Ferber Method – Step Two

Eventually, at 10:30 last night, I got the baby to fall asleep. We tried crying it out for 45 minutes, and finally I fed him since the pediatrician had said that after 30 minutes, you could go ahead.

Baby: (hiccoughing) Why did you make me cry so long? Didn’t you know I needed you?

Me: Fine. Nurse if that’s what you need. But I’m really really tired.

Baby: You know all of this would go away if you’d just strap me to your chest 24-7. We’d both be happy.

Me: Um, not exactly what I’m looking for. Independent sleep, sweetie. That’s the goal here.

Baby: Well, just realize that I’m going to wake you up in three hours. Enjoy that small bit of sleep because that’s all you’re going to get. :slap: Ferberize me, will you? Well, we’ll just see about that.

2:00 a.m. last night (Baby cries)

Me: Okay. We’ll wait a few minutes and then I’ll go comfort him. Without picking him up.

Baby: Get in here! I’m hungry!

Me: (at 2:10 a.m.) It’s okay. You’re fine. Here, have a pacifier.

Baby: I don’t WANT a pacifier! I want YOUUUUUUUU… (bawls until a pacifier is jammed into his mouth)

Me: Night-night. (wait until 2:45. Baby screams and cries continuously. Note to other parents–closing both doors helps cut down on the noise factor. But you still can’t sleep through the crying.)

At 2:45, I went back into the nursery and fed the baby. Dang it, I was hoping he’d fall asleep after thirty minutes of crying. Not so much.

Baby: Where WERE you? I was getting hoarse. I need a cough drop, I think. Now get over here and FEED ME.

Me: Lord, you’re loud. Here. (snuggles baby, who sighs with relief)

And after all that, sadly I fell asleep with the baby in my arms. The idea of putting him back in his crib, only to go through all the crying again, was just exhausting. Yes, I am a wimp.

We’ll try again tonight. :duh: