I have cuddled both my girls to bed. I started changing things with DD#1 when she was 10 months old - mainly because I was then 7 months pregnant and was worried how I was going to cuddle two babies to sleep! I very, very gently phased in putting her to bed awake. Started cuddling her to sleep in her bedroom, then would put her down when she was almost asleep, gradually stretching that time out. I always lay on the floor next to her cot with my arms in patting/stroking her so there was constant contact. This also phased down slowly. It took probably 3 weeks before I could put her to bed wide awake and she would settle herself very happily without any crying whatsoever.

With DD#2 we have just started sometimes putting her to bed awake. I have the same concerns as you about DD#2 waking up DD#1. TBH, DD#1 seems to sleep through absolutely anything once she's actually asleep so I think your idea of just giving it a whirl and seeing what happens is a good one.

I agree whole heartedly with the PPs. Who cares what a book says. You will always have a huge proportion of the population that take the view that those of us who cuddle our babies to sleep are spoiling them, incapable parents, idiots or whatever. IMHO I think it is those people that miss out on beautiful time with their child and while it is at times inconvenient to not simply be able to put my baby down and walk out of her room, its a tiny price to pay for the reward of watching your child fall asleep safe and secure in your arms.