I did CIO with my first child. Never again I swore. But then DD1 was having a HORRIBLE time when she was around 15 months, she just wouldn't go to sleep - no matter what we tried, we tried EVERYTHING. I posted numerous threads asking for help, and the only thing that DID work - was letting her cry for 2 minutes, going in, settling her down, staying in there stroking her hair, and then leaving when she was calm. It took a few months before this worked fully and she would go to sleep on her own, but I tell you what, having to stay in there with her for up to 2 hours trying to get her to go to sleep instead of playing around - was so very hard when you had two other kids!!

We haven't had to do it with DD2 - and I'm hoping we don't. But at the moment, DH sits in with DD2 trying to get her to sleep, and I sit in with DS and DD1 until they go to sleep, and sometimes it still takes an hour. Its hard. Its draining - and I hope you never have to experience it cos the tough love approach really does suck balls.