I get what you're saying, and appreciate your understanding. I was also sleep deprived, alone, and didn't know what I was doing so may have done the wrong thing.
I and agree that much of the advice to parents is just nonsense- and a lot of it flip-flops every few years, and is sold to parents using terror, saying your child will die or be permanently harmed if you don't do every little thing you're told. It really can help to look at your individual situation and apply some common sense. The terror itself is more harmful than the advice helpful.
I also agree that it's fine to let a kid cry for a while when they had everything they need already and the parents need a break, but I don't think it's evolutionary or culturally normal to let a kid scream all night long alone. Traditionally, people would be in small groups with a lot of caretakers and would trade off rocking or holding a baby. Humans are hard-wired to be extra responsive to, and annoyed by crying: without a big modern insulated house you could not sleep when your baby is crying. Breastfeeding women get a milk letdown reflex when they hear their baby cry, etc. I'm pretty sure I could feel my stress hormones slowly climb as crying went on, motivating me to do something.
This is yet another of those flip-flopping advice things: once they told people if you comfort a crying baby it will make them soft, weak, and dependent. Now they say it will emotionally traumatize them if you don't, and they will develop attachment and social problems. Both ideas are terrifying to parents, and when they hear them will work hard to do what they are told.
I and agree that much of the advice to parents is just nonsense- and a lot of it flip-flops every few years, and is sold to parents using terror, saying your child will die or be permanently harmed if you don't do every little thing you're told. It really can help to look at your individual situation and apply some common sense. The terror itself is more harmful than the advice helpful.
I also agree that it's fine to let a kid cry for a while when they had everything they need already and the parents need a break, but I don't think it's evolutionary or culturally normal to let a kid scream all night long alone. Traditionally, people would be in small groups with a lot of caretakers and would trade off rocking or holding a baby. Humans are hard-wired to be extra responsive to, and annoyed by crying: without a big modern insulated house you could not sleep when your baby is crying. Breastfeeding women get a milk letdown reflex when they hear their baby cry, etc. I'm pretty sure I could feel my stress hormones slowly climb as crying went on, motivating me to do something.
This is yet another of those flip-flopping advice things: once they told people if you comfort a crying baby it will make them soft, weak, and dependent. Now they say it will emotionally traumatize them if you don't, and they will develop attachment and social problems. Both ideas are terrifying to parents, and when they hear them will work hard to do what they are told.