I agree that if both you and your baby are happy then stick with what you're doing. Don't worry about other people - do what feel's right for you!

hi there! remember they are only little once i think what you are doing is really good my daughter would only go to sleep in her fathers arms and he had to go away for work when she was about 8mths and i ahd to start but lucky for us she started getting really cranky and wanted to be placed in her cot and she is now 21mths and she has started to say bed when she is tired. it doesn't sound like she is getting upset with what you are doing so keep going with what you feel is right

Oh, don't feel guilty for not using controlled crying if you dont have to! Make the most of a baby that settles easily! You're really just teaching her to relax - sounds like she's getting the hang of it and it will be a useful skill. I held my daughter's hand to get her to relax - much more labour intensive! I think I've recommended the No Cry Sleep Solution to you before, and I'm sure what you're doing would be fine. I dont think you'll have any trouble weaning her off a tummy pat later on!

Hi
With Megan we thought we made the mistake of putting her to sleep with us.
It took til she was nearly 3 to get her out of our bed.
We weren't going to make the same mistake with Rowan...Megan was 16 months at the time of his birth.
He was put in his cot from the word go.
He never slept in our room, it was heaven.  Actually Rowan would sleep anywhere....still the same.
13 years later we had Jalan..this one is a whole new kettle of fish.
She will not go down in her own bed.
We have tried controlled crying....only one that tries to be controlled is us as she screams her lungs and heart out.
No matter how often we try it and for how long all we end up with is a very stressed out sick baby from so much crying
Decided it is too cruel for her.
Usually when she is ready for bed at night she climbs up and lies on my chest for a while and either goes to sleep there or lies between my legs and puts her head on my stomach.
Or lies on the bed with Dad if he is on the bed sleeping or reading.
Every now and then one of the teenagers take her to her room and read her a story and stay with her singing til she sleeps.
Funnily enough i enjoy the nights she cuddles up to me..they are special that is our time alone.
All kids are different
Do what suits you
Eventually she may go to her own bed herself at night but we are not forcing the issue no more
It hasn't harmed any of the kids either way.
The teenagers know they are welcome in our room at any time and now if they want to be with mum cause of a bad dream or something or if they are sick they just drag their mattresses in and sleep on the floor. 
Usually by morning they are gone back to their own room. 
I think darren and I snore

Luv Deb

We would nurse our oldest child to sleep in our arms and did this for the first year. We realised that we couldn't keep doing that, especially with a new baby on the way, so did contolled crying. I thought that it was cruel at first. She would scream and cry so we went in and calmed her down then leave the room and after a few days she sorted it out and would go to sleep on her own. Our next two daughters we would put in their cot awake from day one. They would go to sleep by themselves and we found it worked for us. But my 6 month old now, if I put her to bed and she cries, then I fee that something must be wrong and she may not be ready for sleep just yet. So I will go to the cot and do the same as you, pat her tummy and rub her head, or I may even get her up for one last cuddle and she then goes off to sleep. But it sounds like you've got it sorted and if she goes to sleep now after a few times, things will only get better as she gets older.

Mine went to sleep in her arms right from the start until she was about 2.  She was in her own bed by that time.  At first I held her close while standing, or had her on my chest while i was laying down. When she got bigger I just sat next to her with her on her side and I would have my hand on her side rocking and stroking her face.  She got to the stage where she didn't need that anymore, but it's nice having that bit of time with her at the end of each day and I simply ignored all the people who told me to let her 'cry it out' because she was my child and I wanted to be close to her at that time.  She listens to Norah Jones while she's going to sleep too.  My daughter always went to sleep close by me and never had any problems sleeping, now she goes to bed and falls asleep on her own and that was her choice.  Do what you think your baby needs you to do and no it won't mess her up in the long run.

Everyyone has they own set rountine and how they do things with they baby and if u r happy doin that than stay with it as u can always change it when u r ready as babies sleeping habits always change so will u when she does -lifes too short do what is best for you and your baby and how u do things may be different too other parents vice versa but u know what your baby needs rRemeber u r doin a great job!!!!