SA??? and what to do about it? 19 month old

[Crispy Chick]

My DS2 is 19 months and has been a great settler at both nap and bedtime since he was very young (i think he had to learn to settle easily as i have DS1 running around).  He has often had episodes of NW, but can usually be settled by a litte re-assurance.

This week however he has started screaming when put down for a nap and when put down for night time.  He screams and screams and screams unless we go back in and cuddle him to calm him down.  He has also had an episode of this in the middle of the night (one he would not settle back drom - so a 4am wake up) and one during his nap yesterday.

I think it is SA - would this be right at this age?  today i tried walk in walk out and simply put my hand on him and told him it was nap time until he calmed, then left the room.  He would start screaming again, so i would go back in again and do the same thing, it took about 10 mins of in and out before his sobs stopped and he went to sleep.  I am dreading tonight!!!  I do remember this with DS1 about this same age, but i walways put it down to teeth and new baby - but this time that cant really be the case (no baby and he has all his teeth except last 4 molars which i guess it is a little early for).

Any ideas on the best way to help him through this?  I am quite stressed about it as DS1 just started school nursery and i only have 1 1/2 hour window for DS2 to nap in before i have to go and collect DS1 each day - so if i cant settle him, he cant get a nap - nightmare!!!

thanks in advance
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[Roseii]

hiya, so what's your routine right now? It could be SA, or a slight case of being more aware and wanting to play rather than nap, even if he needs it, kwim?

[Crispy Chick]

Hey.  I dont think it is UT.  Wanting to play - maybe, but defo not UT as he has been pushed back with his nap so i can get DS1 to nursery. 

Routine looks like this:

7.30am awake and breakfast (wakes anytime from 7am but waits happily)
1.15/1.30pm - 3pm nap - this is now really restricted to this time as i need to drop DS1 at nursery at 1.  A few weeks ago he would go down about 1.  On the odd day there is no nursery i will put him down at 1 (same reaction)
7.30 pm bed

He has been on this routine since about 12 months old - although now his nap is cut slightly short.

Interestingly DH and I had a rare night out last night.  We were running late so i had to get my dad to put DS2 to bed - i was dreading it, given his recent behaviour - but he went to bed and to sleep without a peek.  Today for both nap and bed he screamed the place down again.  It really seems like a reactipn to me and DH, but particularly me.  So again, i am assuming SA?

still not sure on how to handle it.  Am doing WI/WO but am going in and out immediately i.e. not waiting any length of time inbetween as i hate to hear the wee man screaming and sobbing.

[Crispy Chick]

anybody got any advice on this???

He is getting worse.  Hw woke last night and took ages to re-settle.  He woke early this morn and started crying - very unusual.  Nap time was horrific.  I had to cuddel him to sleep and then transfer him 20 mins later - i have never cuddled to sleep.  I just dont kn ow what is going on.

He is very clingy and runs after me when i exit a room.  He is also cutting his last incisor - but not had any of thisd with the others.  any ideas?

how do i deal with it?  WI/WO simply making him hysterical.  He does seem to need the cuddles for comfort, but i am so scared of getting used to AP.

help please

x

[Roseii]

Hi Hun if wi/wo is really not working then you could try GW, staying by his bed til he's asleep? Also you *could* try pushing bt back a bit, maybe 7.45?
I understand not wanting to ap but it if he's been an independent sleeper before he will be again xx

[Crispy Chick]

Thanks Charlibob

Do you think it is just a phase then???  seems he is getting more interested and independent in day to day stuff.  He just seems to seize up as soon as i go near his bed, then just stnads screaming and sobbing.  Tried later BT - no difference.

Do you think he will just slot back in to settling well again???

Do you think it could be the last incisor?  i have heard they can be pretty bad.  He was very grumpy yesterday and clingy.  Today he seems much calmer, but still probs at nap time.  when he does stop crying he does go to sleep so i dont think it is a timing prob.  Plus, before he would just chatter if not tired enough for sleep.

I still think SA playing a big part.  Maybe AP is the kindest thing???  but NW are getting tough, so i would quite like to crack it.

cheers
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[Roseii]

Hi Hun sorry been so busy with Chistmas. How are you getting on? I wish I could tell you it's just a phase, you just do not know! Dd2 has been thru phases of being tricky to settle then snapped out of it...
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