No More Crying Babies Left Alone — Denmark Says Goodbye to “Cry It Out”

Parenting advice is changing, and Denmark is leading the way. The Scandinavian country has officially said goodbye to the controversial “cry it out” method for babies.

What Was The “Cry It Out” Method

The “Cry It Out” method was a popular sleep-training approach where parents would let their babies cry for long periods without picking them up or comforting them. The idea was that, over time, the baby would learn to fall asleep on their own. Some versions of the method allowed parents to check in at intervals, while others suggested leaving the baby alone entirely until they fell asleep.

While it promised better sleep routines for both babies and parents, experts have long warned that letting babies cry for hours can cause stress, interfere with emotional bonding, and even affect brain development during the critical early months of life. Babies depend on their parents for comfort and reassurance, especially in the first months of life, and ignoring their cries can interfere with the emotional bond between parent and child.

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Denmark’s New Approach

Instead of leaving babies alone to cry, Danish authorities now promote gentler, responsive parenting techniques. Parents are encouraged to respond to a baby’s cries with care by picking them up, soothing them, and helping them feel secure. The focus is on building on strong emotional bonds between parents and children from the very start.

This change is backed by research showing that attentive care in early life strengthens mental health, emotional resilience, and even long-term relationships. By responding to babies’ needs, parents help them feel safe and loved, which can reduce anxiety and promote happier, healthier development.

As more countries and parents adopt gentle approaches, the days of babies being left to cry alone may finally be behind us and both babies and parents can sleep a little easier.