To CIO and Beyond! Making good decisions about extinction sleep training

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