Controlled crying not working on 8 month old

[MumT]

We've been leaving our baby girl to cry herself to sleep for months now and we NEVER change her routine or try something else as I've been warned that that will just make things worse.

She cries herself to sleep at every daytime nap and at nighttime and it's so sad to have to listen to an otherwise happy little girl sound so sad. All the books said it would stop after a week or so, but here we are, months later, still listening to her. It's hearbreaking. Any ideas what we're doing wrong?

Doesn't the 'crying herself to sleep' bit ring some serious alarm bells with you?
It obviously isn't working.
She is small and traumatised.
FGS,pick her up and cuddle her.

If it's been going on for months and it's heartbreaking then maybe you should stop doing it?
FWIW I always breastfed/cuddled my children to sleep and they are great sleepers now.

I find this really sad - don't get me wrong, I don't really blame you, I blame all those stupid books and childcare experts (and I don't mean anybody in particular there!) who keep banging on that children have to learn to fall asleep by themselves.

Stupid, IMO.

"it will make things worse"

HOW could it be worse???????????????????

When you say crying to sleep, do you mean she just grizzles for a bit & then drops off, or are we talking full on howling for ages & ages?
One of my children always used to kick off for a bit as a baby just before dropping off to sleep but never for very long & then slept very soundly.
Perhaps you could tell us a bit more MumT.

Controlled crying isn't recommended for any baby under 12 months - for good reason. If a small baby cries, they need something.

Who is "warning" you and why are you listening to them when it's breaking your heart listening to your baby cry? It makes me so sad that people think they have to do this when it goes against everything their instincts tell them.

Leaving her alone to cry isn't working - and why would it? She's a tiny baby and she needs you.