Is there such a thing as 'delayed seperation anxiety'?

[greeneone12]

Hi All

I am going through a really funny stage with my toddler. She is 18 months and it's fair to say she has had an un-settled few months. We went away for 1 week and she changed childminder but she is a confident little thing and during the first week at the new minder she was happy and content.

Now for the last few days when it comes to nap time she clings to me for dear life and screams! She sobs when she realises it's time for sleep - day or night and it's really upsetting for us both.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

you dd may be experiencing night terrors as it is quite common at this age...just keep giving her lots of reassurance and comfort that mummy is here x

Hmm, night terrors usually happen when asleep, not awake. She might be going through sep anxiety, perhaps a nightlight would be good idea?

My DD also started not settling at this age and the only thing that really worked for us was slightly reducing her nap. She just wasn't tired enough to go to sleep but instead of being happy to lie on her own, she wanted us to stay with her. I thought she was seriously traumatised by something at the time because she would scream at the top of her lungs, but within a few days of reducing her nap she was back to normal.

loveis yes night terrors happen when they are asleep, but a child of 18 mths can beome distressed at the thought of going to sleep ...as they associate it with feeling scared etc

Ah, see what you mean. Yes, they def become so much more aware and have such vivid imaginations. We have to be careful what we tell DD during the day as she always remembers at bedtime!