How to try the Ferber method of sleep training for your baby (2024)

What is the Ferber method?

The Ferber method is a baby sleep training strategy popularized by Richard FerberOpens a new window M.D., former director of the Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Boston Children's Hospital.

It's a form of cry-it-out sleep training, meaning the Ferber method teaches that it's important for babies to learn to self-soothe and fall asleep without your help, even if that involves crying.

But for parents who hate to hear their baby cry, Ferber is often a better option than the standard cry-it-out method. That's because you're allowed to go in and soothe your baby after a set period of time. At first, you'll check on your baby after just a few minutes of crying. You'll gradually extend the time between check-ins, until eventually your baby learns to fall asleep on their own. The method is also known as "check and console," and "graduated crying it out."

The Ferber method has been shown to be safe and effective for babies. To use it, you'll follow a schedule that involves set periods of crying – for example, five minutes, then 10, then 15 – over a week. Your baby's crying may taper off after the first few nights, however. The Ferber method often works within three to four days.

When can we start the Ferber method?

Like all sleep training methods, it's best to start the Ferber method when your baby is between 4 to 6 months old. By this age, your baby will begin to have regular sleep-wake cycles and can usually go through the night without a feeding. Babies this age can also learn to sleep through the night – meaning that when they wake up briefly during the night (as all kids and adults do), they can soothe themself back to sleep without help.

But try not to be in a rush to start. Earlier isn't better. In fact, trying to train your baby before they're ready can have unintended consequences. One reviewOpens a new window of sleep training in babies younger than 6 months showed that the methods resulted in increased crying, premature weaning, worsened maternal anxiety, and increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if the baby was sleeping in a separate room. (The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendsOpens a new window sharing a room with your baby for at least six months to reduce the risk of SIDS.)

Some babies need more than six months before they're ready to sleep train. "The optimal time for sleep training depends on the needs of the baby and the parents," says Chandani DeZure, M.D., a pediatrician, neonatal and pediatric hospitalist, and member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board. "No one should feel pressured into doing something that isn't right for their family."

If you're not sure whether your baby is ready to try the Ferber method, talk to their doctor.

How to do the Ferber method

To use the Ferber method of sleep training, follow these steps:

Step 1

Look at the Ferber method chart below and decide which time intervals you'll be using. You may want to check on your baby at two minutes, five minutes, and 10 minutes on the first night, for example.

Step 2

Follow your baby's regular bedtime routine. This might include:

• giving your baby a bath
• dressing your baby in PJs and a fresh diaper
• giving your baby a final feeding
• reading a book to your baby or singing a lullaby

Step 3

Put your baby to bed drowsy but not asleep. Leave the room right away, even if your baby starts crying.

Step 4

If your baby keeps crying, return to the room after a short amount of time (using the interval you chose).

Keep the visit brief and minimize interactions. Patting or rubbing your baby's back is okay, but avoid picking them up or feeding them. Some experts say to avoid talking to your baby, while others say it's okay to use a few soothing words.

Step 5

If they continue to cry, keep checking on your baby at set intervals until they fall asleep. This applies both at bedtime and if they wake in the middle of the night.

Step 6

Continue this routine for the next few nights, until your baby eventually falls asleep easily on their own. The goal is to increase the intervals between check-ins until your baby is able to go to sleep without crying or needing you.

Be consistent. The key to the Ferber method and other sleep training strategies is following the same routine, night after night.

For more specific details on how to make the Ferber method (or timed check-ins) work for you, check out The BabyCenter 3-Stage Sleep Solution from BabyCenter Courses.

Ferber method chart

The Ferber method is flexible: The amount of time between check-ins depends on your baby's temperament and how long you can handle hearing your baby cry. You can adjust the times below as you see fit.

This Ferber method chart can help you time your check-ins:

On the first night, if your baby is crying you'll go in after two minutes, then again at five minutes, and then every 10 minutes until they fall asleep. If they wake up a few hours later, you'll start over at two minutes and increase the intervals from there.

Keep in mind that this Ferber method chart is just a suggestion. If your baby doesn't fall asleep after an hour or more of check-ins, you can extend the time between check-ins to whatever interval of time still feels comfortable for you. For example, on the first night you can start checking in every 15 minutes (or more).

The Ferber method isn't for every family. Some babies become even more upset when they see their parents come and go, and if they don't fall asleep after numerous check-ins it becomes mentally and physically exhausting for parents. Many parents combine the Ferber method with standard cry-it-out sleep training: After a certain number of check-ins, you can decide to let your baby cry until they fall asleep.

Does the Ferber method work?

Yes, research shows that the Ferber method can successfully help babies learn to fall asleep on their own and stay asleep. It's just one of several sleep-training methods proven to be successful, however, so you can choose what works best for you and your family.

An often-cited reviewOpens a new window of 52 sleep-training studies found that nearly all sleep-training methods are equally effective at helping babies to sleep better in the long term. (It looked at the Ferber method and cry-it-out sleep training, as well as gentle or "no cry" approaches.) Sleep training techniques not only resulted in better sleep but also improved family well-being.

A more recent reviewOpens a new window of 10 studies on sleep-training methods, including Ferber, found that all methods significantly reduced sleep problems in children and significantly improved sleep quality for moms.

How long does the Ferber method take to work?

Many babies learn to go to sleep on their own without crying in a few nights of using the Ferber method. Some babies take longer, say a week or so – but the crying slows a bit each night.

