10 month old suddenly hates going in cot

[fishcalledwonder]

10 mo been an angel going to bed for months. She curls on her side with her thumb in as soon as she goes in. However, this week she has cried every time she has been put down for a nap, and also at bedtime. Today she even started to cry as soon as i carried her into her room. She has been waking up crying at around midnight too and taking ages to settle.

Is this separation anxiety? It's such a dramatic change in behaviour. I don't have the stomach for crying it out, so have been sitting next to her cot until she gives in and puts her thumb in. Also started putting her favourite cuddly cat in with her as a bit of extra comfort.

Not sure if I am hoping for advice or just want to hear that this is perfectly normal and will pass soon!

[fishcalledwonder]

Anyone?

[hairytale]

Bumping as I'm interested in any answers. DD 8 months has had sone nights like this lately - not every night - just a couple - and I have no idea why.

[Donkeysdontridebicycles]

I'm sure someone will come up with some good ideas, it's been a long time since my DCs were this age, but just wanted to say it's very common around this age, separation anxiety can start any time from 6 months upwards.

Keep to your normal bedtime routine, eg bath, cuddles, put her in her cot and keep things calm and unflustered. Putting her favourite cuddly toy animal or blanket in with her is a good idea to reassure her. If she starts getting upset soothe her without making a big fuss. Trying to sneak out when she is preoccupied can backfire as she'll only be more anxious. Sometimes I'd find some little chore to do like folding washing or pairing up socks close by so my DCs would know I was around.

[ash979]

My daughter was like this a few weeks ago, she's 10 months too. Only lasted a few weeks and back to normal now. We tended to co sleep so we could get some sleep cos I've just recently gone back fo work. Think it must be phase! Just ride it out!!!!

[goodiegoodieyumyum]

My ds was like this at 9 months I was told it was seperation anxiety by the doctor. We were on holiday when it started which made it worse as he wasn't in his own cot, it took a couple of weeks to get him to go to sleep in his cot again, had to lie him on our bed and lie down with him til he fell asleep. He is still waking in the middle of the night for no reason and nearly always cries himself to sleep which he did not before.

Can't offer much advice only that it does get better

[cloudhands]

sleep is a difficult time for babies and children, because just before sleep is often when a child's fears of seperation come up, this article helped me when I was trying to get my daughter to sleep through the night,

Helping Young Children Sleep