My daughter of 19 months has decided that she can't bear to be near me at night time. She wont let me put her to bed and if she cries in the night (she is teething so this happens very frequently) she gets hysterical if I go in to her. She cries, pushes me away and calls out "daddy daddy daddy" until I pass her over to him. As far as I know I have not done anything to cause this behaviour. I have never hit or hurt her, never lost my temper or done anything that would warrant such extreme behaviour from her. Is this a phase that children go through? Have I done something or not done something to bring this behaviour on? She is loving and happy in the day time, regularly asking for cuddles, etc so its even more confusing that she is so unhappy with me at night.
The only sign of her night time preference in the day time is that likes daddy to help her with her food. Only he can give her a yoghurt. If I try she will clamp her mouth firmly shut. I have researched mother child rejection but it all seems to be about depressed mothers rejecting their babies. This is definately not the case with us. I adore being a mum and treasure the time I have with my daughter. Can anyone help/advise me? I really want to be able to cuddle my little girl when she needs night time comfort again. My husband is great but its hard on him having to be the main carer all the time at night. I am also 5 months pregnant and really want this resolved or at least to understand it so I can help her before she has to cope with a new baby in the house. Worried, unhappy and very confused. Please help if you have any experience with this.