Disclosure: Articles may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (at no additional cost to you). See our full disclosure here.
Last updated on September 19th, 2022 at 02:20 am
You have probably heard the phrase ‘The Ferber Method’ discussed on parenting forums or discussed among friends, but if you don’t know what it is, then you’re in the right place. We’re going to give you a brief outline of The Ferber Method for naps and bedtime so you can decide if it is right for you and your baby.
The Ferber Method For Naps and Bedtime Explained
The Basics of the Ferber Method
So, you might be asking, what is the Ferber Method of sleep training? Richard Ferber is a pediatrician who has specialized in and published books regarding infant sleep. Ferber has created his methodology regarding sleep training over his decades of professional practice. You may have heard of Ferber’s sleep methodology, referred to as the ‘cry it out method.’ There are also several offshoots based on his original research.
Ferber’s method is based around putting your child to sleep in their crib, drowsy, but awake. He recommends a calm and soothing bedtime routine, but advocates for your child to be awake so that they learn how to get to sleep on their own.
The Ferber Method Controversy
This method of sleep training is not without controversy. Some sleep trainers and parents credit it as being the best thing to do for children. At the same time, others claim that it is emotionally scarring for a child to be left alone while trying to get to sleep from a young age.
Ferber’s method advises parents to put their children down to go to sleep, and leave them for set periods of time before returning to their room to soothe the child. He advises that parents should not return to their child any sooner than the set period, even if their child is upset and crying. The periods of time between the parents returning to soothe their child get progressively longer. The theory behind this is that a child will learn to put themselves to sleep within a few days to a week if they recognize that crying will not engage their parents to do more than check on them.
Ferber advises that a child should be emotionally and physically ready for this and suggests that this will be between three and five months of age.
However, some sleep specialists and parents have branded Ferber’s method as cruel and advocate for a more biological method of getting your child to sleep, with either feeding or cuddling and only putting your child down in their crib when fully asleep.
Do Your Research
There are a lot of anecdotal comments passed on to parents regarding the Ferber method, and we would always advise you to fully research any techniques you are planning to use with your child. Quite often, when we hear the Ferber method being discussed, there is an agenda behind the conversation, and so examples are only given that serve that agenda.
Ferber does not claim that his method of sleep training is easy, so we recommend that you only embark on this sleep training process if you feel that it is right for both you and your baby. You should also be fully informed about the process and understand each step.
What do you think about the Ferber Method for naps and bedtime? Have you tried it, or do you agree that babies are too young for this kind of sleep training ? Leave us a comment below.
Also read —
Don’t Miss Your Buy Buy Baby Free Goody Bag
6 Tips to Teach Your Kids Healthy Sleeping Habits
Free Printable Signs for Monthly Baby Pictures (Months 1 through 12)
Leave a Reply