Ferber Method for Naps

If your baby or toddler has trouble taking naps, you might be desperate for a solution. The Ferber method, named after Dr. Richard Ferber, may be an effective way to teach your child to sleep by himself.

  1. What Is It?

    • The Ferber Method was first proposed by Dr. Richard Ferber as an effective way to teach babies how to sleep by themselves. It uses a technique known as "graduated extinction," which is commonly referred to as "crying it out."

    Method

    • The Ferber Method is gradual. For naps, parents would begin by putting their baby in bed by himself and leaving for three minutes. After checking on the baby, they would leave for five minutes, gradually working up to 10 minutes at a time. The next day, increase the first interval to five minutes and work up to 20-minute intervals.

    Potential

    • Some parents have taught their children to put themselves to sleep after as little as four weeks of Ferber training. According to Parenting Science, children who learn to fall asleep with the Ferber method may disturb parents less during the night and display better behavior during the day.

    Considerations

    • The Ferber Method should not be used for babies younger than 6 months, or to treat sleep disorders and other medical conditions. Some critics maintain that the Ferber Method may have detrimental psychological effects.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How to Lessen a Child's Fear of a Crib
      Getting your baby or toddler to sleep in his crib may seem like a nightmare. Separation anxiety and nighttime fears can cause your child to fear and reject sleeping in his crib, making bed time a struggle and consistent sleep a challenge. You can hel
    • Suitable Sleeping Sites
      At first, we figured we ought to allot a good bit of time to addressing the various sleep-site options available to you—starting predictably with the crib and then running through everything from bassinets, cradles, cosleepers, and playpens to car se
    • How long should you sleep when your a baby?
      Heres a general guideline for sleep duration for babies, keeping in mind that every baby is different:Age Range | Average Sleep Duration------- | --------Newborn (0-3 months) | 14-17 hours4-11 months | 12-15 hours1-2 years | 11-14 hours Important Con