how long is too long?

try putting her in her bed and sitting in a chair with her until she falls asleep. I use to hold my grandsons hand through the crib and fall asleep myself on the floor. when i woke up he was fast asleep. you have to do what you feel is best for your child. if she were approaching three and still did this i wouldn't put up with it, but she is 7 months. do what you feel is right in your heart, not other peoples

A 7 month old cannot be spoiled. They do not manipulate. They have needs. They communicate those needs through crying. Hopefully, a parent or caregiver responds to those needs.

If you and the baby's mother, the people who spend the most time with her and care the most about her, feel that you want to lovingly respond to her very natural desire to have you with her, then don't listen to what anyone else has to say on the matter.

So, she likes having someone around when she falls asleep... No big deal. You & your wife like to be by each other at bedtime, right? And, it's not just for procreation reasons, I'm sure (I hope), it's because you enjoy being with someone you love. I'll never understand why it's spoiled for a baby to want that, but not spoiled for an adult to want the very same thing.

And, if you or your wife was feeling lonely sad or scared & crying, wouldn't you feel just awful knowing that someone who you love was sitting there in the next room, choosing not to come to you & comfort you?

You cannot spoil a child by letting them know that they are safe & loved. A child needs to start from a place of security before they can truly learn & grow.

This is a hard one...I have a 10 month old who likes 'company' as well. We bought her an Ocean Wonders Aquarium that you put on the side of the bed. She watches little fishes swim and she falls asleep.

Have youtried to put some classical music on, or baby tunes? I would let her cry for 15 minutes. Don't give in during this time. Go in the bedroom, talk to her, don't pick her up, or she'll expect it all the time when you go in. Once youcalm her down try walking out again. If she starts to cry once again, let her cry for another 15 minutes. Try this for a while. 15 minutes in the room, 15 out letting her cry.Eventually she should get the pic, get worn out, and fall asleep. You as a parent can't give in though, or it doesn't help.

They also sell prjector screens at a Walmart or Target that puts animation on the ceiling or walls, maybe this will help? Good luck to you both, being a parent is tough work!!

The rule of thumb is let her cry for 15 minutes go in and talk to her but only if she is crying but do not pick her up. Say night night and leave again. Let her know you love her but do no pick her up. Keep repeating the steps until she understands that it's night night time; she will get the hang of it. The first night it may take awhile but it will get better each night until nothing at all. Good luck,I know its hard...

There is a pediatrician that was on tv when my kids were little. His name is T. Barry Brazelton and he said that you cannot spoil a child under the age of 12 months. Try going to website:

http://www.talaris.org/research_aug2006.htm it explains all about it. Also, Brazelton wrote a few books, a great one is "Touchpoints."

OOPS, YOU couldn't take it.... that's your clue.

she knows that she can carry on and eventually you will give in...

then you spent 3 hours listening to her cry for nothing.

now you have to start all over again.

best to nip this problem now than to wait for her to get older and have her WANTS be more than you "can take"

ditto what mommy of 3 said, also, it is impossible to spoil a child under the age of 12mos.