Thehock: The Ferber method lets the baby cry; I do not. I have a hybrid of the Ferber Method and “The Baby Whisperer” (a great book for new parents). For example, I do not rock or shake when putting the baby to sleep since this will cause a “crutch” that the baby will expect every time. When you stop, it’ll start crying. I let the baby cry for short periods and then console them but increase the response time going on.
Interesting tidbit….most NON western countries, babies have skin to skin contact with the mother for 90% of the time until 1.5 years old. The average baby cries in non western countries is 10 seconds per hour! Wow!