20 month old DGD has the fear --help

[inlectorecumbit]

DGD lives 3 hours away and l have had DD again on the phone in tears. Since wakening up screaming at 4am on Monday morning DGD seems to be terrified of her cot. She has gone from napping 1 hour in the afternoon then going down from 7pm-8am without a fuss to a child that won't sleep. Put her in her cot at all and she screams.
Her DF finally got her to sleep at 9pm last night but she woke again at 4.30am screaming and wouldn't go back to sleep.
Tonight they have tried controlled crying which has resulted in DGD being sick over her bed/toys floor. Her DF picked her up and she fell asleep on him right away.
Any ideas on what has happened or what to do ???. The wee soul looks exhausted with bags under her eyes but is just fighting sleep.

Oh poor little thing, and poor parents! If she's always been a good sleeper could it be ear infection/teeth/uti?

Maybe she had a nightmare, I would think bringing her into the parents bed and lots of cuddles/sitting with her whilst she falls asleep would be the best plan, and then introducing her room again in a week or so.

Dd did this last week for three nights, waking up screaming in her cot but would fall asleep on my/DH chest. Took her to the drs as was so unlike her and we were worried she might have an ear infection. Turned out it was a perforated ear drum (probably caused by a cold). The dr said the pain us worse when lying down hence the screaming at night. Takes a week to two to clear up.

Was worse. Not us worse..

DD just phoned to say DGD has been very sick x 3 everywhere since 8pm. Perhaps it is a bug that has been working on her? needless to say she is in bed with her DM and DF just now. they are scared to leave her alone .
I so hate living so far away

Oh-thanks for all the above replys