18 mo wailing in cot, separation anxiety, advice needed please.

[crikeybadger]

Oh yikes, my lovely DS would go down happily in his cot at around about 7pm.

Out of the blue, for the last four nights, he has been wailing rather traumatically when he has gone down. I left him for a bit whilst I listened to the Archers, but he has just not calmed down.

Previously, I've ended up letting him come downstairs and fall asleep on the sofa as I just can't bear the screaming. DH is away at the moment, and I know that this won't be a popular option on his return, as he values our time together when all 3 DSs go to bed.

I really don't know what to do. When I pick him up, he clings frantically to me (and signals to come downstairs). I seem to remember they have a 18 mo sleep regression but I just don't know whether to just ride it out and bring him down or to be firm and insist he stays in his cot.

Any advice/suggestions would be very much appreciated. I'm feeling rather desperate and on my own.

aarghh, things going from bad to worse.

currently have mini crikey laid on my chest fast asleep as I sit on the sofa.

I tried him back in his cot (felt it was safer) and he had got so worked up, he'd thrown eveything out, including his sheet.

Just can't take the raging crying anymore.

Nah, it'll all change again by the time this phase is over.

Seriously, children do change after going through developmental spurts. Sometimes kids who increase tension by crying turn into ones who release tension by crying - and sometimes switch back again after a later spurt.

And a toddler who will only (temporarily) sleep on you is better than a toddler who won't sleep at all.

Have a from me. (I'd offer a but I'd best not if co-sleeping is likely ).

You're right of course, AngelDog- it's just hard getting everything into perspective sometimes!

Thanks for the and the kind, reassuring words.

These toddlers are a weird species aren't they

Oh, perspective is much easier when it's someone else's DC.

Hope your night isn't too rubbish.