DS is usually a really good sleep but he's just turned 17 months and suddenly can't get himself to sleep at night (lunch nap OK but not as easy as it used to be). He lies in his cot happily babbling and playing with his toys for 30 - 60 mins, then all hell breaks loose when the frustration of not being able to sleep kicks in. My gut feeling is that he's mentally over-stimulated because he's learning to walk and absorbing tonnes of new words.
It's not pain that's the problem: Teething isn't enough to cause this behaviour because he's been OK with molars coming through in the past. I've taken him to GP and they've said he's fine.
We have a routine (bath, books, bed by 7pm) and we use a lullaby light but it only lasts for 10 mins.
Hubbie and I don't know what to do. I've tried leaving DS to cry but even after 40 mins he's still screaming so I break every rule and go in to give him a big cuddle and read a book or two. He calms as soon as he sees me but kicks off again when put back down. I've also be playing his fave cd on the iPod - keeps him happy until it ends after 30 mins.I know the pick up and cuddling thing is probably the worst I can do but it used to work so well whenever he'd occasionally wake up in the night before this started.
Anyone got any suggestions on how to get through this? I don't really understand the controlled crying approach of 5 mins, then 10 mins etc. That just seems like a tease. And it prolongs the agony. Plus, we're talking about a little boy that's quite happy to lie in his cot awake for up to an hour so I don't think this is driven by insecurity.
Desperate for advice so please don't be shy! Thanks all.