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What Is the Ferber Method of Baby Sleep Training?

The Ferber method (also known as "graduated extinction") is a form of sleep training developed by pediatric sleep expert Dr. Richard Ferber. When using this method, parents will leave their child to fall asleep independently, but return to comfort their visit site here child at timed intervals. The Ferber method gives babies the opportunity to learn to fall asleep on their own — and fall back to sleep when they wake up during the night.

Some parents who sleep train with cry it out opt not to go back into their baby’s room at all, even if the baby cries for a long time. The Ferber method is considered to be a gentler option, since it involves periodically checking in on your baby when she’s crying.

During the check-ins, you’ll go to your baby at timed intervals that gradually get longer until she falls asleep. The check-ins also get longer on subsequent nights. Ferber calls it the "progressive waiting approach."

You can soothe your baby verbally or give her a gentle rub or pat. But you shouldn’t pick her up or feed her, and your visits should only last a minute or two.

How do you do the Ferber method?

Even though sleep training can sometimes feel hard emotionally, the actual steps of the Ferber method are simple and straightforward. Here’s what you’ll do:

After your bedtime routine, put your baby into her crib. She should be drowsy but awake.

Tell your baby goodnight and leave the room. If your baby cries, wait for a set amount of time (more on how long below), then go back in to briefly comfort her by talking in a soothing voice or gently patting her. Don’t pick her up or feed her.   Leave the room and repeat as needed if your baby continues to cry, going back in to reassure her at specific timed intervals.

When should you start the Ferber method on your baby?

Babies are generally ready for sleep training, including methods like Ferber, around 5 or 6 months. At that point, they’re developmentally capable of self-soothing. They’re also old enough to sleep through the night without eating.

But if you have questions or aren’t sure whether your little one is quite there yet, don’t hesitate to bring it up with her pediatrician.  

You don’t have to sleep train as soon as your baby hits the 5- or 6-month mark. If you’d feel more comfortable holding off until your little one is a bit older, that’s okay. Just keep in mind that the older your baby gets, the harder it might be for her to learn to fall asleep on her own instead of being rocked, fed or soothed by you.