Sleep SanityFerber method timer
Pick tonight's night number and press start when you leave the room. The timer counts the wait, tells you when to check in, and moves to the next interval when you come back out. It uses the progressive waiting chart from Dr. Richard Ferber's book.
Ready for the first wait.
3:00
Keep the screen on. Check-ins are short: a calm voice, a pat, then leave again. If your baby is asleep when the timer ends, do not go in.
Ferber's progressive waiting chart
Minutes to wait before each brief check-in. After the third check-in on any night, keep repeating that night's longest wait. From night 8 on, keep using the night 7 intervals or stay where your baby is settling well.
| Night | First wait | Second wait | Every wait after that |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night 1 | 3 min | 5 min | 10 min |
| Night 2 | 5 min | 10 min | 12 min |
| Night 3 | 10 min | 12 min | 15 min |
| Night 4 | 12 min | 15 min | 17 min |
| Night 5 | 15 min | 17 min | 20 min |
| Night 6 | 17 min | 20 min | 25 min |
| Night 7 | 20 min | 25 min | 30 min |
Not sure the chart is right for your family? Read the full guide to the Ferber method, or compare it with the other approaches in sleep training methods compared.
Put this timer on your own site
Parenting bloggers and sleep consultants are welcome to embed the timer. Paste this where you want it to appear. It is free, carries no ads, and links back here.
<iframe src="https://sleepsanity.ca/learn/ferber-method-timer/?embed=1" title="Ferber method timer by Sleep Sanity" width="100%" height="720" style="border:0;border-radius:16px" loading="lazy"></iframe>
Sleep Sanity is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician before starting any sleep-training approach.
Let the app count the check-ins.
Sleep Sanity logs the night in one tap and tells you when the next check-in is due.
Free. No ads. No in app purchases.Or use it in your browser
