cry it out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Of a baby: to be left alone to cry until falling asleep (recommended in some approaches to parenting).
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The same rules for maintaining sleep should be used for autistic children as for typical children—short interventions that are not repeated, and a period in which the child “cries it out.”
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “cry it out” mean?
Of a baby: to be left alone to cry until falling asleep (recommended in some approaches to parenting).
Is “cry it out” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.