Ferber Method

Brittany

So I started sleep training my son last night using the Ferber Method with "gradual extinction". It actually went really well last night which surprised me. He woke up twice and I had to let him cry for a few minutes before checking on him...then he fell asleep after briefly crying again after I left the room. He woke up again later babbling to himself lol, but went back to sleep after maybe 2 minutes. This was a wonderful night considering he's 6 months old and had been waking up 6 or 7 times every night of his life lol.

I know so many people are against this method because it's "mean" to let your baby cry. But I only let him cry for 3 minutes and then 5 minutes (he was asleep before we got further than that) and I'd go in, smile and talk to him, rub his back and face and hold his hands. I'm not mean lol. Plus, my mom used this method on me 27 years ago and I have a GREAT relationship with her. She's my best friend aside from my husband and we get along fantastic lol. No lasting harm done there. All I want is to create healthy sleep habits for my son and maybe catch a little more sleep myself.

What are your thoughts on sleep training? We haven't had a nap yet, so any advice for naps and sleep training?