"According to Margot's research, a child that has been brought up with ample affection and human touch will be a less-fearful, calmer person"
Makes perfect sense.
BUT, parents who leave their child to cry for a short while, rather than picking up at every wimper are not starving their child of affection or human touch. Is she talking about people who totally blank and ignore a screaming baby for hours on end? If so, she's probably got a valid point and IMO that's child abuse. Most who try controlled crying don't do that though.
Every morning ds3 goes down for a nap at 11am. He's 12 wks old and I swaddle him, cuddle him for a while and say 'shhhh' in his ear, give him kisses and then put him down. Sometimes he makes no noise and goes straight off, sometimes he wimpers and whines for a bit but he's asleep in 5 minutes.
The other lady in the article says she left her daughter crying for 1.5hrs the first night and 1hr the next. Hmmm, I've done 'controlled crying' but never left a baby clearly distressed for more than 5-10 mins. Even so, she only did it for 3 nights and has had full nights sleep ever since! Much better for the family all round than a mother or father dead on their feet for 3 years till the little tike decides night time is for sleeping!!
Got a feeling this one might get contentious KangaMummy.
Also got a feeling I'll be in trouble from some quarters for leaving mine to cry to 5 mins - can't seem to do anything right on here!!