Separation anxiety is relentless

[TryingToStaySane92]

My LO started nursery 3 weeks ago and her separation anxiety is getting worse and worse. Before she started nursery she was absolutely fine being left but now I can't even leave the room when she's with her dad to make tea without her getting so upset.
She cries so hard at drop off she holds her breath and her sleep has totally gone backwards. She wakes 4+ times a night and cries if we put her down.

What can I do to make this time easier for her? I have to work but I feel so guilty, she's only in nursery two days a week but it's impacting every aspect of our lives.

How old is she OP?

If she's between 9-18m this is an entirely normal development stage and just ties in badly with starting nursery.

She's just turned 1

It will get easier as the days/weeks go on. Appreciate that’s not helpful when you’re in the thick of it, but as others have said, it’s a really normal development stage for children.

OP look up Mary Ainsworth “strange situation”

it’s all about this developmental stage and. Children learning you still exist even though you have left the room

This is completely normal for this age, which unfortunately does coincide with many babies starting childcare. It's taken mine a few months to really settle. We have been co-sleeping more since then, to get us all more sleep, and give her comfort. You can't do anything, just wait it out, have lots of connection time on your nonworking days.

How are you getting on @TryingToStaySane92? Has it eased a little?