sleep training includes different methods to help kids fall asleep independently.

These methods can be as soft as "camping out," which means parents sleep next to the crib and slowly move away over time. Mindell's study shows that these gentle methods can help people with trouble sleeping much more than the harsh cry-it-out technique.

Fact: There are many gentle ways to teach your baby to sleep; you don't have to leave them to cry it out.

Myth 2: Lots of crying is needed for sleep training to work.

You don't have to listen to hours of crying for sleep training to work. Mindell looked at studies that show that kindergarten methods, such as teaching parents how to sleep and introducing sleep gradually, can help most kids sleep better.

There is little strong proof that the cry-it-out method works better than other methods. Parents shouldn't believe the myth that crying more will result in better results. Instead, they should focus on finding a method that works for their family and their baby's temperament.

Fact: Softer ways of teaching sleep can work just as well and sometimes even better.

Myth 3: Sleep Training Guarantees Continuous Sleep

Sleep training often helps people sleep in the short term, but the benefits may not last. Mindell says many studies use parents' reports instead of objective measures to see if kids sleep better.

Babies may still wake up at night, but they will learn not to cry out for their parents. Sleep habits can also change because of things like teething or reaching developmental milestones, so you may need to retrain your dog over time.

Fact: Sleep training can help improve sleep, but it doesn't guarantee your baby will sleep through the night indefinitely.

Myth 4: There's a Specific Time Limit for Crying

Parents often think there's a magic number of minutes they should let their baby cry before they have to do something, but science doesn't back this up. Mindell says that parents should choose the time based on their comfort level and what is best for their baby. Finding the "magic moment" when a kid can fall asleep independently is significant. This moment can be very different for each baby.

Fact: No one-time frameworks for all babies when teaching them to sleep.

Myth 5: Sleep training can hurt long-term growth.

Many people worry that sleep training could harm them in the long run, but a study doesn't support these worries. A randomized controlled trial led by Dr. Harriet Hiscock, which included more than 200 families, found no long-term adverse effects on children's mental health or their ties with their parents.

Based on this study, parents don't have to feel guilty about their choice to sleep train their children. There aren't any significant long-term effects either way. You can also check this article for some reasons.

Fact: When done correctly, no evidence exists that sleep training hurts a child's long-term growth.

Find the Best Method for Sleep Training

Sleep training is a tough subject that people often disagree with. Knowing the difference between myths and facts can help parents make the best decisions for their family. Whether you choose gentle methods or more structured routines, finding a balance that lets you and your baby get the rest you need is important.