With DD in the early weeks I followed her lead a lot, at that age I believe they are too young to "cry for attention" so if DD cried I went to her and if she needed rocking or patting to sleep then I did. I suppose I was kinda lucky coz DD taught herself to self settle probably by around 5-6 months. But in saying that though, she was changeable from month to month and even now at nearly two she has her moments where she needs me to stay with her as she falls asleep. I just try to be sensitive and empathetic to her needs and not to follow a hard and fast rule.

I don't think teaching to self settle at 4 weeks would change the fact that at it will change and go out the window at 6 months when she's teething or when she learns to stand up in her cot or when she's sick or many other reasons. IMO its more important to be there for your child when they need you, not to leave them to cry to sleep for the sake of convenience, although sometimes it is very tempting! I have definitely left DD to cry on occasions when I just couldn't cope! But as a general rule I just followed her lead. Sorry for the ramble I hope that made sense, good luck with it all!

I was advised by the health nurse when they are young they cry for a reason, so I would pick her up cuddle her and put her back down again. Now she is 2mths old and she sometimes cries after being put down for a sleep, I leave her for 5min and in most cases she goes back to sleep herself.

GL