Danni - we go to the appoints as i love getting her weighed and also just touching base, you know reassurance that the fact that her sleep went up the put is normal etc etc. Also when she is weighed, i have always taken a photo of her, its great to compare.
I dont think that you are bad for not going at all. Its not something that you HAVE to do.
Shell we havent been since 8 months as that was the last scheduled one, next one i need to make an appointment for next week - OMG its 5 days til her birthday!!!
I cant believe it, its just crept up

MJ cut another 2 teeth this week so she has 5 now, 3 on the top and 2 on the bottom

Shell with the sleep, i went back to feeding MJ immediatly before bed, so she is quite sleepy, then i give her a cuddle and tell her i love her and that its sleepy time. I give her, her special sleeping toy (that was the best thing, introducing only one toy that was a night toy, she doesnt play with it out of the cot) and then put her down. Initially there was a bit of fussing, but i would stay with her and sing or shush her and pat. This week i have graduated to putting her down and sitting on the other side of the room - facing her but not looking at her. Sometimes she gets upset, so i go over and resettle with a pat and a shush then i move away again. it usually takes between 10-30 mins to drop off to sleep. Its been a hard road and i know i am not at the end of it yet, but at least she is putting herself to sleep now - it has also meant that she settles herself back to sleep if she wakes in the night - so no crying (or not often anyway)
I have found that although this method is taking longer, i am happier with it as she is not so upset and knows that i am there for her.

Has anyone been watching Bringing up baby on ABC? Man its so full on, DH was yelling at the TV last night!