Hoping for some advice! My almost 21 month old has always been quite a good sleeper and has self settled and soothed, we have always had a routine of bed at 7pm, sit and give bottle of milk in dark room, then move to cot most of the time still awake but drowsy then leaving the room to self settle to sleep. He has a dummy and comfort muslin and is happy as long as he has those. Usually takes 10-15 mins max for him to settle to sleep. The past few weeks have been busy, first with him being unwell with chest infection and then a couple of sleepovers at relatives, later nights that have thrown routine out. But he has since started screaming and shouting mommy and daddy as soon as we leave him in the cot, won't lie down and cry hysterically until we go back in, try and lie him down again, and repeat. We have had to go back in and hold his hand through the bars until he falls asleep, then try and creep out although he sometimes wakes again and have to repeat the process. He then sometimes wakes again as the night goes on.
I know he has become out of routine slightly but it now seems nothing we have done previously is working anymore despite us trying to get him back to his old routine.
We are now unsure what to do for the best as he is becoming more and more worked up.
Is it likely just a phase? Or some separation anxiety? Is there anything we can do to help?
Thanks in advance