DD1 afraid of sleep...worried, anxious

[*happy*]

how do i help her?
it's breaking my heart to see her so upset.

DD has started saying that she's not tired, doesn't want to go to sleep etc.....she gets so upset and there seems to be a genuine fear there.

it started last saturday when she said that a fly would come into the cot while she was asleep...she said that happened in the childminder's house...she had gone to sleep no problem at home on friday and at the childminder's on thursday, so i'm not sure if something happened and she just didnt say anything or if she had a bad dream??? she definitely doesn't like flies/bees/wasps etc but we never ever ever had an issue with her going to sleep before now.

she works herself up into an awful state.
the thing is though, once i leave the room, she sucks her fingers, holds her lovey and falls asleep. we have a video monitor, so i can see her lying quite still literally the second i leave the room. she never calls us back (never has) adn sleeps soundly through the night.

i'm at a complete loss.

there has been some change in her life recenetly with DD2 starting in the childminder's last week, and that has definitely thrown her. she cries in the morning going in there now-something that hasnt happened since she was a tiny baby.

i just dont know how to help her. she is so worried about it....so anxious.

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Hey Happy sorry you got missed! I see she is at a half birthday and wonder if a growth spurt/developmental leap is at play? Does she have a nightlight? Has it gotten any better since your post?

[creations]

Also sorry your thread was missed!
Have you ever used Sleep Talk?  I haven't even read the book myself but do find myself suggesting the method for anxiety based difficulties.  You may be able to get help with a suitable script
Anyone want to talk about Sleep Talk?
although it looks like the thread has gone quiet with some unanswered posts, posting there may bump it.  I'm thinking something along the lines of feeling secure and comfortable in bed. Then maybe a second script to help with the anxiety linked to DD2 starting at the CM.

[weaver]

Happy, you say there have been some big changes recently, and I think Heidi has a good point about developmental issues perhaps.  So to some extent, it's something to wait out.  In the meantime, can you make any material changes with her cot/bed set up? Add a special snuggly blanket - maybe something of yours so she feels extra warm and looked after.  Or add something to her bedtime ritual like putting a teddy in charge of minding her/saying he's there all night to snuggle her?  I would need to think about the wording of that very carefully with my LO1 as he would latch onto something.  Or, even, get her to put her bear or doll to bed first, tuck them in etc?

I think it's a great sign she's nodding off on her own, maybe she just needs to cry with you, as you're her safe place to express whatever it is in her head (probably all the change).

Hope it's all gone by now though

[*happy*]

bless you all for the help ladies....thank goodness DD is going to bed without the tears for the past 2 nights...

i will be back when my head is straight.....

i went back to work today and i am in a big black hole right now

thank you all again....i appreciate it so much....love to you.xxx

[*happy*]

just checking in reall quickly again to say that i havent forgotten about your wonderful words and i will post properly when i have 2 minutes to myself....am so terribly overloaded at the moment with schoolwork i dont know where to start, but DD continues to improve with bedtimes and seems to have passed through the fear....still anxious though.....love again to you all.xxx

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

So glad she is improving happy - (((hugs))) for you, hope the work load settles down soon.