Starting Ferber -- any advice, words of encouragement?

KTH919 · April 2009

I've read the book (highlighted and reviewed key points) and feel prepared to start. I was just wondering if anyone who's done it has any tips for us. I'm so nervous to let him cry! Thanks!

IckyThump · April 2009

My main piece of advice is to just stick with it. On the first night I told DH that I wanted to stop because listening to DS cry was so hard. DH talked me out of it and DS was asleep 5 minutes later. The first two nights were hard, but he was making progress and by night 3, he put himself to sleep without a peep.

You just need to keep reminding yourself the this is for his own good. Learning to put himself to sleep is a very important skill. Two and a half months later, DS is taking two good naps a day, puts himself to sleep and STTN. I never thought he would ever do this. I honestly think Ferber was the best thing we've done for DS so far.

Good luck!

mommajen8 · April 2009

IckyThump:

My main piece of advice is to just stick with it. On the first night I told DH that I wanted to stop because listening to DS cry was so hard. DH talked me out of it and DS was asleep 5 minutes later. The first two nights were hard, but he was making progress and by night 3, he put himself to sleep without a peep.

You just need to keep reminding yourself the this is for his own good. Learning to put himself to sleep is a very important skill. Two and a half months later, DS is taking two good naps a day, puts himself to sleep and STTN. I never thought he would ever do this. I honestly think Ferber was the best thing we've done for DS so far.

Good luck!

this!!!! EXACTLY what icky said!!!

MexicoBride0507 · April 2009

Just be consistent!

mlf625 · April 2009

Just be prepared to be STRONG. ?It sucks to hear your kid cry and I'm ashamed to admit, the first time we tried Ferber I caved, which is about the worst thing you can do. ?But then I read Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. ?That book really helped me get around the worry and fear I felt about letting DS cry. ?It made me realize I was helping him get the sleep he needs and it was just the first of about a million lessons we had to help him learn. ?And now he sleeps 12-14 hours straight at night, goes down awake and puts himself to sleep, and we are ALL better rested and happier.

Good luck! ??

cruisebride2005 · April 2009

We've been using Sleepeasy Solution which is essentially the same method. ?The first 3 nights/days were fantastic with DS crying less than 5 minutes after the first time; however we hit a road block around day 5, where he would cry for 1-2 hours. ?This has since passed, however, and DS's sleep is greatly improved so my advice is stick with it and give it a week or two before making any judgements. ?DS has gone from two 30 minutes naps per day to two 1-5-2 hours naps, and is now STTN (he used to wake twice for night feedings).

hodgie · April 2009

I agree with all pp-we started Ferber to get rid of some middle of the night feedings around 7 months. ?It worked really well and we were down to one feeding. ?He then went back to waking up multiple times per night so we got rid of that last feeding and he has done great ever since! ?I can't believe what a difference it has made to get consecutive hours of sleep in the night.

KTH919 · April 2009

Thanks, ladies. I know we will ALL be happier and better rested after this. I have to keep telling myself that to get through it. Thanks!

lilles · April 2009

Don't do it! Dr. Ferber himself states in the April issue of Baby Talk that he is NOT advocating CIO and that people have misinterpreted his first book!!!

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