Holly you are no way a wimp, I completely understand I didn't do it with dd because it was so awful, but ds is a completely different baby and i know that if i don't do it i'll regret it in the end. I think you have to do whats right for you and your baby. The other reason for me is that is affecting mine and dhs relationship alot which is not good for the kids if we are rowing all the time like we are. We are both so bloody tired and neither of us sleep properly when ds is in the middle of the bed.
I am no expert at this Foxy, have not done it before but have read it in that book, and several others before. Ds never co slept until he was unwell in december, before that he was sleeping through most nights and if he was waking he was very easy to settle or setted him self. We started bringing him in with us as I was so worried about his breathing when he had a chest infection, so it has sort of continued from there on as he has been ill virtualy every few weeks. He has had broncillitus twice ,(sp?) croup, chest infection, thorat infection, some weird sickness high temp virus that dd had, colds, etc.. Normally what happens is that he goes to bed no problem - usually falling asleep straight after his last bottle at 6.30-7.00 and he goes into his cot then, but then he wakes some time in the early hours 1-3 usually. This is when we would give in and bring him to us, saying when he falls asleep we'll move him, it never happens as we wake hours later, try and move him and then he wakes up soon as we put him in his cot and we're off again. So we have just started to take one night on one night off in settling him (probaly some expert would say it should be the same person all the time?) anyway couldn't cope with that. So when he wakes we have picked him up, rocked him a bit (standing in nursery)and then put him down as he gets drowsy, walking out waiting for cries, which tbh are real frustrated temper tantrum cries. Then go back after 1 min, do the same, extend to 2 minutes, 5 minutes...etc to max 15 minutes and then plateau until he actually sleeps. It is very traumatic, but I feel it is a battle of wills really he wants his own way.....as I said he is different to dd and when he is awake he has been 'stroppy' from day one when he wants his own way, it might sound a bit harsh and that can a ten month old be that aware ? I don't know. and I don't know if i'll succeed. I just have this fear that if I don't try dh and I will continue rowing and end up hating each other, ds will be in our bed still at 2,3,4,5,....18 that he will get used to bawling when he wants his own way? But I am hating it every step of the way. Please no one shout at me and tell me i'm cruel as I feel awful......
On the dairy front, have dramatically cut ds milk down to two 8oz bottles a day first thing and last thing, this was as he not eating properly also as reflux baby seemed more sensible to cut it down as it gave him gut ache even with gaviscon. He still has splashes of milk in various meals, and in breakfast unless he has scrambled egg and beans. Have found he is really sick if he has yoghurt or fromage frais, so never give him any at all, but give him milky puds like semolina, rice pud, ice cream, custard...... he also loves jelly....... Night night am going to bed early. Have a good sleep all xx