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. 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.