I know you are in no way advocating CIO, Annie, so I am sorry if it seems you are being picked on--that is not my intention. But, I think this is too important an issue not to thoroughly address. First, stress is indeed toxic to the limbic system. It is toxic to the gut-brain axis and emotional stress is something you cannot control bc the gut-brain axis is undefinable as to which is cause and which effect. A study on pregnant monkeys in 2004 showed that stressing the mothers for a 6 week period during either early or late pregnancy reduced intestinal flora in all the infants of stressed mothers, despite being birthed and raised normally in all other ways. The development of the immune system relies absolutely on gut integrity as does brain function--80% of serotonin is metabolized in the gut. When you damage the brain, you damage the gut and when you damage the gut, you damage the brain. And it just goes on and on until someone intentionally intervenes. Hopefully with gut healing rather than even more destructive drugs. I would be really curious to see how many kids who been left to CIO have compromised IQ--damaging flora impairs IQ, have diseases like IBS and other digestive issues and depression and learning disabilities. A fight or flight response that, in effect, never turns off is a very dangerous reality indeed. I cannot see how impairing normal function for a lifetime, such that the child is set up for a greater risk of every possible disease and dysfunction, is not abuse. 
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, USA & France
Intuitive Parenting Network, LL


Annie wrote: I came across these while developing a presentation on sleep for our
"LLL Leader's Retreat (NY State) and was almost overwhelmed by the
implications for what we do by supporting breastfeeding and by
advocating for so-called alternative practices like cosleeping and
babywearing.  For example, one of the position papers stated that
infants can experience fear as early as 7-8 months!!

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, for me the
take away is that we just don't know the impact of sleep training.
Sure, some babies will be fine.  Some babies will seem fine but will
have a toxic stress reaction.  From the outside, they will look the
same.   The risk is just not worth taking.  It's not a harmless
intervention."








 


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