Going to sleep at two months

Hello!

First time posting on this forum...

Our first child has just turned two months. She is starting to sleep from 9pm until 3:30am, then eating and going back to sleep until about 6am. Needless to say we are pretty happy about that because first month and a half has been really rough.

Up until now we have been holding her and rocking her to sleep at whatever time she happens to get tired, but are trying to establish a night-time routine of eating, possibly taking a bath, reading to her, rocking until drowsy but not yet asleep and then putting her into the crib. The problem is that most of the time as soon as her head touches the mattress she wakes up and starts whimpering and then outright crying.

From what we've read on the web, gleamed from advice of other parents and nurses, and read in books, the Ferber method of establishing sleep routine should not be applied at two months of age. She's just two young to be able to sooth herself. Or is she?

The fourth edition of the very popular "Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5" book (ISBN 0-553-38290-X) is giving a conflicting message in Chapter 7 "Age One Month Through Three Months".

First they say on page 188, "During these early months, don't worry about spoiling your baby with too much attention. Observe him closely and respond promptly when he needs you. You may not be able to calm him down every time, but it never hurts to show him that you care. In fact, the more promptly and consistently you comfort your baby's fussing in the first six months, the less demanding he's likely to be when he's older."

Then in the same chapter on page 192 they write, "She could be squirming, startling, fussing, or even crying--and still be asleep. Or she may be awake but on the verge of drifting off again if left alone. Don't make the mistake of trying to comfort her during these moments; you'll only awaken her further and delay her going back to sleep. Instead, if you let her fuss and even cry for a few minutes, she'll learn to get herself to sleep without relying on you. ... As much as fifteen to twenty minutes of fussing won't do your child any harm."

Needless to say, right now we are a confused, but decided to pick her up when she fusses, pick her up until drowsy, and then put her back. Repeat as necessary until she falls asleep, which can take 5-6 times: a good hour.

What would you do?