The Earliest Form of Teaching

When your baby is small, the only way it can communicate is via crying. Hunger, discomfort, pain, and boredom are all communicated through a series of similar, yet distinctly different, cries. When a mother hears her baby cry, it triggers a deep, instinctive reaction; and it's this reaction that makes controlled crying a difficult process.

Controlled crying is a technique for teaching your baby to fall asleep on their own. It's somewhat controversial - some schools of thought say it's harmful to young infants, who may not have the memory or attention span necessary to fully understand - but it is proven to work very quickly. If your baby is waking you up or keeping you up all night, controlled crying may be the solution you've been looking for.

Teaching Baby to Sleep

There are numerous books, CDs, and even toys that attempt to aid in using the controlled crying method. These would all make excellent baby gifts, but in the meantime, here's the basic theory behind controlled crying - with some baby gifts recommendations.

Once the bedtime routine is complete (feeding, bath, storybook, etc.), tuck your baby into their cot while they're drowsy but still awake, and leave the room. A variety of books, for both mommy and baby, will ease the transition to sleep and would make great baby gifts. Additionally, lavender oil or lotion, or chamomile-scented baby soaps and shampoos, are baby gifts that would make for a soothing bath-time.

Your baby will probably fuss and cry. Baby gifts for this stage might include baby monitors or sound-activated cot toys or mobiles, which will both alert parents and possibly distract and calm the baby.

You should allow crying for two minutes, then go back into the room to reassure your baby, and leave for another four minutes. According to the rules of controlled crying, you are not allowed to pick up the baby. This cycle continues for up to ten minutes of "away time". The baby is often crying during this time, because they feel they need their mother in order to fall asleep. Perhaps an appropriate pair of baby gifts for this stage would be matching Mom-and-Dad earplugs!

Most babies have trouble falling asleep because they associate the smell and sensation of their mother with sleep; this association is reinforced when the baby cries and is picked up and soothed by their mother. Soft toys and blankets, which are standard baby gifts, can be "boosted" to help with this portion if the mother sleeps with them. Her scent is transferred onto the baby gifts, which then help calm the baby into a relaxed and sleepy state. Keep in mind, though, that these baby gifts should be removed from the cot after several nights of the controlled crying method, to futher break the baby's association of sleep with their mother's scent.

Difficult, but Worthwhile

The best baby gifts of all are those that keep the parents in mind. There are many fine books on the controlled crying technique, and these, as well as the recommendations above, would make for fine and thoughtful baby gifts. When you're ready to do anything just to sleep through the night, the controlled crying technique is there to help!