Happy Sunday! Back from the trenches of Ferberland. Just when Noob Daddy and I were starting to get a little bit cocky that our Noob Baby might be above the curve on sleep training, she decided to wake up at 4 am and cry-it-out she did! With passion, might I add. Poor thing…
She cried for an hour, and I went in and checked on her 3 times from 4-5 am. It was definitely hard, but she is learning to fall asleep on her own. My back thanks her for it! Her naps averaged about 10 minutes of crying, which is already an improvement from the first two days. This morning, it took only 8 minutes for her to fall asleep for the morning nap!
Well, here’s to hoping this training pays off. Are you attempting a sleep revolution with your baby? I would love to hear about it!
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I finally gave sleep training my 100% attention a few months ago. It’s one of the hardest things to do, but so worth it! We did cio, too
Good luck and it gets better–I promise
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I remember those nights as well. Hang in there~ it will be worth it very soon.
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Hi Noob mommy, first time reading your blog and so far, I’m loving it esp. the Ferber sections since I’m on day 3 now. Just wanted to ask you about this method since I didnt read the book and just picking up info here and there online. When we go in to console our baby, are we allowed to touch and talk to them after doing it the first time? Thanks!
Just found your tips on how to Ferberize. Currently on night 1…minute 12.
It’s breaking my heart.
Chas – Good luck hun! I know the feeling and had it for 11 days! Hang in there. It will pay off and you will regain some sanity and beauty rest. Keep us updated!
We are going to try to Feberize our baby (15 wks old) right after we get home from Christmas vacation (I decided it wouldn’t be a good idea to try it while staying in a different house/different routine, etc) My little guy is getting up 4-5x a night, usually. (sometimes more- 11x in one night last week, but that may have been a growth spurt)
We put him in his crib awake, but tired, and he will put himself to sleep. Right now we swaddle and use a pacifier, but I am rethinking using both of those, and when we start Ferberizing I might just go cold-turkey quitting both of those- is that what you’d recommend? I am just thinking that if he is to learn to self-sooth he might want to suck on his fingers/thumb, especially if we get rid of the pacifier
Right now he will not fall asleep w/o being swaddled (nap or nighttime) The problem is not getting him to sleep, it’s keeping him asleep, I am just not sure if he’s hungry (because he will eat whenever I offer the breast) I don’t know if he can go the whole night w/o eating. I’m not opposed to letting him cry-it-out if he fed/dry/etc, but I am not sure when I should give in and feed him and when I should just let him CIO. Any advice on this?
Thanks in advance,
Ali
Ali – I believe Ferber recommends sleep training at around 5-6 months. At that age, our little ones are capable of sleeping through the night (5+ hours) because their bellies are able to hold more nutrients. You may want to consider waiting a month before you begin just so you give yourself a little more peace of mind knowing he can physically go for an extended period of time without needing a middle of the night feed. On the other hand, waking 4-5 times up to 11 x a night is pretty much a sure sign he’s not hungry. When you feed him during the night, is he just snacking and falling back to sleep? I imagine he’s not eating a full feed each time. That is the best indicator of whether or not he’s actually hungry or using you as a soothing device. I’ve heard wonderful things about swaddling up to 8 months or so (basically when they can get themselves out of the swaddle). Many parenting experts swear by this for as long as they want to be swaddled. As for the pacifier … if you do decide to Ferberize … I would go with no paci. It is much easier to have one less habit to break while you’re going through the training. And, like you said, they can always find their thumb if they need that comfort. Ferber doesn’t recommend parents going in during the sleep training process and replacing the binky every time it falls out. It’s too confusing for the child. I think your instincts on that are just right! Good luck with your decision! If you decide to sleep train now or later on, please come back and share your success with us!