1 year old crying every time put down for sleep

[cosymama2020]

Our 1 year old sleeps quite well when she gets to sleep. Still on 2 naps a day most of the week and sleeps through the night (although we’re currently ensuring 5am wake ups 😅).

I’m finding it really difficult that she gets so upset when I leave the room for her to sleep. It lasts around 5 mins and then takes her another 15-20 mins to get herself to sleep but those 5 mins of crying just really upset me. I’ve tried staying with her, getting her off to sleep then leaving but she wakes up and then sobs even more. I’ve tried staying with her and slowly leaving over 10 mins and she’ll cry for 5 mins again.

She’ll do the same if she falls asleep in the car or the pram as well. The health visitor said, ‘some babies just like a whinge before they go off to sleep’ but if I can stop her from being upset then I obviously want to.

Even if she’s knackered she’ll still cry or moan when I leave. Has anyone been through something similar or have any advice?

Of you're going to stay with her, the idea is yo stay until fully asleep in the deep sleep phase. It's not going to work if you try backing out of the room while she's still conscious.

You stay next to the cot (or whatever) until 5 mins after falling asleep. Then sneak out.

Do that every sleep time for a few weeks. Then after a few weeks of the above, start being a step away from the cot, but still stay until fully, deeply asleep. If upset go to her, when calm withdraw back.

Do that for a few weeks. Then move to waiting by doorway. Go back if upset, withdraw to door when calm. Stay there and wait until fully and deeply asleep before leaving.

Then outside the door. Then outside door but not in sight, and so on.

Thank you @FATEdestiny that’s really helpful.

We’re currently enduring 4.30am - 5am wake up calls at the moment now that she’s better from being poorly so I think I might start doing this once we’ve sorted the too early risings!