11 month old with sudden separation anxiety at nap time?

[carlicost]

My 11 month old DS has been a wonderful napper since 5 months.  I put him down and walk out with no problems.  Ever since last Saturday he has made a huge fuss at nap time like he is scared to be alone.  He clings to me and cries much differently than he ever has.

He is fine during the day.  The odd time when he wakes up he is a little clingy but hasn't showed any signs of sep. anx. before.  I can leave him during the day with no problems.  I'm not sure if something triggered his behaviour as we were at my family's on Thanksgiving weekend or not.  Night sleep is fine as he goes down without any issue and sleeps through the night.

For the last two days he has woken from his nap after 45 minutes, something he hasn't done in over 5 months.  I'm not sure how to deal with it because he is up for 4 plus hours before he basically passes out from exhaustion.  I don't know if I should go in to his room or not.  He just clings to me when I go but doesn't really want to cuddle or anything either.  He is just upset and doesn't know what to do.  The only time he is happy is if we get up and play downstairs.  I try for 15 minutes and take him back but the same thing happens. 

Just wondering what is the best way to deal with it so I don't make it worse.  Of course everything else is getting screwed up because of it because I don't know when he should be going to bed anymore.  Any suggestions would be welcomed. 

[*Becky*]

Hi,
My DS is 11.5 months and has been like this too. I have been staying in the room with him as if I leave he will scream the place down! To begin with I put my hand on his back until he fell asleep but now I just stay in the room and lie him down if he sits up. Hopefully soon I will be able to leave the room! He needs his naps and so it seems to be the only thing to do at the moment. I think if they are going through SA they need to know you are there. You could try wiwo - it does not work for us at the moment, he just gets too upset but it does for some.
HTH
bx

[carlicost]

Yesterday didn't go well.  I didn't get him down to nap until 2 hours past his usual nap time and then he didn't have an afternoon nap.  We did have company though so he didn't want to miss anything I'm sure.  He ended up being awake for 6 hours before he finally went to bed.  He crashed pretty hard but he did cry for a minute or two before going and he clung to me like glue.

Really worried about today because he needs to get some sleep but I know he won't quit crying if I leave him.  I don't know what to do but I guess I'll try to figure something out.  I will try staying with him but I think he'll just stand there reaching for me

[*Becky*]

my son does that too. I just lie him down and say our sleep phrase. It can go on for a while sometimes but in the end he is tired and sleeps.
I find if Henry is OT it makes things worse.
bx

[carlicost]

Thanks.  I actually got him to sleep this morning without too much hassle.  I extended his A time another half hour and then we went and had a bit of milk in his sippy cup in his room and I laid him down and left.  He kind of was back to his usual self!  I won't hold my breath but it's a start.

I can deal with him when were at home.  Obviously I just have to go in stay with him a bit if required but I'm worried when we're away.  We have to go away for the weekend and he used to be so good about sleeping in his playpen before but now I'm not so sure.  It is tougher then, because I'm afraid that he is a little scared too.  At least when we're at home I know that it isn't that so much, as he is comfortable in his bed.

I'll cross my fingers for the weekend.  Thanks henry1 for the advice!