Last night I started the Ferber method of controlled crying with my 8 month old son. I have practiced gentle, attachment parenting until now and it has worked well in all areas apart from sleep. I am a solo mum and have not slept for more than a couple of hours in a row since my son was born. The chronic sleep deprivation has started to affect me in numerous ways, none of which are good for my son. I have taken this step out of desperation, and with a lot of guilt. Last night wasn’t too bad. He went to sleep pretty easily and only woke twice in the night – once for ten minutes with very little crying, and the second time for 1.5 hours with crying on and off. I went it to comfort him after the time periods recommended by Ferber – 3 mins, 5 mins, 10 mins.
I never, ever imagined I would do this. I have always been completely against controlled crying and so wish it had not come to this. I desperately hope I am doing the right thing by my darling son.