Toddler suddenly terrified going to bed

[krisskross]

My son will be three is sept. He has always gone to bed happily, awake and settled himself.

In the last week or so he has suddenly become more and more anxious about going to bed, and the last 3 nights he has been pretty nuch hysterical when we put him down.

The door is open and hall light is on at his request (they never used to be) but hes still really upset. We go back in to him every few mins to try and settle him, and eventually he goes to sleep screaming, after 45 min or more.

I cant think of what has made this happen, or how i should handle it, except to reassure him and do our best to remain patient (I am worn out with it!).

Any advice please???

He may have had a nightmare which is making him anxious. Does he have a night light? Maybe a new bedtime teddy will help.

were off to get a night light tmw. tried talking to him about nightmares but he isnt really talking about it.

At a similar age, my daughter would refuse to go in the front room by herself - she would stop at the door and say "Tiger!" I think their imagination kicks in or something and they just need loads of reassurance and cuddles...

aw bless - he may not remember exactly why he's anxious if it was a nightmare
Maybe a dream catcher would help - you could catch all the bad dreams with it before he goes to sleep.