How to put a baby to sleep with the Ferber Method

When it's time for your baby to transition from your bed or your room to his or her own bed or room, I have found the Ferber Method to work for my home.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. The Ferber Method is a form of Cry It Out (also known as CIO) and it is not right for some parents. However, the Ferber Method is also a lot easier than just putting them to bed and letting them cry all night until they fall asleep. It offers a way to soothe the baby to sleep, but also help them learn to go to sleep on their own.

2. Start off by doing your nightly routine or ritual. Don't vary from what you baby is used to. If you do bath, a story, and a song, do that. If you both are used to nursing the child before bed, nurse in the room they will be sleeping in.

3. After you nightly routine, make sure the child is calm and content, clean and dry, and get ready to start the Ferber Method. We will put the child into his or her bed, and softly walk out of the room. For the first night, let your child cry for 5 minutes. I personally know how hard this can be, I have 2 children of my own, and I know the pain of not being able to go to them as soon as they cry, but believe me, you will be doing better for them in the long run.

4. After the 5 minutes are up, go to the child, and pat them on the back or soothe them in some way. The Ferber Method says not to pick them up, but I do, and that's my variation on the method. Soothe the child until he or she is calm again, and again, put them down in their bed. This time wait 10 minutes, and then repeat. If the child is still not asleep wait 15 minutes and repeat the calming process. For the rest of the night, wait 15 minutes before going to the child.

5. On the second night, start at 10 minutes, go in and calm, wait 15 minutes, repeat the calming process, and then wait 20 minutes. Stay with the 20 minutes wait time the rest of the night, or until the child is asleep.

6. On the third night, start at 15 minutes, go in and calm, wait 20 minutes, repeat the calming process, and then wait 25 minutes. Again, stay with the 25 minutes the rest of the night, or until the child is asleep.

7. Most parents see a difference in 3 nights, but most is not all, right? If you still aren't seeing much progress, go with the same thing you did the third night. Soon, the house will be quiet, and the children in bed on time.

[bossypants]

on 11/7/2009 This sounds like a gentle way to help a child learn to comfort herself and begin a little independence. Thanks!