What Do You Know About the Ferber Method?

November 10, 2008

Early in a baby's life, a new mother wonders how soon her child will sleep through the night. Some children snooze on their own volition early on while others can take months to get a good night's rest. Dr. Ferber came up with a system now called the "Ferber method" to help new families get some shut eye.

Take my quiz to see what you know about the Ferber method.
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Quizzes Ferber Method

22 Comments

milosmommy 4 years 26 weeks

It didn't work for my spoiled rotten little boy...but to each their own and it works for you that's awesome.

Greggie 4 years 27 weeks

"I just had to point out that the picture of baby posted above is the most precious thing ever!"I keep thinking that too. The little hands are adorable.

Greggie 4 years 27 weeks

"I just had to point out that the picture of baby posted above is the most precious thing ever!" I keep thinking that too. The little hands are adorable.

Sarana 4 years 27 weeks

3/5 and I had never heard of this method before!

Vaadsfweytes 4 years 27 weeks

I just had to point out that the picture of baby posted above is the most precious thing ever!

lickety split 4 years 27 weeks

i think this is a horrible method, and actually cruel. kids don't go off to college needing their mommy to hold them till they go to sleep, after awhile they get it. this isn't the best thing for a little baby (imho).

meandtheo 4 years 27 weeks

i used the controversial cry it out method using the even more controversial book Baby Wise. and i stand by my decision. my daughter has been sleeping through the night since she was 8 weeks old. i only had about a week and half of hard crying and never for more than 20 minutes. she goes down for her naps so easily, i just set her in her crib say have a good nap and tell her i love her, then i close the door and she sleeps. the same holds true with bedtime although we follow a bedtime routine too. i really believe in the parent directed feeding and that following a schedule helped my daughter to become a great sleeper. i know it is not best for all, but it really worked for me and my friends that i have recommended it to. i swear by this method and will use it again.

meandtheo 4 years 27 weeks

i used the controversial cry it out method using the even more controversial book Baby Wise. and i stand by my decision. my daughter has been sleeping through the night since she was 8 weeks old. i only had about a week and half of hard crying and never for more than 20 minutes. she goes down for her naps so easily, i just set her in her crib say have a good nap and tell her i love her, then i close the door and she sleeps. the same holds true with bedtime although we follow a bedtime routine too.i really believe in the parent directed feeding and that following a schedule helped my daughter to become a great sleeper. i know it is not best for all, but it really worked for me and my friends that i have recommended it to. i swear by this method and will use it again.

Greggie 4 years 27 weeks

"My daughter blessed because she never had a sleep deprived mom."And this is Dr Ferber's main point - the method that makes the whole family happiest is what's best, be it his or another. I cuddle and hold my children while they sleep from day one, and we cosleep. It's all a personal preference. I always tell new moms and dads to follow their instinct. Cosleeping is how we get our best rest, and my older children have no problem sleeping alone now. We didn't flip a switch, we transitioned into it without crying methods. I'm obviously passionate about sleep methods. :D I don't think there's any one right way to do it, much like most parenting techniques.

Greggie 4 years 27 weeks

"My daughter blessed because she never had a sleep deprived mom." And this is Dr Ferber's main point - the method that makes the whole family happiest is what's best, be it his or another. I cuddle and hold my children while they sleep from day one, and we cosleep. It's all a personal preference. I always tell new moms and dads to follow their instinct. Cosleeping is how we get our best rest, and my older children have no problem sleeping alone now. We didn't flip a switch, we transitioned into it without crying methods. I'm obviously passionate about sleep methods. :D I don't think there's any one right way to do it, much like most parenting techniques.

mstrauss 4 years 27 weeks

I agree that it just isn't for anyone. Before I had a baby, I thought everyone let their babies cry themselves to sleep. After I had my son, I realized that it just isn't the best thing for every child. My son doesn't nap during the day (maybe 15-30 minutes a few times a day) and doesn't seem to care, and at night he sleeps for 12-13 hours. We don't let him cry himself to sleep though. When he is tired, which is the same exact time every night, he lets out a cry and then when we pick him up he just closes his eyes right away. What is the point of making him miserable by crying in the crib when he falls asleep so quickly otherwise? I always wonder if it is a bad thing that he falls alseep in my arms, but when I put him down in thr crib, he continues to sleep through the night so it must not be so bad.

