[cborsa7]

First I respectfully disagree that there is no rule to go by. The professionals at the sleep center definatly use a strict process and success is usually seen within a few days. This is usually why you will hear someone say it didn't work for them. Key is being consistent. Rocking may be working for you at this point, and that's great if it is. I will also ask you again in a few years.

We have 3 children 18,10 and 17 months. Both Bio children had sleep issues (like most children). I rocked my oldest to sleep until she was 2 1/2, and then she slept in her crib all night. Once out of the crib I was never able to keep my oldest in a bed on her own and it was always an all night event with her.To this day she has a hard time sleeping alone. A friend from High school lost her child to co-sleeping so this has never been an option for us. When we brought Nic home I knew I wasn't ready to go through all the sleepless nights anymore. I spent a lot of time in Guatemala before bringing him home and waited until I felt he was adjusting well before seeking professional help.

Below is the process we used found in the book. Continue to rock your child and have that snuggle time. Start this process at a reasonable bedtime for the child. When the child is normally falling asleep, that may be different than your time now if you rock for a long time. It is important to start this when the child is getting drowsy on their own. Do whatever your bedtime ritual is, rocking, bathing, reading, whatever. Then as you see they are getting drowsy lay the child in the crib. Don't make a big deal out of leaving. Tuck them in and say goodnight. The crying WILL usually start. When it does follow this schedule:
Day 1: after 3 minutes return to the room, if they are standing, lay the child down, tuck in, say goodnight. No more than 2 minutes of soothing and DO NOT pickup. Remember you are soothing and reassuring, not trying to just stop the crying.
leave the room again and wait 5 minutes. Repeat the steps. DO NOT pickup the child. 3rd wait is 10 minutes, same thing repeat the process. DO NOT pickup. All subsequent waits will be at 10 minute intervals the rest of day 1.
Day 1 took me an hour. I was NOT happy and obviously my little guy wasn't either. But, off to sleep and no wakings all night.
Day 2: same process as above but first wait time is now 5 minutes before return. 2nd wait time goes to 10 minutes, 3rd to 12 minutes and then 12 minutes the rest of day 2 until a sleep.
Day 2 took me 20 minutes. Now, I'm loving this.
Day 3: same process again 1st wait time 10 minutes, 2nd wait time 12 minutes and then 15 minutes rest of day 3.
Day 3 a sleep in 14 minutes. I'm really loving this!

Each day after 3 you increase the increments before you go in. Day 3 for me was all it took. Day 4, no cry and went to sleep. Hasn't been an issue since unless I rock until fully a sleep, then I have to restart this from the beginning again. The only time I do that is if he is sick. The sleep center suggested being patient with this 1 week. Some get it quickly, some don't.

There really is so much information and variations you can try in the book so I still suggest getting a copy. If they wake in the middle of the night, it is the same process. Start your intervals again the same way until back to sleep. Mine still will cry out in the middle of the night, but is back to sleep before the 10 minutes I give it to go in. If your little one is soothed by music, I also suggest a crib soother/music player. I bought this at Target and it sets to play for 10 minutes upon the sound of a cry.

I hope this gives you something to try and be successful with. Remember, the first night will probably be awful. Mostly for you. Good Luck!