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Seperation anxiety in 2.4yr old

8 replies

bananapaddlepop · 30/01/2009 13:14

My dd has always been a really good sleeper, we always did story and then it would be lights out goodnight. And she'd quite happily go off to sleep untroubled.

Recently she has started nursery a couple of days a week and her dad (my dh) has been abroard for 3 week stretches for work. Cut to now, a screaming banshee when she goes to bed, cries out, comes down stairs, totally different child. A friend of ours think she is having some seperation anxiety but I don't know how to tackle it. I was thinking about putting a stairgate on her door and just letting her cry it out etc, but I worry if she is feeling scared this is not the way to tackle it. Does anyone have a tried and tested technique for getting her to relax and go to sleep peacefully? Last night was 2 hours of up and down until I finally relented and stood beside her bed until she went off. She is totally exhausted from all this and my DH (now back from o/s) and I are really stressed. I've seen a bit of super nanny, ie move closer to the door every night etc, does this work? We've been ever so lucky till the point with her sleep.

Many thanks

OP posts:
nappyaddict · 30/01/2009 15:04

Yes you could try gradual withdrawal. The first step is standing by her bed as you have done and then gradually moving further and further away.

sfxmum · 30/01/2009 15:07

I would agree with the gradual withdrawal it eventually works and less stress all around
imo I think it is normal to have these problems when big changes happen

hope it improves soon

bananapaddlepop · 30/01/2009 18:11

thanks nappy addict and sfxmum. I appreciate it. Shall try tonight and see how she gets on.

Do you think I should get her a nightlight too, or just the gradual withdrawal?

OP posts:
nappyaddict · 30/01/2009 19:45

disney princess nightlight

bananapaddlepop · 30/01/2009 20:43

thanks na, she went off in about 5 mins tonight, we all feel much happier about not having a screaming match.

OP posts:
sfxmum · 30/01/2009 20:51

that is good to hear we have this but different character

bananapaddlepop · 30/01/2009 20:53

They're cute sfx, and she loves thomas too

OP posts:
sfxmum · 30/01/2009 20:56

mine likes Thomas too but at the time we could only find Fifi these days I expect the preference would be some hideous glittery pink stuff
she uses the flashlight to wake me up in the morning 'say mercy mummy' I knew I should not have started that game

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