Dd is 2.5 and has been settling to sleep by herself for a few months. Before that she was cuddled to sleep (I know, I know). She has been happily going to sleep alone, but after a stay at nannies where she got very upset and wanted mummy, it's all gone tits up.
She starts to get a wobbly lip as I settle her down after her stories, and then as soon as I leave the room, she starts either shouting out or crying. When she gets the wobbly lip, I always do something a bit silly, and it makes her smile or giggle, but after I leave she still shouts out etc. It quickly escalates into hysterical screaming whether I respond to it or not, screaming that she wants me to stay with her.
I have tried talking to her, bribing her, leaving her for a while to see if she settles, nothing works and she gets more and more distressed. It's not a tantrum, it is a hyperventilating, screaming, choking sort of upset.
I don't know what to do. I can't go back to spending an hour in with her trying to get her to sleep every night. I was stressed out and my relationship with dp was suffering. I need this time to myself. She is difficult at the minute, really clingy and challenging with her behaviour, and this just seems to be an extension of this, but I just don't know how to go forward.
Any advice would be great fully received. Thanks.