Our 18 month old DS has been a great sleeper over the past few months and is, thankfully, still a good sleeper through the night. But bedtimes are becoming a very stressful experience for all of us. For the past two weeks, as soon as I put him in the cot, he screams and screams (accompanied by jumping up and down and throwing all toys on the floor) and gets very distressed, until one of us gives in and holds him until he's in a deep sleep. This means we're getting no evening (it can take 1-2 hours).
I don't think we're putting him to bed too early as he's always visibly tired, and we're sticking to the same calming bedtime routine (bath - bottle and cuddle - down in cot when drowsy), but he is now screaming the second he feels your arms lower him into the cot.
I can't stand to see him this upset, but we can't go on like this. We need some time in the evening to relax (we have to go to bed very early as DH is up at 5.30 for work). I've tried leaving the room for a few minutes and then going back in to 'calm him down', but it simply doesn't work unless I pick him up. And then the second I put him down again, he shouts no and starts screaming.
Has anyone heard of an 18month regression/ developmental leap that could explain this? In other words, could it turn out to be just a phase? Any advice much appreciated!