20 month old- night wakings- separation anxiety?

[Jodieplus2]

My lo has never been a great night sleeper, but usually I can go in to see him when he wakes, give him a little stroke & calming words & he goes back to sleep. But for the past week he wakes really crying & only settles when I am in the room. As soon as I leave he starts really crying again & works himself up more & more. Last night it was for 2.5 hours until he eventually wore himself out!

He is also not settling as well when going to bed as what he used to. Before he would fall asleep straight away, but now can be crying or playing for around 30mins.

He usually wakes between 6-6.30am, has a nap at 11.30am ish for 2-2.5hours, and then to be by 6.45-7pm.

Anyone have any ideas why this is happening? Is it separation anxiety? If so, how can I overcome it?

Thanks
Jx

[Layla]

Does he seem to be more clingy during the day? If its SA, you could do wi/wo or you could try staying with him and slowly move towards the door... so doing the gradual withdrawal method.

Could he be teething at all?

Also, I am wondering if he's sleep requirements have changed and he doesn't really need as much sleep as he used to. If you see that he's taking a long time to fall asleep, try either cutting the nap to say 1.75hrs or put him to bed about 15mins later... to see if he will settle faster.

If he's just playing in the cot before bedtime then I would let him be (if its not bothering you)

hth
Layla

[Jodieplus2]

I don't really think he is any more clingy during the day, just when in bed. He has just gone down for his nap but we endured about 15mins of him crying with me going in every few minutes to settle him, he really hates me leaving the room. I will maybe try gradual withdrawal then. It's just so strange because he has never been like this before.
I thought maybe it was teething, but he shows absolutely no signs during the day (usually more grumpy & very dribbly), so not sure about that. Hopefully it will just be a phase that passes before it gets too bad- do you think?

Ok yes, if it continues I will try a shorted nap or later bed time because he really doesn't seem tired when going to bed anymore. He used to be very tired when drinking his milk & went straight to bed, but now just still seems quite playful! Thanks for that suggestion!

Thanks Layla, I'll let you know how we get on.
Jxx

[Jodieplus2]

well he is still waking, but seems to settle a bit easier now, but our trouble is that he is still waking- very strangely it is every other night. So last night he woke at roughly 11pm, 2am, 5am crying and won't settle himself until I have gone in to settle him.

But the night before he slept right through, the previous night was wakings again, night before that slept through.

Can anyone offer any suggestions for this weird pattern?

Thanks
Jx

[Diegos Mama]

It sounds to me too, like a lot of sleep.  How about making bedtime later? Teething was often a culprit for us... or looming illness.