Path to higher limits: Can multitabling be detrimental?

[Isura]

The title sums up my question. Let me start by saying that I've only been studying/playing poker (holdem, online) for about 2 months. I used to play home games with friends before that, but never had opened a poker book until recently. I've been intensely studying TOP and ITH, and attempting to apply the concepts in 1/2 games online.

From reading the books, I found that my pre-flop play was really loose, but I still did ok since I think I have a good feel for reading players/situations and figuring out odds after the flop. I have read on these forums that many players prefer playing multiple tables, but whenever I try this I loose all my player reads and seem rushed in showdowns and other tough situations post-flop. My main question is whether multitabling can be detrimental too early in one's poker development?

I understand that it is possible to make money multitabling up to 3/6 (or higher?) playing straight-forward poker. However, are the people that are doing this really improving their game as they play, or are they already solid player? I understand that most of the older players here perfectely their game (hand reading, etc) in BM cardrooms against some tough competition, but I'm part of the newer breed of players that has only had exposure to the online game. What advice would these players give me if my goal is to move to the high limit games (online and B&M) one day.

So, I guess this is an optimization question I am asking. Would it be worth it to give up some earnings/hour now playing a single table, assuming that this will allow me to improve at a faster rate? I appreciate any comments and/or criticism of my analysis of the situation.