Although Ferber has found that a one step approach is usually preferred by most families and often works better, he also mentions how to sleep train in multiple steps. If you choose to do this method (beginning no sooner than 3-5 months of age) you could do things similar to the one step approach but eliminate just one (or however many you choose) problem at a time. For example, if you are trying to eliminate night time feedings you may
continue going in to your child when he calls/cries to comfort him but not feed him. Once he no longer requires feedings then you can start working on fixing other sleep associations, possibly with the "progressive waiting" method. Another example would be a child that is having a lot of anxiety. You may want to stay with your child as you get rid of other sleep associations before leaving them in their room by themselves and moving to the "progressive waiting" method. Yet another common example would be something like rocking your child to sleep. You can start by no longer rocking your child to sleep but just holding him before trying the "progressive waiting" method.
Some children do not fall asleep as well with their parents in the room and so a one step approach may simply work better for them. If you are unsure of which approach to take you can always start with one method and change it if it doesn't work out for your family. Do try and keep as much consistency as possible though.
continue going in to your child when he calls/cries to comfort him but not feed him. Once he no longer requires feedings then you can start working on fixing other sleep associations, possibly with the "progressive waiting" method. Another example would be a child that is having a lot of anxiety. You may want to stay with your child as you get rid of other sleep associations before leaving them in their room by themselves and moving to the "progressive waiting" method. Yet another common example would be something like rocking your child to sleep. You can start by no longer rocking your child to sleep but just holding him before trying the "progressive waiting" method.
Some children do not fall asleep as well with their parents in the room and so a one step approach may simply work better for them. If you are unsure of which approach to take you can always start with one method and change it if it doesn't work out for your family. Do try and keep as much consistency as possible though.
Rachel, my 6 week old has started the 30 minute intruder. I know it may be too early to sleep train., but are some good habits we can implement now besides nap routine? Other issue is she's relying pacifier to go to sleep. During the night she doesn't. She sleeps after nursing right away. I want to improve the napping situation and rid of the pacifier and bouncing on ball to get her sleepy. What am I to do? My first slept train at 3,5, but this one is starting bad naps way to early.
ReplyDeleteDiane Tran,
DeleteI left you a response to this on your other comment :)
Hi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteLove your site so helpful! I have been reading the Dr. Ferber book, how ever I have a couple of questions.
My son just turn 5 months, my husband and I are going to start the Ferber method on him, but one night after me being so over constantly waking up so that he could fall back asleep again on my breast I was done, I let him cio, I did the waiting period dr. Ferber suggest, cold turkey, and since then we have had 2 nights of good sleep, does this mean that it worked for him? Should we still do it properly?
My other question is do I train him for his naps and night time sleep at the same time? Because he also falls asleep on my boob for naps and I have to nap with him (eyeroll).
My daughter has recently stopped going to sleep on her own (after doing it with no issues for 9+ MONTHS). She is now one year old and has recently started sitting up and screaming until we pick her up or rock her to sleep (naps and bedtime) My question is: when practicing ferber method, do I lay her back down when I "visit" or leave her in a sitting position? There are times that she has screamed and cried for nearly an hour (I HATE it!) and absolutely will not lay back down.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know the same thing; we're thinking of starting sleep training with our LO this weekend as he is currently nursing to sleep and then waking up once or twice a night and won't go back to sleep on his own. He cries as if trying to get back to sleep, then eventually sits up and continues to cry until we get him.
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