Once your baby is sleep trained, expect them to sometimes wake and cry during the night or fuss when you put them down to sleep. They may have trouble sleeping when they're teething or ill, for example, or when they're experiencing a developmental leap such as learning to talk or crawl. Many of these factors can cause a temporary hiccup in sleep training, says Dr. DeZure.

It's also normal for a baby or toddler to have a sleep regression – their sleep suddenly takes a giant step backwards and they have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep. A baby or toddler may need to be sleep trained again after a sleep regression, according to Dr. DeZure.

Tips for using the Ferber sleep method

• Choose a good time. Ideally you'll want to start sleep training when your days aren't too stressful or busy. Don't start sleep training right before you move, for example, or the week you go back to work. If you work Monday to Friday, you may want to start sleep training on the weekend. That way, if your baby struggles to fall asleep for the first couple of days, you may have some time to nap or rest.
• Enlist help. It can be hard to listen to your baby cry, even if only for a few minutes. And getting up to comfort your baby on a set schedule can be exhausting – especially if they don't fall asleep easily. Ask your partner or a friend or family member to assist for the first couple of nights. If your baby's crying gets to be too much, take a walk outside or watch TV in another room while your co-captain takes over for a while.
• Follow a regular daytime schedule. Playing and napping at around the same time every day is reassuring for babies and helps them settle into sleep better at night.
• Establish a bedtime for your baby, and stick to it. Aim for a time when your baby naturally shows signs of sleepiness, such as rubbing their eyes, yawning, and fussing. Watch for their sleepy cues, and take advantage!
• Follow the same bedtime routine every night. This helps to mentally prepare your little one for sleep.
• Ensure your baby's sleep environment is safe and soothing. That means putting your baby to bed on their back in their own bassinet or crib. To reduce the risk of SIDS, use just a tight-fitting sheet – no crib bumpers, loose blankets, loveys, or toys. Keep the room dimly lit, and use a white noise machine if it helps your baby sleep well.
• Don't respond to every noise. Babies are noisy sleepers, and not every little grunt or whimper counts as crying. Try to give your baby ample opportunity to learn to self-soothe before responding.
• Be consistent. Following the same bedtime routine and sticking to the basic rules of the Ferber method is critical for success.
• Know when to quit. If your baby isn't making progress after one week, or if the Ferber method just doesn't feel right for you, stop and try again later – perhaps with a different sleep-training approach.

Is the Ferber method harmful to babies?

The Ferber method doesn't appear to cause any harm to babies – neither does standard cry-it-out sleep training. A studyOpens a new window of 178 babies concluded that those who did cry-it-out sleep training as infants didn't have any negative behavioral development or differences in their attachment to their parents at 18 months of age.

Another studyOpens a new window of more than 2,000 parents surveyed on their sleep-training methods concluded that babies who were sleep trained using cry-it-out methods slept longer, without negative outcomes.

Most experts agree that sleep training improves parents' sleep and mental health without causing harm to babies. Plus, many say learning to self-soothe is a valuable skill for babies to learn.

When to talk to your doctor about your baby’s sleep

If you try the Ferber method (or another sleep-training approach) and your baby hasn't made progress in a week or so, talk with their doctor. It may be that your baby needs another approach or more time, but you'll want to rule out any underlying issue. Medical conditions can affect your baby's ability to sleep, including an ear infection, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allergies, excessive snoring (apnea), or anemia.

Also talk with your baby's doctor if your baby has trouble with sleep and has a neurodevelopmental disorder, such as autism or Down syndrome. Sleep training may take longer or be less effective because these conditions can interfere with a baby's ability to sleep.

If your baby or toddler has frequent nightmares or night terrors or is suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety, talk to their doctor before using any sleep-training methods.

Other sleep-training methods

You might want to try other sleep-training approaches if the Ferber method doesn't appeal to you, or it's not a good fit. Also, many parents combine parts of different methods to come up with a solution that best suits their baby.

Other sleep-training methods include:

Cry it out (CIO) means establishing a bedtime, putting your baby to bed at that time, and not responding to them until it's time to get up in the morning.

The wave is similar to the Ferber method. It involves checking in with your baby every five minutes with a reassuring scripted mantra, such as "Mama is nearby. I love you. You can go to sleep now."

The chair method involves sitting in a chair next to your baby's crib and giving them a pat and reassurance when they cry – but not picking them up. You progressively move the chair further from the crib until your baby can fall asleep without you nearby.

The fading method adjusts your baby's sleep schedule to help them fall asleep easily. You start by putting your baby to bed a little later so they readily conk out. Then you move the time up by 15 minutes each night or two until they're going to sleep at the bedtime you prefer.

Gentle sleep training involves rocking or otherwise comforting your baby when they wake up crying, and then putting them down and leaving the room as soon as they're settled.

Other ways to help your baby sleep

• Let your baby self-soothe by giving them a pacifier or encouraging them to suck their thumb or fingers.
• Provide a dependable, calming bedtime routine. This signals that it's time for sleep and helps your baby relax.
• Keep the room where your baby sleeps dark. Use a nightlight to help with middle-of-the-night changes and feedings.
• Use white noise (if your baby likes it).
• Don't let your baby get overtired, which can be counterproductive.
• When they wake up at night, keep things quiet and calm so they'll settle more easily.
• To help teach your baby to fall asleep on their own, try putting them down when they're drowsy but not fully asleep.
• Don't respond to every little sound. Babies normally wake through the night, and they'll often fall back asleep on their own unless they're hungry or uncomfortable. You might give your baby a minute to fuss before you soothe them or pick them up.

Learn more:

• Why your baby or toddler wakes up screaming at night
• When to stop giving your baby a bottle before bed