Ideas on age for little ones to self settle

[krysalyss]

Hi Happy - Our DS is now 10 months and we have gone through periods of great self settling, then really interrupted sleep, now we are working on getting him to self settle. We figured it was time to begin (slowly) as he keeps launching himself on pillows during the day. We are just doing a bedtime routine of saying goodnight then milk then we pop him in the cot. Usually he jumps up a few times but unless he cries we dont do anything except say 'sleepy time'. If he cries we give him a cuddle then put him back down. Eventually (at this point after doing it for about 5 days he takes about half an hour) he just lies down with his dummy and blanky and goes to sleep. It takes a while at this point but he seems really happy during the process - if he was getting distressed we would re-think the plan. We cant leave the room yet though otherwise he gets upset so we just lie down on our bed (in the same room) with a book or the like. We dont ignore him - if he tries to get our attention (usually by giggling the little monkey) we just give him a smile and say sleepy time again so he gets used to the word. Eventually we want to move on to being able to leave him to self settle without us in the room but hes not at that point yet.
HTH

[HappyAtHome]

Thanks so much everyone - I have just purchased the book on e-bay and am looking forward to reading about the gentle strategies it suggests. It is re-affirming to hear how everyone's experiences are so different and that being guided by our little ones' needs means there is no 'right' age, just what feels right for us. Thanks krysallis - this strategy you are using feels like the next step from where we are at the moment. It may be a long process, but it will be gentle!
Thanks again to you all.