A criticism of "Ferberization" is that it is much too rigid and does not take into account the need to be flexible under certain circumstances. Ferber has conceded there are times when it is necessary to deviate from a routine, such as when the baby is sick, the family is traveling, or the baby is being cared for by a babysitter. However, the Ferber method can be an effective strategy when learning how to treat colic. Attachment parenting. Attachment Parenting teaches that separation from parents causes infants an inordinate amount of stress, so rather than letting a baby "cry it out," parents should console their babies whenever they cry, as well as keep their babies close by at all times. In addition, the notion that frequent physical contact and reassurance leads to children becoming overly dependent and needy adults is strongly challenged.
Contemporary proponents of attachment parenting advocate breastfeeding, carrying babies in a sling (referred to as "babywearing") rather than pushing them in a stroller and responding sensitively to your baby's cries as a means of building trust. They also advocate co-sleeping as a way for parents to connect with their infants at night and minimize their baby's night time separation anxiety, explaining that the parents' presence reassures baby that sleep is a pleasant state that is not to be feared.
Like the Ferber method, attachment parenting is not without its critics. One criticism is that attachment parenting is extremely demanding, particularly for those who do not have a support network of friends and family, and that its proponents downplay this aspect. Another common criticism is that it imposes unrealistic expectations on parents, mothers in particular.
The idea of never letting go go of your crying baby does not sound like an effective way of treating colic, but it is worth baring in mind that learning how to treat colic will mean it will have to be employed, so it's worth considering the wider benefits of this method. Learning what best for your baby It's important to remain focussed on goals when you teach your baby to sleep. Learning how to treat colic by combining the current popular sleep routines can provide a range of practical techniques for the frustrated parent. The main goal should be for your baby to enjoy going to bed, as opposed to being afraid of falling and staying asleep. In order to accomplish this, you will need to put some thought into your own approach to parenting a colicky baby.
Try to think about how the different approaches translate into what you do when putting your baby to bed. Also consider what it means when your baby wakes up in the middle of the night. With perseverance, your efforts will pay off and your baby will have the inner resources he needs to put himself to sleep.