Ferber Method: Proven Sleep Training for Babies
The Ferber method, a popular sleep training technique, helps babies learn to fall asleep independently. Invented by Dr. Richard Ferber, this method involves parents leaving the room after putting their baby to sleep and returning at increasing intervals to check on and soothe the baby.
The Ferber method aims to teach babies to self-soothe, fostering problem-solving skills and independence. It begins with a consistent bedtime routine to signal sleep time. Parents then leave the room, returning at designated intervals to provide verbal comfort without picking up or stimulating the baby excessively.
The intervals between checks increase each night, starting at just three minutes and adding two minutes each subsequent night. This graduated extinction approach, also known as controlled crying or progressive waiting, helps babies learn to navigate their environment and fall asleep without constant assistance.
A 2016 study found no adverse stress responses or long-term effects from this method. In fact, infants who learned to self-soothe through sleep training methods like the Ferber method fell asleep 15 minutes faster than those who did not use such techniques.
The Ferber method, a form of graduated extinction, is a proven technique to help babies learn to sleep independently. By gradually increasing intervals between checks, parents can teach their babies to self-soothe, promoting better sleep habits and independence.
