Sleep problems - 18 month old ds

[anchovies]

Ds has always been a really good sleeper. The past 3 days and nights though have been a disaster. He now starts screaming when he sees his cot and screams hysterically when he's put in it. At nap time today he screamed for over an hour in total. I don't know what I should be doing, so far I have gone in every 5 minutes and lay him back down and tried to be reassuring but he just seems to get worse when I g in, until eventually he falls asleep out of exhaustion. Any ideas as to what may have caused this and what I can do to make him happy in his bed again?

Thanks!

[anchovies]

Please I am desperate!

[marne]

my dd is 18 months, we get this from time to time, last night she ended up in our bed. We have thought about putting her in a bed in hope that she will like it more than her cot but she seems too small for a bed. Not realy sure what has caused it but i hope it passes soon, my dd has never been a good sleeper and has only slept through a handful of times but at the moment she seems to be worse than ever.

[hewlettsdaughter]

Is it poss your ds is poorly? Could he have something like an ear infection that makes him feel uncomfortable when he lies down?

[anchovies]

He seems completely fine during the days, no sign that he is poorly at any time other than bed/nap time. When I stay with him he is ok although keeps a very close eye on me to make sure I don't go anywhere. For obvious reasons I don't really want to get into this now, especially as before now he has been so easy at bedtime.

I suppose I am just worried that leaving him to cry (even for short periods) is making the problem worse if he is anxious about being left?

[anchovies]

one last bump before the dreaded bedtime comes

[CADS]

Hi Anchovies

My ds (18mnth) is been doing the same thing over the last few days too. Maybe, there is something in the air.

With him it is usually a sign of an ear infection and after having 8 infections since January, I know the signs. He usually seems fine during the day though, its just bed time and naps at are a nightmare. Unfortunately, he is also teething so I'm giving it till monday and if things don't improve we will be down the GPs AGAIN.

It could just be a phase which will hopefully pass soon. I don't like to leave ds to cry and usually sit outside his door make reassuring sounds until he starts to settle.

Good luck tonight. I will be doing the same thing as you.

[anchovies]

Thanks cads, hope you've had a better night.

Good news is he's in bed and not crying, whimpering every now and then but no hysterics. Clever little boy baby signed that he was poorly then pointed at the light switch(?!) When I asked him if he wanted the light on he said yes yes yes yes yes! So problem solved, turns out he must be scared of the dark. When he told dh he said "oh thats strange he got really, really upset the other day when the bulb blew in the bathroom" - men eh, didn't think to mention it!

[CADS]

Glad you have got to the bottom of it. He sounds like a clever little chap. Mine still hasn't learnt to communicate, can't wait till he can. Good thing is he went down really quickly but only because he didn't have a nap today. Oh well, will have to see what tomorrow brings.

[hewlettsdaughter]

aw - anchovies, glad you got to the bottom of it (well done your ds!)

CADS, hope things improve for you.