18 MO sleep is a nightmare after holidays.

[AmandaNov10]

Is this Jetlag, cot fright, what!? and what to do?

We've been Home from our holiday for a week now and ever since my 18 MO will not go in her cot. Before our hola she had a really fixed bedtime routine and went to bed awake and sleepy and settled herself to sleep. Since coming home we've gone straight back to the routine and despite a 5 hour time change on holiday she's having naps and going to bed at the usual time. But as soon as I stand up out of the chair and begin to put her in the cot she starts screaming!? Really screaming, arching her back, pushing away she does not want to go in that cot! I feel like I've tried everything, I've tried, DH has tried, we did a bit of controlled crying for about 3 nights, didn't work, I tried just putting her in the cot and sat in the room to try to erasure her and eventually settle her but almost 2 hours later DH put her in the pram and took her a walk to get her to sleep. This is what we've been resorting to but I know we need to actually sort this long term. I just don't get it it's like she just doesn't like her cot or something?

I'm thinking it must be something to do with holidays because she was so good before.

Any ideas anyone?

I know lots of people have experiences of kids that won't settle themselves and cry at bedtime, how did you beat this. Please!

Am waiting for replies to my own similar thread so thought I'd sympathise - I could have written your post except DD is 19 months and we don't even have a holiday to explain her new hatred of cot and bedtime, it seems to be linked to a new phobia of bees associated with her cot but otherwise a mystery.

I let her cry yesterday for about 40 minutes but didn't get anywhere and she ended up completely hysterical, so she's currently playing with Lego in the living room with no prospect of bee in sight. Complete nightmare as I'm 6 weeks pregnant and working full time

Bee is bed obviously

Look up the 18 month sleep regression. It almost broke me. Good news: it passed. What you need to do depends on your child to some extent. I did v gradual retreat. Talked a LOT about bedtime during the day and reassured (they are at an age when comprehension supersedes speech). I basically reassured him I would be there. At first he held my hand to go to sleep. The. A hand on the back. Then hand on the back for 5 mins and just sit there quietly. Then just sit quietly. Then move away and sit quietly. And I told him about each step and each step took 10 days or even more. Finally at about 22 months I got to a place where I sat next to him for a few minutes, tucked him in and walked out. But we did it without resorting to too much crying by going slowly and offering reassurance.

Oh moving a lot you must be shattered! This is my DC2, with DC1 she went through this phase but we could reassure her and settle her using gradual retreat, now she is a great sleeper. But like you DD2 is actually hysterical! I had read you post yesterday too! Last night when she was crying she ended up lying down on her tummy, I rubbed her back in circles, quite fast at first and doing shh shh noises, then did it a bit slower/ lighter then just steady hand till she fell asleep. It took me an hour and I think it was just luck but I guess tonight will tell! I remember when I was PG with DC2 and wking FT I was shattered! Try not to feel stressed when you go up for bedtime, I do remember with DC1 one night I was just in the mindset of this is going to take me hours and I'm going to sit here as long as it takes, rather than I've still to have my dinner, do the ironing blah blah and I need you to go to sleep so I can get on! Lol! But that clam attitude helped me with DC1, not as easy when they are screaming and nothing is settling them though, I know!

Weird about the bees thing, hopefully just a phase that will pass! Keep in touch, good luck! X

Oh, I'm glad you seem to be making progress with your dd, hopefully just a post holiday phase! I checked with our nursery and no bee-related incidents occurred on Friday so it all remains a mystery. Last night she fell asleep with me in our bed, not till 10pm though, transferred into the cot asleep but then woke at 2.30 and came back in with me. I tried gradual retreat style back rubbing in the cot at bedtime but she got so upset I gave up quickly (probably a mistake). We'll see what tonight brings after a long day in nursery...

Hey movingalot! Just wanted to say hope your ok and last night wasn't too bad! Back rubbing worked well for us again last night. Don't give up, it will ok eventually! ??