Quote Originally Posted by Cookiebaker View Post
The fact is, I have not raised a clingy needy child. She is a very well-rounded child, goes happily to other people and I can leave her with babysitters and she doesn't even cry. I personally think that when you leave a child to cry themselves to sleep in the dark, your child is much more likely to suffer from anxiety and separation difficulities. but when you make them feel secure, they are secure all the way around.
I don't believe that you should leave a child to cry themselves to sleep in the dark either, but if they have slept in their own bed/crib from the start, then this is rarely an event that would be normal. Of course there are always exceptions, and even children that have always slept by themselves will have an occasional issue with going to their own bed. Perhaps they are sick, just not ready for sleep, etc, etc., - then make an occasional exception.
And you are very fortunate that your baby doesn't have the problem of not wanting to be away from you, so this must be working well for you. I just know that the majority of younger mothers that I know who do or have co-slept, haven't had the success with it that you have had. Good job! Seriously!