Ok to let babies cry themselves to sleep?

Came across this study (a small randomised control trial) that tested (a version of) this question.

Basically, they say it's fine. (well, a "gentler" version -- where parents don't completely ignore babies, but wait a few minutes before checking in on crying babies)

The researchers compared two techniques (to put babies to sleep):

• (A) "graduated extinction" (parents wait longer and longer before responding to a baby's cries)

• (B) "bedtime fading" (bedtime is gradually moved later)

• [and a control group, where parents were given basic information]

They were trying to test whether method A (graduated extinction) was harmful (since you let the babies cry by themselves).

Their main conclusion (from the credo summary):

both graduated extinction and bedtime fading led to babies falling asleep faster. The graduated extinction group also woke up less during the night and spent less time awake after falling asleep.

...

After one year, there were no differences between groups in children's emotional or behavioral problems, and no differences in how securely children were attached to their parents

Does “mouth taping” improve sleep?

TLDR: there is some (non-conclusive) evidence mouth taping improves sleep. But if you have trouble breathing through your nose (e.g. have some nasal-blockage condition, or a cold), then give mouth taping a skip.

I’ve been seeing these companies selling mouth tape on instagram — to prevent mouth-breathing when sleeping (which is suppose to help). I have tried them, but I can’t really say for sure if they help me.

Found this aptly titled 2025 review “Breaking social media fads and uncovering the safety and efficacy of mouth taping in patients with mouth breathing, sleep disordered breathing, or obstructive sleep apnea: A systemic review” .

What the review looked at?

• The paper reviewed 10 other studies – that tested either mouth tape, mouth-sealing patches, or chinstraps.

• Those study participants were mostly sleep-clinic patients. (So unclear whether the findings apply more generally)

• It wasn’t a meta-analysis, as the 10 studies weren’t similar enough. The review authors also rated the 10 studies’ methodology poorly (in terms of ability to draw generalised findings). 

• (So all-in-all, take the results (below) with a pinch of salt!)

What the review found? (My interpretation of the findings: check out the credo summary yourself!)

• Some (weak) evidence that mouth taping reduces sleep apnoea. 

• Some evidence mouth taping reduces snoring and “oxygen desaturation” (when blood oxygen go below a certain level)

• Mouth tape likelier to be effective if used with a jaw device.

• Some of the studies excluded people with “nasal obstruction” (which makes sense). So we can’t say mouth taping helps these people (which isn’t surprising).