Michelle Obama Reveals Parenthood Disagreement Over Sleep Training

Michelle Obama shared that she and her husband, Barack Obama, had differing opinions on using a controversial sleep training method when their daughters, Sasha and Malia, were infants.

During a conversation with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt on her podcast, Michelle discussed their use of the Ferber Method, which involves letting a child cry for specific intervals before offering comfort. The approach was developed by Dr. Richard Ferber and has sparked debate among parents.

Michelle admitted she was initially hesitant about the technique. “I didn’t want to do it,” she said. “Barack did it, and I wasn’t sure about the idea that you just let the little person you love cry and cry.” She found it difficult to accept the concept, especially given her post-partum emotional state.

She explained that she couldn’t bring herself to hear her children cry overnight and would often cover her ears to block out the noise. Despite her reservations, Michelle acknowledged the method worked quickly—she said after about two nights, her daughters adapted, especially since they started early.

Michelle recounted that they arranged for Barack to handle nighttime care, allowing her to rest. “We set it up where Barack took the night shift. I went to bed, which was helpful because it got me some sleep.” She added that her emotional side made it hard to witness her kids crying, leading her to sometimes cover her ears.

The couple used the Ferber Method after weaning Malia from breastfeeding at around four or five months old, believing early intervention expedited responses from their children. Michelle emphasized, “The sooner you start, the quicker the child adapts.”

Michelle and Barack married in 1992 and are parents to Malia, 26, and Sasha, 24. Despite initial disagreements, she said they worked together to implement parenting strategies aimed at healthy habits for their children.