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16 mth old sleep problems. Separation anxiety or night terrors???

6 replies

Twirl · 27/08/2005 21:56

Hello
I'm really hoping someone can help me....
My 16 month old daughter (previously an excellent sleeper) has suddenly become extremely clingy during the day, wanting to be carried all the time (normally by me, but sometimes by DH), and the past few nights have been terrible. As soon as we put her in her sleeping bag she starts crying hysterically and freaks out when we turn the light off, crying for mummy and daddy. Last night we got her to sleep only for her to reawaken at 1am and we were then up with her until 5am when she finally dropped off. She seems so distressed, and cries herself into a rage. When we go in she won't let go of us and is babbling about mummy and daddy in a very distressed way, tears streaming down her little cheeks, very hot and sweaty. We have previously used a form of CC but will only ever leave her for 10 minutes at a time, then we would go in, say nothing and cuddle her until she calmed down and then we would go back in etc etc. We have a good bedtime routine, bath, stories, milk, cuddles and songs. None of this is working anymore and we end up bringing her back downstairs or into our bed in an attempt to calm her down. Nothing has changed in her routine so why is this happening and what can we do to help her? Can anyone help?

OP posts:
foxyloxey · 30/08/2005 19:42

Hi,
We have a 20 month old boy and he's slept through from 10 weeks, in the last week however he has done almost the same as your daughter. When we put him down in his cot he cries bad and will only go off if someone stands in the room with him. In the last couple of nights he's started crying if he wakes in the night too.
We have had the same sort of routine (Gina Ford) from birth and its worked fine until now and we are stuck what to do.
So can anyone HELP us too.
Thanks

Twirl · 31/08/2005 09:56

Hi Foxeyloxey
I'm so glad I'm not alone in this...this stage appeared from nowhere for us too. The past couple of nights have been hit and miss. A couple of nights she has gone down fine without a wimper, even waving to us as we leave the room! But, again a few nights have been harder and we have reverted to CC again, the first night it took 23 minutes for her to fall asleep and the second night only 8 minutes so I'm hoping this stage is just a blip. How did last night go for you?

OP posts:
foxyloxey · 31/08/2005 15:54

Hi Twirl,
Last night was not bad, went down ok just looked back as I left the room and slept through. Today went down for his nap at dinner and selpt for two hours. Hopefully it is just a blip!.
We have been spoiled from 10 weeks old.
Good Luck

sasa15 · 02/09/2005 10:18

Hi there....
could you quickly explain me control crying...for how long you let him cry...???
first 5 min, then 10min ...I can't remember...
I haven't got anywhere to read,....

exactly the same happen to our son!!!!
how

Kelly1978 · 02/09/2005 10:22

jsut to answer your intial question it is seperation and not night terrors. My dd had night terrors and it is comp different. She used to wake int eh middle of the night out of the blue starign blankly and screaming. She would go back to sleep after comfort and rememeber nothign the next day.
Good luck tryign to resolve it, but I reckon it is a phase and should pass again as logn as you don't make too much fuss about it. I think you need to reassure her you are there, but leave again straight away. Leavign her to scream might be makign it worse if it is genuine anxiety.

sasa15 · 02/09/2005 10:26

does it Control crying work for a 13 months old...or PU/PD....?

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