My 17 month old has a bedtime routine and has self settled to sleep since 9 months. He has always been an early riser- between 5 and 6.
Just before christmas we pushed bedtime back from 7:00 to 7:30 and after a week he slept til 6:30. However for the last week he can't settle in the evenings. Routine the same, but now he jumps up as soon as i am out of sight and starts to whine/cry. Reappear and he justs lies back down. If I stay he fidgets and moves around. It seems like he just can't drop off. He doesn't want picking up, but seems to need me there.
Last night I started with letting him cry for 5 min intervals and after 30 mins I stayed with him until he slept (stayed about 10mins).
This evening after an hour in and out without letting him cry and staying with him as needed, i let him cry 5 mins, went back in and he settled to sleep within 5 mins.
I'm not sure what to do tomorrow evening? I know I need to be more consistent but wondering if it's just a phase to ride out. Would rather not do controlled crying as i feel there is some separation anxiety. Has anyone else experienced this?
Oh, and the later sleep time has not given us morning lie in- still up before 6!