20 month old sleep problems - HELP!!

[frogem366]

My DD had a good night time routine and has always gone to bed at the same time every night and settled well without a fuss.

Bath, pjs on, story, milk in her chair with a cuddle from me and then placed into bed. She has a musical igglepiggle that plays a tune for around 30seconds while I leave the room and she drifts off to sleep shortly after. Some nights she would waken (in the very early hours and she would put igglepiggle on and drift back to sleep)

Recently tho (for almost 2 weeks) the night routine has stayed the same however anywhere between 10pm-12pm she wakens and refused to go back to sleep unless we take her in with us. I've tried the going in settling her and leaving the room - cry it out technique but it's awful, and it goes against everything I believe in. I can't listen to her cry and almost make her self sick. But I also need to break this habit as sleeping in our bed is not in my opinion a long term option.

She will fall asleep in our bed and when lifted back to bed doesn't seem to waken but really it would be better if this habit wasn't happening.

Has anyone got any no cry techniques or tips, or is it as the health visitors advise.....sleep training and crying it out the only solution?!?!

Thanks in advance any tips I'll try anything - I'm watching the clock for the next awakening!