Some parents are blessed with a child that sleeps well most of the night. Others may have a nightly struggle with trying to put their child to sleep. They may have spent months or even years finding a method that helps, and, as a result, manage regular battles that leave everyone feeling sleep deprived. The Ferber sleep method was designed to help parents in these situations. This controversial method has been accepted by many parents who say that it solved their sleep problems, but others disagree with the practice.
History
Dr. Richard Ferber is a pediatric sleep specialist who founded the Children’s Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Children’s Hospital in Boston in 1978. Since that time, he has helped many families with nighttime struggles of getting their child to go to sleep and stay asleep through the night. In 1985, he wrote a book entitled “Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems,” which taught parents many of the techniques he encouraged in his clinic. Sales of the book have been extremely successful, and Dr. Ferber’s name as well as his method are associated with children’s sleep habits.
Features
The Ferber sleep method tells parents to go through a regular bedtime routine with their child. Afterward, parents are to put their child in his bed, say good-night and reassure him, and then leave the room, even if he cries. They should set a predetermined period of time to wait before going back in to check on the child. For example, after one minute, parents may return to soothe the child if he is still crying. Soothing means speaking calmly and touching the child, but parents should not pick him up. After a brief calming period, parents leave the room again and repeat the previous scenario, lengthening the interval of waiting between each time they have to return. They may wait 5 minutes before going back the next time, followed by a 10 minute interval, until the child learns to go to sleep.
Considerations
The Ferber sleep method is a practice that is not an exact science. Children’s Hospital of Boston states that Dr. Ferber has updated and revised his original book to teach parents that there is not only one correct method of getting children to sleep. The Ferber method does help parents who see problem behaviors due to poor limit-setting at bedtime, overfeeding during the night or inadequate sleep schedules for children.
Benefits
The benefits of using the Ferber sleep method are that bedtime struggles are reduced. When used consistently, the Ferber method teaches children that crying and tantrums will not manipulate their parents into returning for them. Parents that have seen success with the method state that their child behaves better during the day due to improved sleep and awakens less during the night. Parents also report better sleep for themselves and an improved relationship with their child.
Disadvantages
Arguments against the Ferber method claim that it induces separation anxiety in children and, by leaving a child to cry alone, dissolves trust toward a parent. Parents also complain that attempting the method feels cruel and goes against a natural instinct to protect their child. Long-term studies have not been done on the effects of this sleep method in terms of psychological outcome for children. The Ferber method is not recommended for children who already suffer from night terrors or bedtime anxiety, those with medical sleep disorders or children under the age of 6 months.
