"While I don't think that cry-it-out necessarily produces toxic stress--it's
not on the level of abuse or neglect or the adverse effects talked about in
the position paper in Pediatrics..."

I will disagree with this one a few points.  It has been shown that CIO
causes elevated cortisol levels and does cause emotional harm.  I know there
was an article or two on this just recently but cannot put my hands on the
references.    

When emotional harm is caused by an action that is not absolutely necessary
(and there are other ways to deal with infant sleep patterns than CIO) it
is, in my opinion, abuse.  Period.  Neglect is an absolutely correct term,
as is emotional abuse, and when a child is found to be neglected usually
Child Protective Services will usually step in if called.  However, sad to
say, CIO is pooh-poohed so often and recommended by HCP's, that no one seems
to care too much about the poor infant who was allowed to experience extreme
fear, distress and hysteria because their parent was told that CIP wouldn't
harm their baby.  Yes - it will.   And the parent often sits on the other
side of the door emotionally abusing themselves with heartbreak and tears
and their own emotional distress because they were taught to ignore their
gut.  So on both sides of the door abuse is happening.  

While CIO may not be considered to be on the level of the abuse talked about
in the position paper, perhaps it should be listed as such.  CIO is cruel.
It is inhumane.  It is abusive.  For many babies they CIO for many nights or
weeks until they lose all hope and give up...others give up hope far more
quickly.  But it is still abuse and it has a lifetime effect - even though
one may not see it initially.  It is something that lends itself to subtle
harm as time goes on...and can affect relationships in the future.

I tell my clients flat out:  CIO IS Child Abuse.  Period.  Then I put it
into a perspective they can understand - I put them in the baby's shoes.
Then they get it...most of them, anyway.

Warmly,
Jaye



Jaye Simpson, CLC, IBCLC, CIIM, MoM
Breastfeeding Network
www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

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