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Last reviewed: November 6, 2026 · Updated to reflect current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidance.
Quick answer: The Ferber method, also called graduated extinction or “check and console,” teaches a baby to fall asleep on their own. You put your baby down drowsy but awake, leave the room, and come back for brief check-ins at gradually longer intervals. It’s meant for healthy babies who are at least 6 months old. Most families see improvement within about a week. It doesn’t mean stopping night feeds your baby still needs: ask your pediatrician whether your baby is ready to drop them. Always place your baby on their back in a crib with nothing else in it.
The method was developed by pediatric sleep specialist Dr. Richard Ferber and described in his book “Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems,” first published in 1985 and since revised. Here’s how it works, step by step.
What Is the Ferber Method?
Many babies learn to fall asleep only while being fed, rocked or held. When they wake briefly between sleep cycles at night, which everyone does, they need that same help to fall back asleep. The Ferber method helps your baby learn to settle themselves, while brief check-ins reassure them that you’re nearby.
Is My Baby Ready?
- Age: Dr. Ferber suggests waiting until about 6 months. Younger babies still need frequent night feeds and aren’t developmentally ready.
- Health: your baby should be healthy and growing well. Don’t start during an illness, teething flare, or big change such as travel or a new caregiver.
- Feeding: ask your pediatrician how many night feeds your baby still needs. Many 6-month-olds still need one or two.
- You’re ready too: it takes consistency for several nights, so pick a week when you can stick with it.
How to Do the Ferber Method, Step by Step
- Set up a safe sleep space. Your baby sleeps on their back, in a crib with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet, with no pillows, bumpers, toys or loose blankets.
- Do a calm, consistent bedtime routine, such as a bath, pajamas, a feed, a book and a song.
- Put your baby down drowsy but awake, say goodnight and leave the room.
- If your baby cries, wait for the first check-in interval in the chart below.
- Check in briefly, for a minute or two. Use a calm voice and a gentle pat if you like, but don’t pick your baby up, feed them or turn on bright lights.
- Leave again and wait a little longer before the next check-in. Keep going until your baby falls asleep.
- Use the same approach for night wakings, except for any night feeds your pediatrician says your baby still needs. Keep those feeds quiet and dim, then put your baby back down awake.
- Increase the waiting times each night, following the chart.
This is the check-in schedule from Dr. Ferber’s book. You can adjust the times to suit your family. Shorter intervals work too, as long as you’re consistent.
Day 1
1st check-in after: 3 minutes
2nd check-in after: 5 minutes
3rd check-in after: 10 minutes
Later check-ins after: 10 minutes
Day 2
1st check-in after: 5 minutes
2nd check-in after: 10 minutes
3rd check-in after: 12 minutes
Later check-ins after: 12 minutes
Day 3
1st check-in after: 10 minutes
2nd check-in after: 12 minutes
3rd check-in after: 15 minutes
Later check-ins after: 15 minutes
Day 4
1st check-in after: 12 minutes
2nd check-in after: 15 minutes
3rd check-in after: 17 minutes
Later check-ins after: 17 minutes
Day 5
1st check-in after: 15 minutes
2nd check-in after: 17 minutes
3rd check-in after: 20 minutes
Later check-ins after: 20 minutes
Day 6
1st check-in after: 17 minutes
2nd check-in after: 20 minutes
3rd check-in after: 25 minutes
Later check-ins after: 25 minutes
Day 7
1st check-in after: 20 minutes
2nd check-in after: 25 minutes
3rd check-in after: 30 minutes
Later check-ins after: 30 minutes
How Long Does It Take to Work?
Many babies fall asleep faster and wake less within 3 to 7 nights. Some take longer, and it’s common for crying to get a little worse for a night or two before it improves. If there’s no improvement after about 2 weeks, take a break and talk to your pediatrician.
Is the Ferber Method Safe?
In a 2016 randomized trial of babies 6 to 16 months old, graduated extinction helped babies fall asleep faster and wake less, and a year later there were no differences in children’s emotional or behavioral problems or in their attachment to their parents. Sleep training is still a personal choice. Gentler approaches, such as staying in the room and gradually moving your chair toward the door, also work for many families.
Tips for Success
Keep the Same Bedtime Routine
A predictable routine in the same order every night helps your baby know sleep is coming.
Stay Consistent
Switching between methods, or sometimes picking your baby up and sometimes not, can confuse them and make crying last longer. Agree on a plan with your partner before you start.
Keep Check-Ins Short and Boring
A minute or two of calm reassurance is enough. The goal is to show your baby you’re there, not to get them to sleep.
Don’t Cut Feeds Your Baby Still Needs
Night feeds are normal and important for many babies at 6 months and beyond. Talk to your pediatrician before dropping them, and drop them gradually. Don’t give water to babies under 6 months, and don’t replace milk feeds with water. Never put your baby to bed with a bottle.
Keep Daytime Naps
An overtired baby has a harder time falling asleep. Keep regular naps during the day.
Pick a Consistent Wake-Up Time
Starting the day at about the same time each morning helps set your baby’s body clock.
When to Stop and Call the Doctor
Stop sleep training and check with your pediatrician if your baby seems unwell, has a fever, vomits from crying, isn’t feeding well or gaining weight, or if snoring, breathing pauses or reflux might be disturbing their sleep.
For more help, see our guide to the 6-month sleep regression.
The Bottom Line
The Ferber method uses timed, gradually longer check-ins to help babies 6 months and older learn to fall asleep on their own. It usually works within a week when parents are consistent. Keep any night feeds your baby still needs, follow safe sleep guidance, and talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician before starting sleep training.
2 Sources
Newborn Stages uses trusted sources, including government health agencies, children’s hospitals and pediatric organizations, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn how we research, fact-check and keep our content accurate.
- HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics. How to keep your sleeping baby safe: AAP policy explained.
- Gradisar M, et al. Behavioral Interventions for Infant Sleep Problems: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pediatrics, 2016.
