I agree it's really impossible to know how one particular part of parenting can affect a child. And it depends on the child too, I'm sure.

I wasn't left to CIO. Because I was the good baby that slept well and wasn't good at crying for attention.

My brother was more needy. He was not settled or as good a sleeper. He wanted (no, needed) attention in the night. He was left to CIO from a very early age. Frankly, it shows. He has a low sense of self worth and depression.

I wasn't welcome in my parents bed at night. I was shooed away and I remember that. I remember feeling that I was on my own and that I couldn't go to my parents when I needed reassurance. One reason that I will never leave DS alone in distress is that I never want him to feel that he can't come to us when he needs to.

I think my mum parented this way because she believed it was best. hi ngs change as we got older and I feel really close to her now.