About to go into meltdown (me and DD)

[cantthinkofanamesoz]

I am going very quickly crazy. DD has always been so good going to sleep, nice and quick and I just walk out say goodnight and boom done. We have been away on holiday (she slept in our room) and now we are back after a few nights of fine behaviour she has decided to scream her little head off for literally hours, we cannot walk out of the room. We have dropped one side of her cot to slowly transition her into her toddler bed before DS arrives in a few months so she also gets up out of bed and screams. Do you think we should just put her into her toddler bed and leave the cot? or should we just transition during her nap time during the day and leave in cot at night- HELP!! also walking in and not saying anything is not working. Both my husband and I are at our wits end. By the way DD is 22 months old. Any thoughts would be hugely appreciated. (sorry if a bit rambled but my brain is not working) Could it be separation anxiety? she also has a night light.

yes most likely separation anxiety, DS was the same around this age and again a few months later. we tried almost everything we could think of but what worked in the end was being patient and reassuring him that we were still there, we did a gradual withdrawal as and when he seemed ready; Sat by his bed then a little way across the room for a few nights, then just outside the door, then said we were 'down the hall' - in the beginning this meant 'in' the hall which eventually progressed to in the other room which is down the hall. we have a video monitor so we could keep an eye on him.

its a prime time for nightmares I think and fear in general, I think being calm and giving lots of cuddles is the key, but also letting her know that she needs to sleep but also you'll be there if she needs you. does she have a favourite teddy? DS had never had one until this age but then suddenly started taking 6-10 of the things to bed with him, he used to sleep curled up over them all at one point (once he'd 'breastfed' them all to sleep of course' he's 2.5 now and still asks us to hold his hand for a couple of minutes before we leave, he also asks for one more kiss, one more cuddle, another drink etc etc but is happy for us to say goodnight and go and is generally asleep within a few minutes of us leaving.

I think it's just a phase where they need us more. hope it passes soon

Have you asked her?

At 22m she may be able to tell you why she is screaming... (even if the answer takes some interpreting)

Thanks so much for replying NiceCupofTeaAndASitDown and GingerJulep. I have been googling all evening so reckon could well be separation anxiety and I think I will go for the gradual moving away technique. It is so heartbreaking plus exhausting!! I will ask her tomorrow and see what I can decipher! thanks, I appreciate your comments. Its hard isn't it?!