Want to create an interactive transcript for this episode?
Podcast: The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
Episode: The Follow-Up: The Truth About Cry-It-Out and Cortisol
Description: You’ve probably heard the claim that sleep training—especially methods like "cry-it-out"—can flood babies with toxic stress. But is that actually what the science says? In this episode, I sit down with a leading developmental expert to unpack the research on cortisol, stress, and infant development. We cover how the stress response system works, what truly qualifies as toxic stress, and why common fears about sleep training may be missing important context. Whether you're team sleep-train or not, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and evidence-backed guidance.
Key Takeaways:
Cortisol is a norm...