Hold the Phone! Research States That Parents Should Pick Up Their Baby When It Cries

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

02 Nov 2006 10:16 AM

You'll have to excuse my somewhat sarcastic tone as I write this, but when this headline appeared in my news feeds this morning I found myself staring at it in disbelief. After all, who would pay for this kind of study? As it turns out, the Queensland University of Technology did the research and it was part of a joint study with the Early Parenting Centre. Researchers found that many new parents were uncertain and concerned that if they picked up their child every time it cried, they would end up spoiling their baby. This fear is understandable; especially if you've ever received some know it all advice from a disapproving older member of yours or your spouse's family.

Researchers found that yes, as most parents desire to; you should pick up your baby when it cries. In the first 12 weeks of any baby's life, they need a high response from their parents and it's important for you to be confident in your instincts when it comes to caring for an infant.

It's key for a baby's neurological and emotional development to know that when they cry, their mom or their dad will swoop in to make it all better. You are not initiating bad habits and the fear of doing so can really cause a lot of stress for new parents that they don't need either. If your baby is crying, pick him or her up and cradle them. Don't put yourself through the mental and emotional stress of feeling like you are failing your child.

Hopefully this latest research will go a long way towards debunking those naysayers who think you are spoiling the 4 week old by picking him up when he cries. Parents need to hear that it's okay to follow their instincts. They need to know they are not doing anything wrong and it's equally important that childcare professionals as well as nurses, educators and pediatricians know this too.

Have you ever thought you were spoiling your baby by picking them up when they cry?

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Valorie Delp (49340) 02 Nov 2006 10:01 AM

Well. . .if I had the funds I would pay for this study! I hope to print out copies to all of my in-laws who are convinced that our children may have been ruined by being carried, slinged, and responded to as they cry.

Tristi Pinkston (10839) 02 Nov 2006 10:23 AM

You know, I think in-laws do more to throw off a parent's natural instincts than just about anything else on this planet. You take a new parent who is trying to do the best they can and introduce the in-law element, and suddenly that new parent is insecure and feels like they can't do anything right. 99% of the time, if a parent follows their instincts, they'll be right on. I have always picked up my babies and never regretted it once.

Heather Long (16954) 04 Nov 2006 08:35 AM

I wanted to say that while I wondered about paying for this kind of research, I don't disagree with the findings at all. It just seems much more natural that way. Most of the people who tell that it will spoil the child are either people without children or who have decades between when their children were that young and where they are now!

Valorie Delp (49340) 04 Nov 2006 02:31 PM

So true Heather. I think too those people forget the different stages babies go through. If my babies are crying, you bet I'm right there. Not that I don't respond to my toddler when she's upset but there's no doubt in my mind when she just wants her way vs. needing something specific.

Lisa P (24013) 23 Nov 2006 11:15 AM

LOL! I think every parent gets into this debate with some older, more experienced family member. My answer was always:

"He's x months old. He eats, sleeps and poops. He isn't functioning at a high enough level to be manipulative yet. When he cries, he needs me, so back off!"