Oops sorry - I didn't mean crying was ok.... I had heaps of 'helpful advice' that made me feel like a complete failure as I couldn't leave DD to cry etc and I felt like nothing worked! Silly me - I was comparing myself to others and not working out what worked for us (that was all I was hoping to convey).

We tried heaps of things and ended up with me sitting patting DD's tummy until she drifted off - she had sleeping bag and a comforter blanket. She cried the first night and I ended cuddling her to sleep but second and subsequent nights she seemed to understand. I couldn't make eye contact with her otherwise she got way too revved up to sleep.

She is now almost 3 and we still have disturbed sleep. Most recently she is clingy again (after the arrival of DD2) and we have to have 'special time' before bed and a set routine. This seems to reassure her about where we are whilst she is in bed.

All I had hoped to share with you was that you may need some time to change a routine for them - it does happen but you may experience steps forward and back (we have found once we try and change things it is often more challenging...) and it is a continual process of adapting to suit her needs. This is something DH still struggles with - as he feels things are fixed....

Also you will work out what suits your family - I have had to do things that other people have told me were 'wrong' and would 'spoil' her. In the end whatever works best for you all - funnily enough I also was a bad sleeper.... and my Dad thinks it is hilarious!

You will sort things out - just feels really bad when you are in the middle of it - especially with sleep stuff!