I let my baby lead, i dont lead by the clock...(but i dont exceed the time limits recommended) if she gets too the hysterical stage, i will pick her up, and cuddle her until she is calm again.
I only had to use this method for 2 days, she goes to bed with not even a peep now...even if she plays in her cot until she falls asleep.. but she is not crying at all when i put her in her cot now, she can self settle.
At this age, babies can cry for attention, or just because they know it gets a response from us..so if you can tell the difference between the cries, it helps. for example, i know when Georgia just wants my reaction.. or if it is really a needy cry.. ie: nappy, hungry etc.
Georgia used to cry EVRYTIME she went to bed, so we ended up rocking her to sleep EVERYNIGHT AND DAY!! It was totally exhausting, and my decision to do controlled crying was based on the need to TEACH my baby how to self settle, and now she sleeps through the night from 7pm to 6 or 7 am... maybe i am just lucky.. but i think it was the CC that did it, cos she was so bad before!?
Also, its only the first 5 mins or so that are hard... then i went in to settle her, then it got to 2 mins and she was asleep... and again, i only did it for two days, and shes a changed baby!
I look at it this way... teaching your baby to be able to self settle is a very important gift..it paves the way for her future sleep health... so five minutes is nothing compared to the anxiety it causes when your baby grows into a child that cant go to bed with out mum and dad being called in every five seconds!
Also, just for the record for those who feel that those who do CC are not treating their children with respect....I tend to my child's needs meticulously, feed her when shes hungry, kiss her, cuddle her, change her, bath her, love her..etc etc... but when their is a need to help her to help herself...then i just do what i have to do..we all need sleep.... and this was a way that i taught Georgia...so we can all have some rest!! It is working well for me so far. And it has not caused her to be a grump or fretful baby...she is a very well adjusted happy baby.
I think some parents seem to think its like you have to leave your bubs to cry for hours... thats NOT what CC is! It is 'controlled' crying...and its not that big a deal!!
A well rested child is a happy child...and a sleeping child makes for happy mummy and daddy!!
Good luck for all those with sleep dramas, i hope you can find the secret for your bubs! Every ones child responds differently.
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