Would you leave your baby to cry like this?

[Homelip]

8 week old walking up after a feed within the hour but doesn’t want feeding when offered. Nappy fine. Etc.

On a couple of occasions I’ve rocked the cot to get him to go off to sleep or left him to cry for up to 10 mins. They then fall asleep again. Is this ok? I’m worried it’s not given the age

I would not leave an 8 week old baby to cry for 10 minutes, no.

If it's 10 minutes I wouldn't worry yourself,

My little one had bad colic and he could be crying for hours sometimes, my health visitor and GP both said if it got too much for me to listen to (id spend forever rocking him etc) - then to make sure he was in a safe space like his cot or pram, and leave the room for no more than 10 mins to give myself some head space and then try again.

It's the people that leave them crying for hours upon hours that shouldn't be doing that, but 10 minutes may seem long especially when you're listening to them cry, but it's not!

My colicky baby is now 1, and sometimes when he's drifting off he lets out a cry as he's drifted off then suddenly he's asleep 😳 my gp told me that some babies do cry as they're falling asleep! Xx

IMO… Crying whilst you’re right there rocking and soothing is fine. Going off to do something else knowing that they’re crying is not.

I would also suggest speaking with your own gp / health visitor in regards to this, my little one had colic and reflux and for the first 4 months it was a nightmare trying to get him to sleep (I'd even go for walks with him in the pram in the middle of the night and allsorts!) - if you've done everything and the crying is continuing, they could be experiencing reflux too, being led down can make them feel it worse, so I'd seek some advice.

I can't stand the sound of my own babies crying so I found it impossible to not cradle them/cuddle them, I often spent time sat on the sofa with them asleep on their bellies on my chest just so they could sleep x

I'd let my 8w old baby cry for 10 mins, yes. It's not the popular view but it worked for us.

There are different cries; urgently upset and in need of course I'd intervene asap. Whinging as they just needs to go to sleep, I'd leave it 10 mins.

Exactly! You know and learn your own babies cries too, I don't think 5-10 minutes will hurt if you can get to them asap if necessary.x

I wouldn't say it's ok at this age. There's a bit more to baby's needs than full belly and dry nappy, and I don't believe they understand at that age that you're there and they're not left alone even if you're rocking the crib. At this age I believe they need to be held by caregiver when upset.

Depends on the cry as pp said. Ds was always left to grizzle/whinge a bit as they were just his settling noises and he became more upset if picked up during this time.
Screaming is another matter however.
I also think at this age you still need to be with them but rocking the crib, talking soothingly or putting your hand on their chest are all enough for them to know you haven't abandoned them.

At that age they get cold very quickly and it’s normal to wake up and fuss wanting to be held and warm.

My baby naps on me during the day whilst I watch TV or browse on my phone.
For the night sleep - he falls asleep around 7pm, I stay downstairs for 2-3 hours, then we go upstairs together and co-sleep (if it’s an option for you, please read up on safety).

I wouldn't leave an 8 week old to cry for 20 mins unless I was desperate or couldn't get to them.

10 mins is a short time for an adult but for a baby it's much longer.

I think him crying while rocking the cot is different to leaving him to cry. Having said that, I would try to prevent either ( easier said than done with a baby). Sometimes babies just want comfort, especially as he's only 8 weeks old. He just wants you, which is okay and perfectly normal. Do you have a bouncer or swing for him? So when he's upset, you can put him in it and it has a rocking feature already. That way you can still get things done, just make sure you can see him at all times.

No, I wouldn't. A couple of minutes while I nipped to the toilet or answered the door, ok. Even when I had a 3yo and a newborn, I'd never leave the little one to cry for more than a couple of minutes.

I wouldn’t, I did lots of contact naps up until 6 months. They need their mama at that age.

No. I'd go back slowly and increase the amount of time by 30 seconds each time. I'd never leave a baby crying 10
Minutes - start at 30 seconds and comfort, then 1 minute, comfort and settle, then 1.5 minutes etc

No way not that young. Baby is crying because something is uncomfortable. If baby has colic those leaving them is not kind. It could mean reflux and needs to be yoright longer after feed. If you have ever experienced the burning from reflux I e. Colic baby you would not leave them dealing with it until they are so tired they sleep.

No, I’m not a fan of leaving any baby to cry.

I never understand questions like these. How can you physically listen to your baby cry for this length of time and not pick them up? I

They don't realise they are a separate entity from you. Read up on the 4th trimester.

A baby isn't just satisfied being fed and having a clean nappy. Even sleep training (though I wouldn't personally use the CIO method) is not recommended before 6 months.

This advice relates to sleep training which is not recommended for babies this young! Ignore!

No, I wouldn’t at any age. It’s not just about full belly and clean nappy. They need that comfort and to know you are there. 8 weeks old is tiny.

This! Pick your baby up when it's crying, why wouldn't you??

Sometimes babies just want comfort, especially as he's only 8 weeks old.

Quite. There seems to be a suggestion if the baby doesn't 'need' anything, it's fine. But what the baby needs is a cuddle.

(With the caveat that, per a previous poster, if you've been rocking and shushing for hours and you're losing your mind, of course, have a break)

No. Does it not make you feel ill listening to your baby cry without any comfort.

I would read up on the effects of stress in babies.

No. 8 weeks is too young to leave crying.

If you were in there rocking cot anyway, while not just pick them up?

Babies at that age are never crying for no reason. They may be fed/clean etc. but he may be a bit cold or just need a cuddle and reassuring

No, never. Pick your baby up

Honestly 10 minutes, particularly at 8 weeks old is too long.
Why don’t you just pick them up?