Seperation anxiety in 2.4yr old

[bananapaddlepop]

My dd has always been a really good sleeper, we always did story and then it would be lights out goodnight. And she'd quite happily go off to sleep untroubled.

Recently she has started nursery a couple of days a week and her dad (my dh) has been abroard for 3 week stretches for work. Cut to now, a screaming banshee when she goes to bed, cries out, comes down stairs, totally different child. A friend of ours think she is having some seperation anxiety but I don't know how to tackle it. I was thinking about putting a stairgate on her door and just letting her cry it out etc, but I worry if she is feeling scared this is not the way to tackle it. Does anyone have a tried and tested technique for getting her to relax and go to sleep peacefully? Last night was 2 hours of up and down until I finally relented and stood beside her bed until she went off. She is totally exhausted from all this and my DH (now back from o/s) and I are really stressed. I've seen a bit of super nanny, ie move closer to the door every night etc, does this work? We've been ever so lucky till the point with her sleep.

Many thanks

[nappyaddict]

Yes you could try gradual withdrawal. The first step is standing by her bed as you have done and then gradually moving further and further away.

[sfxmum]

I would agree with the gradual withdrawal it eventually works and less stress all around
imo I think it is normal to have these problems when big changes happen

hope it improves soon

[bananapaddlepop]

thanks nappy addict and sfxmum. I appreciate it. Shall try tonight and see how she gets on.

Do you think I should get her a nightlight too, or just the gradual withdrawal?

[nappyaddict]

disney princess nightlight

[bananapaddlepop]

thanks na, she went off in about 5 mins tonight, we all feel much happier about not having a screaming match.

[sfxmum]

that is good to hear we have this but different character

[bananapaddlepop]

They're cute sfx, and she loves thomas too

[sfxmum]

mine likes Thomas too but at the time we could only find Fifi these days I expect the preference would be some hideous glittery pink stuff
she uses the flashlight to wake me up in the morning 'say mercy mummy' I knew I should not have started that game