| Australian
health professionals have raised concerns that controlled crying,
also known as controlled comforting and sleep training, may
have a negative impact on the emotional and psychological health
of infants. Controlled crying involves leaving a crying baby
for increasing periods of times before coming to comfort them
in an attempt to teach them to put themselves to sleep and not
cry out during the night.
The researchers say that it is normal for babies and young
children to not sleep through the night, and their crying
is a sign of distress. Although controlled crying may teach
children to stop crying, it may also teach them not to seek
help when they are upset.
Australian
Association for Infant Mental Health October, 2003 (PDF)
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