With your baby waking up every few hours for feeding, it’s no wonder you’re feeling sleep-deprived as a new parent. You need a strategy to reclaim your own shuteye and your baby’s. One popular method you can try is called Ferber sleep training.
In this article, we’ll tell you what Ferber sleep training is and how to do it. Then we’ll give you some tips for success so that you and your baby get the rest you need.
What is Ferber sleep training?
The Ferber sleep training method was developed by pediatrician Richard Ferber, MD, back in 1985. His technique, sometimes referred to as “graduated extinction,” allows babies to cry for a predetermined amount of time before the parent goes to soothe them.
When we say to soothe your baby, we’re not talking about picking them up or feeding them. Instead, you just go into their room and calm them quietly with a gentle pat and some comforting words.
The amount of time a parent waits before soothing gets longer daily until, in about a week, the little one will be sleeping through the night.
The goal of Ferber sleep training
The goal of the Ferber method is to teach your baby to self-soothe and fall asleep or go back to sleep on their own. This will allow them to create healthy sleep associations.
It’s a less extreme version of the “cry it out” method of sleep training that was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Of course, the ultimate goal for any sleep training method is for your baby to sleep through the night, a good outcome for everyone in the household.
Ferber sleep training: Pros and cons
The Ferber sleep training method is not for everyone. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons.
Pros
- Babies tend to sleep longer and better soon after starting the Ferber method.
- If the baby’s sleeping longer and better, so are the parents.
- Babies learn to self-soothe and gain independence earlier.
- The Ferber method is less traumatic than the cry-it-out method, so it feels like a good compromise to many families.
Cons
- Hearing their baby cry and not going to soothe them immediately may be emotionally upsetting for some parents.
- The Ferber method may prove stressful to the household at large.
- Not all children are good candidates for this sleep training method.
- Although there is no evidence of this, some parents believe that Ferberizing (using the Ferber method) is traumatic for the baby.
When and how to try Ferber sleep training
Now that you know what Ferber sleep training is, let’s dive into the optimal timing and steps.
When to start
Generally speaking, babies can begin sleep training at about four to six months of age. But you don’t have to feel pressured to do it then — if you’re not ready, that’s OK. You can wait until they’re a bit older, but keep in mind that the older your baby is, the harder they will be to train.
It’s sort of like the adage about old dogs and new tricks. If your baby is too accustomed to you running to soothe them every time they make a peep, they may be more resistant to the training.
What to do
To sleep train using the Ferber method, you’ll make a note of when your baby starts crying and then wait a certain number of minutes before going into their room to soothe them. The delay increases from check-in to check-in and day to day, as detailed in our chart below.
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First Check In
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Second Check-In
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Third Check-In
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Additional Check-Ins
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Day 1
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3 minutes
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5 minutes
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10 minutes
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10 minutes
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Day 2
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5 minutes
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10 minutes
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12 minutes
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12 minutes
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Day 3
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10 minutes
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12 minutes
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15 minutes
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15 minutes
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Day 4
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12 minutes
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15 minutes
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17 minutes
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17 minutes
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Day 5
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15 minutes
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17 minutes
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20 minutes
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20 minutes
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Day 6
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17 minutes
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20 minutes
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25 minutes
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25 minutes
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Day 7
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20 minutes
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25 minutes
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30 minutes
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30 minutes
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A quick note: Don’t lose faith in the method if your baby opens the floodgates on night two or three. This is typically when babies cry the hardest in an effort to get you back in the room like before.
So long as there’s no reason (wet diaper, hunger, etc.), stay the course. A breakthrough is just around the corner!
Tips for sleep training success
There are a number of things you can do to maximize your chances of sleep training success. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Plan ahead.
If you want to be successful at sleep training, you’ll need to prepare for it. Print a chart and make sure you’re ready for what’s to come.
Keep a bedtime routine.
It’s important to stick to your bedtime routine while you’re sleep training. This will help reinforce your baby’s Circadian rhythm so they fall asleep more easily.
Maintain a consistent wake time.
Just like your little one should be going to bed at the same time each night, they should be waking up at the same time in the morning.
Don’t sleep train during times of stress.
If your little one is under the weather, teething, or anything else that might be stressful, it’s not the time to sleep train. Wait until your little one is feeling better before you dive in.
Use Ferber sleep training for naps as well as nighttime.
Of course, the Ferber sleep training method is not just for bedtime. It’s for every nap your baby takes throughout the day. Practice makes progress!
Pay attention to baby’s sleep cues.
It’s key to put your little one down drowsy but awake. Watch for your baby’s sleep cues (like eye rubbing or yawning), and put them in their crib before they get overtired.
Ensure family and caregivers know the sleep plan.
For this training to work, you and any other caregivers have to be on the same page. The key to maintaining this gradual progression is consistency.
Other sleep training methods
Of course, the Ferber sleep training method is not the only way to train a baby to sleep through the night. Here are a few more methods to consider.
Fading method
The fading method of sleep training involves studying your baby’s schedule and sleep cues and gradually shifting the bedtime routine by 15 minutes every couple of nights until it’s ideal for both you and your baby.
Chair method
The chair method of sleep training teaches your baby not to expect to be picked up when they cry. You put your baby to bed and sit in a chair next to the bed. Gradually, you’ll move the chair closer and closer to the door until you’ve left the room.
Pick-up/put-down method
With the pick-up/put-down method, after putting your little one to bed, you’ll pick them up and soothe them if they cry. Once they’re calm, put them back in their crib and leave the room again.
Cry-it-out method
Whereas the fading and pick-up/put-down methods are pretty gentle, the cry-it-out method is a bit more abrupt. It is, however, the fastest sleep training method.
After making sure your baby’s needs are met (clean diaper, full tummy), put them to bed. Then when they cry, resist the urge to go back into the room, leaving them to self-soothe.
Tips for a good and safe night’s sleep
Here are a few extra tips to ensure, once your baby has gone to bed, that they have the best and safest night’s sleep possible:
- Only let your baby sleep in a crib, travel crib, or bassinet — considered the only safe sleep spaces by the American Academy of Pediatrics. If your little one falls asleep anywhere else, gently move them to their crib.
- Always put your baby to bed on a firm, breathable mattress. Newton Baby’s Original Mattress is not only firm and breathable, but it’s also completely washable, making it a great choice!
- Always put your baby to bed on their back.
- Ensure that the crib is bare — with only the mattress, fitted sheet, and baby. Our Breathable, Organic Cotton Sheets are airy and oh-so-comfy.
- Keep the room cool and comfortable — around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make sure the nursery is dark and quiet.
Night night, baby!
Now that you know all about the Ferber sleep method and your other options, you can decide if this sleep training technique is right for you and your family.
Whatever you decide, for a good night’s sleep, trust Newton Baby for your little one’s crib mattress. Our Essential, Original, and Waterproof mattresses are firm and feature our proprietary Wovenaire technology for the ultimate in breathability.
With Newton Baby in your nursery, your little one will enjoy restful nights filled with the sweetest of dreams!
