by R.L Hanlon

Created on: July 21, 2008

There comes a time in many parents lives where fatigue causes a number of issues within the family. For whatever reason, whether it is teething or a form of separation anxiety, a baby in its first two years of life may wake and cry in the evening and disrupt the sleep habits of all other family members.

For parents who have tried everything from patting, rocking and even co-sleeping, the continuous interrupted sleep may lead you towards the 5-10-15 method of achieving much needed sleep in the home.

Also known as the Ferber Method, named after the expert on child sleep Dr Richard Ferber, this method is one that requires a strong resolve on behalf of the parent but is one that works when all other avenues have been exhausted.

Following is a guide on how to use the 5-10-15 method to solve your baby sleep issues.

DEVELOP GOOD SLEEP PATTERNS EARLY

As soon as your baby is bought home, good sleep habits must be established. Always put baby in their cot or bassinet awake and let them go to sleep naturally. Remove all items that could possibly stimulate your baby's senses, which includes lights, toys and mobiles that hang above the cot.

HAVE YOU ELIMINATED ALL POSSIBLE CAUSES OF INTERRUPTED SLEEP?

Assess your baby's environment to see if there is a reason for their waking. Is there a train or truck that makes noise at that particular time of the night? Is your baby cold or too hot, causing them to wake from their sleep? Does another child wake and therefore wake the baby?

Besides sickness and teething issues, if all possible causes have been eliminated and you can find there is no reason for your baby's waking, the Ferber method can be used.

WHEN IT IS TIME FOR THE 5-10-15 METHOD

If like me, you find that your previously good sleeper suddenly begins crying out of an evening after you have done all of the above. Other methods to help your baby sleep may need to be introduced.

I have had three children and find that at approximately six to twelve months they begin changing their sleep patterns. It is when you have exhausted all methods to ease your child back to sleep, and when perpetual interrupted sleep begins causing issues when the 5-10-15 method may need to be employed.

If you don't seem to be effected by a waking baby and the interrupted sleep and other methods work for you, then the Ferber Method may not be required.

IS YOUR BABY READY FOR THE 5-10-15 METHOD?

I am of the belief that a baby younger than six months is not emotionally ready for the Ferber method. Up until

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