mstrauss 4 years 27 weeks

JennyJen 4 years 27 weeks

I appreciate the Ferber method. We used variations of this and a few other methods and our daughter who is now 2 has slept through the night since she was 8 weeks old. I can probably count on one hand how many times I held her while she slept and that was probably when she was teething. I nursed from day one and was always keeping her awake until I put her down. That would be the best advice I could give any new mom. Don't hold them while they are sleeping no matter how much you are loving the cuddle time. Because at some point you are going to need sleep and when that time comes it isn't like you can flip a switch and tell the child they now have to do it by themselves. My daughter blessed because she never had a sleep deprived mom. When it comes to playtime I have energy to enjoy her!

JennyJen 4 years 27 weeks

Greggie 4 years 27 weeks

I have great respect for Dr Ferber, I just do not feel his method is right for us. I don't think it causes giving up unless a parent is refusing to respond to any cues at all, which is highly unlikely. The problem, like any sleep method, is when people "abuse" it. For instance, Dr Ferber recommends checking on the baby, speaking to him/her at first, etc. But some people take "crying it out" to mean you put the baby down and they scream until they fall asleep, alone and with no contact whatsoever. That's not his recommendation, and he very clearly states that.He's very well-researched, informed, fair, and well-spoken. He even says his method isn't for everyone, just for those who want it. He's one of those I wish I would have as a pediatrician because even though we disagree on sleep methods, he respects other views and is informed on those as well.

Greggie 4 years 27 weeks

I have great respect for Dr Ferber, I just do not feel his method is right for us. I don't think it causes giving up unless a parent is refusing to respond to any cues at all, which is highly unlikely. The problem, like any sleep method, is when people "abuse" it. For instance, Dr Ferber recommends checking on the baby, speaking to him/her at first, etc. But some people take "crying it out" to mean you put the baby down and they scream until they fall asleep, alone and with no contact whatsoever. That's not his recommendation, and he very clearly states that. He's very well-researched, informed, fair, and well-spoken. He even says his method isn't for everyone, just for those who want it. He's one of those I wish I would have as a pediatrician because even though we disagree on sleep methods, he respects other views and is informed on those as well.

schnappycat 4 years 27 weeks

Yeah, I have always been told not to let a baby CIO until at least 6 months. Oh well. I actually have his book and have read the sections that pertain to us, but I missed the 4-6 month thing in the book. Anyhow, we tried it about a month ago with some success until my son got sick. Now we are back to square one and have to start over (we are trying to cut out his nighttime habit feedings--he goes to sleep well and sleeps ok otherwise except for the twice a night feedings). Ugh.

kindo1313 4 years 27 weeks

Babies aren't fruit--they can't spoil. Babies aren't meant to "cry it out." Crying is a means of communication and babies who aren't responded to just stop communicating. They aren't self-soothing (that isn't possible until after 18 mo), they've just given up.

RosaDilia 4 years 27 weeks

I wish my sister would practice this. My nephew is 5 mos old and he's spoiled rotten. My sister has him in her arms for most of the day and puts him to sleep cradled on her chest. The minute she puts him down in his crib all hell breaks loose. He will not fall asleep unless he's carried.

Greggie 4 years 27 weeks

Hmmm... the interview I watched with him, he very adamantly stated that the method should not be used until at least 6 months of age, so I obviously got that one wrong. He hates the term "Ferberization/Ferberized" though.

Greggie 4 years 27 weeks

Hmmm... the interview I watched with him, he very adamantly stated that the method should not be used until at least 6 months of age, so I obviously got that one wrong.He hates the term "Ferberization/Ferberized" though.

Fleurie 4 years 27 weeks

4/5, I didn't know his first name =D

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