The Ferber Method: What It Is and How It Works

The Ferber method goes by many names, including “Ferberizing,” “graduated extinction,” and the time-honored “cry-it-out” (CIO) method. It was developed by Dr. Richard Ferber, a pediatrician who specialized in infant sleep.

The core idea behind the Ferber method is that babies’ ability to self-soothe and fall asleep is a learned behavior that shouldn’t overly depend on a parent’s ability to intervene. Ferberization teaches infants to fall asleep independently by gradually extending the timed intervals between their distress signals and their caregivers’ responses.

Eventually, so the theory goes, this teaches babies to fall asleep by themselves, leading to better sleep for both baby and parents.

The Theory Behind the Ferber Method

Newborns and infants naturally rely on caregivers to administer nourishment, safety, and comfort in their early development. However, Ferber theorized this dependence can contribute to frequent midnight wake-ups, delayed sleep onset, and disrupted sleep patterns over time.

With the Ferber sleep training technique, babies are given the opportunity to discover their own self-soothing techniques. These could include:

• Hair-twirling
• Using a pacifier
• Cuddling with a stuffed animal

It could also include environmental supports, like soft music or white noise. By getting comfortable in their sleep environment, their parental dependence (or separation anxiety) eventually transfers to other modes of support.

Breaking Down the Ferber Method, Step-by-Step

In his book, Dr. Richard Ferber provides a set schedule of wait times and check-ins for parents to follow. This Ferber method chart is freely available online if your household wants to take a traditional approach.

However, Dr. Ferber’s timetables aren’t necessarily set in stone. The most important factor underlying this method is consistency. This regularity contributes to your child’s sense of safety and predictability, which helps them acquire napping and sleeping skills over time.

With that, putting the Ferber method into practice takes the following key steps:

1. Set a sleep routine – Whether for naps or bedtime, you can encourage better sleep habits by introducing some wind-down cues and routines for your baby. This might look like:
   • Lowering the lights or drawing the curtains
   • Reading or speaking in a soothing tone
   • Playing a noise machine or soft music
   • Rubbing your infant’s back

1. Look for signs of drowsiness – Once you’ve performed your unwind routine, keep an eye out for signs your child is getting sleepy. This could look like rubbing their eyes, heavy eyelids, or extra fussiness.
2. Put your baby down awake – You’ll want to put your baby down once they’re drowsy but still semi-alert. This helps ensure they’ll learn to associate their crib with sleeping.
3. Set a time interval – Choose a designated amount of time to wait before responding to your baby if they cry. Three to five minutes is a solid place to start; you can gradually increase this interval in the coming days and weeks.
4. Soothe without picking up – When you do intervene to calm down your baby, try not to lift them from their crib. You can try other methods of calming them down, like speaking in a soothing voice or rubbing their back. This helps them learn they can feel safe and sleepy without being picked up.

Can the Ferber Method Be Used for Naps?

Irregular napping habits can cause overtiredness in infants, which can ultimately compromise sleep quality during the night. Though the Ferber method is most commonly associated with nighttime sleeping, it can also be effectively applied to napping. Remember, its main function—”graduated extinction”—can apply whether it’s day or night!

When it comes to using the Ferber method for naps, many parents find their babies are more resistant to midday naps than they are to nighttime sleeping. Often, this can lead to more crying or distress. If this happens, try to remain consistent in your approach by using the same interval-based check-ins as you do in the evening. This helps to reinforce the healthy sleeping patterns you’re working to build at night. A consistent bedtime routine with sleep training can help avoid sleep regressions and constant night waking.

Common Challenges When Using the Ferber Method

As with any parenting technique, putting the Ferber theory to work can come with challenges. Some common obstacles caregivers run into with the Ferber method include:

• Inconsistent nap durations – You might find that your baby naps for long lengths on some days and short ones on others. With persistence, patience, and consistency, many parents find their babies’ nap schedules become more predictable over time. Read up on some nap sleep training tips!
• Parental distress – Sleep training can be as hard on parents as it is on infants. Many parents feel like they’re being negligent when applying the Ferber method—it’s natural to feel conflicted when you ignore your baby’s cries. Try to remember that by allowing your baby to self-soothe, you’re helping them cultivate a crucial lifelong skill: the ability to fall asleep on their own.
• Sleep regression – Sleep regressions can occur at any stage of child development. They refer to periods when a child who previously slept well seems to suddenly resist or struggle with sleep.

Sometimes, the root issue can be unclear—sleep regressions can require immense patience on the parents’ part. Remember, your baby is still adjusting to their new development milestones as well!

At What Age is the Ferber Method Effective?

The Ferber method is said to be most effective for babies starting at 6 months of age. At this stage, infants are developmentally able to self-soothe, which means they can reliably lean on resources other than you to wind down.

Notably, Dr. Ferber said his training method could also be used for older children who have trouble falling asleep. So, if you have an older toddler or child who struggles to fall asleep on their own, revisiting the Ferber method may help them learn new habits down the line!

When to Consult a Pediatrician (or a Sleep Coach)

The Ferber method is designed to train babies fairly quickly. It’s meant to take effect within several days or weeks, not months.

If you’re using Ferber method naps consistently yet still struggling to regulate your baby’s sleep schedule, it may be the case that other factors are getting in the way. With that, it can help to know which pediatric health situations warrant extra support:

• Colic – Colic is a general pediatric condition that causes infants to cry extensively for at least 3 days per week. It can be immensely difficult for parents, as their child may resist calming down even when they’re picked up or soothed by caregivers. Colic is often developmental and frequently resolves on its own with growth. Sometimes, it has an underlying cause (e.g. digestive problems) that can be remedied with medication.
• Gastroesophageal reflux – As babies’ digestive systems develop, plenty of sleep issues can be chalked up to digestive discomfort. Spitting up frequently, irritability after mealtime, or resistance to lying down may all signal a digestive issue. If your baby is diagnosed, their pediatrician may recommend medications or changes to their routine to help soothe their distress.
• Allergies or eczema – Allergies can cause a host of sleep-disrupting symptoms, from respiratory ones (coughing and sneezing) to dermatological ones (e.g. itchiness or rashes). Common interventions for infant allergies include medications (e.g. antihistamines) and topical treatments to combat skin discomfort. Your pediatrician may also recommend changing their environment to reduce their exposure to allergens.
• Ear infections – Ear infections are very common in young children and can often cause sleep disturbances. If your baby is affected, they may have a fever, irritable mood, or pull on their ears. Typically, physicians will recommend antibiotics or pain medication to help manage symptoms.

In addition to infant-related health conditions, parental burnout is common in parents training their infants to sleep. The more worn down you are, the harder it can be to stick to a training plan.

If this sounds like you, you might consider working with a sleep trainer to create a routine for your child and your household. With patience, time, and consistency, you can arrive at an approach that works for your baby and the whole family. You can also find the answers to many of your questions about your little one’s sleep routine on the SneakPeek blog, like when can baby sleep with a pillow?

Create Your Parenting Game Plan with SneakPeek®

When sleep training starts to feel like an endless round of trial and error, techniques like the Ferber method can lend structure to your parenting journey.

SneakPeek lets you marry that structure with knowledge. With our At-Home Early Gender DNA Test®, you can learn your baby’s sex as early as 6 weeks into your pregnancy and with over 99% clinically proven accuracy.

More than 1 million parents have used SneakPeek® to break the news of their future baby’s sex sooner than ever. Learn why SneakPeek is the #1 OBGYN-recommended at-home early gender test by placing your order today.