Ds used to be super easy to put to bed - milk, teeth, story, night night job done! Mad of about a month the first bit is all fine and you put him in the cot, say night night to all the toys, and the second you get our the door he's up screaming blue murder. It's definitely some kind of serration anxiety as the minute you go back in he stops and will generally lie straight back down but as soon as you leave he's up screaming again. Generally he will stop and pass out 10-20 mins later and sleeps through but I'm at such a loss of what to do - I hate hate leaving him crying but it seems to be the most effective way of getting him to sleep, and I'm worried if I start staying in his room until he's asleep I'll be committing to doing that every night for the foreseeable future.
Is this normal around this age? We have a good bedtime routine and he's napping well during the day (but not too well, we've tried shortening / lengthening naps) and he's so happy up until that second you leave.
Does anyone have any tips to try? Some things o read say go back in at intervals to reassure (that seems to make him more angry) other things say DONT as that will make them realise if they continue screaming you'll eventually go in.
It's the same for naps too in day (apart from at nursery where he's in the room full of babies obviously and I think they may sit next to him)
Any other suggestions to try?