Every baby is different, but one thing is the same: they cry to communicate. Our most difficult job as parents is to figure out what they need and never stop offering comfort while doing so.

goignt to help every time seems to have made the period shorter shorter and worse and worse, if it was every hour I would do it maybe even 30 mins, but 15 or 10, no this is helping no one….baby cried regardless of co sleeping or in cot

Thank god for this book. Ferber doesn’t advocate ignoring at all. The parent is fully engaged with the baby throughout the training, although he thinks allowing some crying is fine. He does equip parents with a wealth of non-bedtime ideas for improving baby’s schedules and sleep rythms. I learned so much that I hadn’t found in other books or in online searches! I believe strongly in most of the methods of attachment parenting, but sometimes to be available to “attach” a parent needs a good night’s sleep.

This is totally anecdotal, I know, but my first child was not left to CIO. At five, she still needs coddling to sleep and is (and has been) a much less happy child during the day and prone to anxiety. The younger one, who did have to CIO until she learned to sleep, goes to bed happily and is more secure, content, and self confident throughout the day. Probably a matter of personality, but something to consider. Also, I was able to stay home with the younger one and breastfeed her for two years, which I wasn’t able to do with the first. Perhaps that made the difference? Child rearing is a complex thing.

I do agree, though, that the app you describe sounds horrible.

Every parent is different, just as every child is also different. It’s impossible to raise two kids in the same household the same way when each child has their own personality.

Let’s just get this out of the way. Is the app ridiculous? Yes, I believe so. But there’s an option you have. Don’t use it.
Problem solved.