Ferberizing, also known as the Ferber method, is a sleep training technique developed by Richard Ferber to help infants and young children learn to self-soothe and fall asleep independently.
Understanding the Ferber Method
At its core, the Ferber method, often referred to as "cry it out" (though it's a controlled form of it), involves:
- Putting your child to bed awake: The idea is to help them learn to fall asleep on their own, without relying on parental intervention like rocking or feeding.
- Graduated extinction: This is the key element. Parents allow their child to cry for predetermined, gradually increasing intervals before offering brief comfort (a pat, a few words) without picking them up or feeding them. The intervals get longer each night.
How the Ferber Method Works: A Step-by-Step Example
Here's a simplified example of how a Ferber schedule might look on the first night:
- Put your child to bed awake.
- If they cry, wait 3 minutes before entering the room.
- Offer brief comfort (pat, words) but don't pick them up.
- Leave the room.
- If they cry again, wait 5 minutes.
- Offer brief comfort.
- Leave the room.
- If they cry again, wait 10 minutes and repeat the process.
On subsequent nights, the intervals increase (e.g., 5, 10, 12 minutes on night two).
Considerations and Criticisms
- It's not for everyone: The Ferber method is not recommended for all babies or families. It's important to consult with a pediatrician before attempting any sleep training method. Some parents are uncomfortable with the crying involved.
- Consistency is key: For the Ferber method to be effective, consistency is crucial. Parents must adhere to the schedule and intervals.
- Emotional Impact: There is debate around the potential emotional impact on the child and parental stress involved with allowing a child to cry.
- Alternative Approaches: There are many alternative sleep training methods that involve less crying.
Benefits of the Ferber Method
- Improved sleep for the child: Many parents report improved sleep patterns for their children after using the Ferber method.
- Improved sleep for the parents: As a result, parents also benefit from better sleep.
In summary, Ferberizing is a sleep training technique that employs gradually increasing intervals of allowing a child to cry before offering brief comfort, aiming to teach the child to self-soothe and fall asleep independently.
