Ferber method

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Ferberization is a technique invented by Dr. Richard Ferber to solve infant sleep problems.

Primarily, it involves progressively training children to put themselves to sleep autonomously. While some regard it as a cold, callous approach, most experts regard it as simply one of many possible approaches in dealing with children who have difficulty falling asleep alone. Some people do not feel that getting a baby to sleep alone is a worthwhile objective, and instead advocate the "family bed" or co-sleeping approach.

[edit] Ferberization summarized

Dr. Richard Ferber discusses and outlines a wide range of practices to teach an infant to sleep. The term Ferberization is now popularly used to refer to the following techniques:

Take steps to prepare the baby to sleep. This includes night-time rituals and day-time activities.
At bedtime, leave the child in bed and leave the room.
Return at progressively increasing intervals to comfort the baby (without picking him up). For example, on the first night, some scenarios call for returning first after three minutes, then after five minutes, and thereafter each ten minutes, until the baby is asleep.
Each subsequent night, return at intervals longer than the night before. For example, the second night may call for returning first after five minutes, then after ten minutes, and thereafter each twelve minutes, until the baby is asleep.

The technique is targeted at infants over 6 months of age. Some babies are capable of sleeping through the night at 3 months, and most are capable of sleeping through the night at 6 months. Before 6 months of age, the baby may still need to feed during the night.

[edit] References in pop culture

The Ferber method was humorously highlighted in the comedy movie Meet the Fockers where Robert De Niro's character tries to instill the Ferber method in his grandson.