Daddy no longer allowed to put daughter to bed!

[mcaddy]

Our daughter has been a good sleeper for as long as I can remember, once put down at about 19:00 / 19:30 ish, she generally sleeps through till 05:00 / 06:00 ish.

I know on a Sleep forum, I should probably stop there however, until a couple of weeks ago she'd be happy for me to put her down, in fact I used to do the majority as Mum was generally whacked from the daily routine and I was happy for some one to one time with my daughter.

Anyhow, for the last couple of weeks whenever we get close to the bedroom (specifically at bed time), she starts screaming blue murder. She is happy with me at all other times of the day, either at play or when putting her down for naps, but specifically at bed time, she will scream till she chokes when I'm the one putting her down. It makes me a little sad I can't do my bit, with me working in the days and now not able to put our daughter to bed It's really getting the other half down as she needs a break and it's becoming a big problem.

Last week Mum was away for bed time and we had a very trying evening, she wouldn't settle and properly cried with me for nearly three hours, she was colicky when she was first born but we shared the relentless spells of crying, however three hours on your own is tough. She is out two further nights next week and any ideas would be appreciated.

We a nice day out today, she was with me most of the day, put her down for the first nap this morning fine and slept with me in the sling when out and about this afternoon, was just me and her for the two hours before bed, we fed and changed all fine but as soon as we got close to her cot she was crying, mum took over and after a bit of thrashing about she went down in the end.

HV has suggested early onset separation anxiety (amongst other things) but none seem to make sense in the context of only causing a riot at bedtime.

Help!

[Backforthis]

Children are so odd at times. In a couple of weeks she. Could be screaming for you instead.

What happens if she falls aleep on your bed with you next to her and you put her into her cot then?

[sanquhar]

Babies are strange little souls.

Both of mine went through preferring mum or dad the best. Not sure if there is much you can do apart from keeping doing what you're doing.

[mcaddy]

@Backforthis, the cot is in our room alongside the bed, she has no distinction between the two, I think we might just try settling downstairs.

[Backforthis]

Damn. Good luck. Hopefully this is something she'll grow out of quickly.

[FadedRed]

OP You don't say how old you Dd is (or I've missed it) but I'd be reluctant to 'settle her downstairs' if you mean let her go to sleep downstairs then take her up to her cot, as you may replace one problem with another.
Have you tried both parents doing the bedtime routine together for a few nights then your wife gradually 'withdrawing' over the few nights to see if Dd will again used to settling with you around?

[FadedRed]

That should have read then your wife gradually 'withdrawing' over the NEXT few nights

[mcaddy]

@Faded red daughter is 5 months.

Wouldn't settle downstairs every night just when I'm home alone with her. Have tried a double act but she really doesn't want me anywhere near at bedtime