Hi Daniel!

(Very accurate typing there)

I've been there too, with the sleeping problems. I'm afraid the remedy IS to leave them to cry, much as it hurts (but taking some action to reduce the scratching in this case, as advised above).

Once they're settled in bed, after the regular, calming routine, say goodnight and leave.

If they cry, go back after 5 mins, settle them, say goodnight and leave. Then after 15 mins, if the crying continues, go back, settle again, and leave. Keep going back at increasing intervals. Eventually they'll go to sleep...

Do this again the next night, and if you can be firm in your resolve, it will work- crying time gets shorter each night, until after a few nights, no more crying! Going back at increasing intervals reassures them that they've not been abandoned, but they realise it's not worth crying. Eventually they'll learn to get themselves to sleep, which everyone has to learn at some stage.

I followed this method from a book when my daughter was about 18 months old. Very difficult, but VERY worthwhile to try. The book had spaces for writing in the time intervals and the crying time, so you could see the improvement over successive nights. Took my daughter 3 nights, I think.

I'd send you the book, if I hadn't already given it away to another needy parent!

Good luck, and PM me if I can help further.

Noreen