Suddenly won't go to sleep independently anymore

[mariawargo]

Hello...

Im writing because Im getting desperate to get my independent sleeper back and need any advice you can give.

My son is a little over 14 months (but was a preemie so 12.5 months adjusted age although he acts just like a 14 month old). We put him on EASY when he was 5 month, stuggled with it for a couple months, but I'd say he got it down by the time he was 7 months. We recently transitioned to 1 afternoon nap which seems to be going well. I have read all the boards about when to switch and he had all the signs of readiness and we had been gradually transitioning for the last few months. A typical day now looks like this:

630/7 wake.
1230 nap
315 wake
8 bedtime

He's been sleeping well and waking happy and very pleasant during the day. But he HAD been going to sleep independently for the last few months until recently. All of a sudden he needs me or my husband in the room to fall asleep and it seems its taking longer and longer every day. At first it was just at bedtime but now its at naptime too. I do think he's teething, but even when we give him tylenol before betime he still gets very upset and needs help falling asleep.

Is this separation anxiety? i thought he was over separation anxiety and there arent signs of it popping back up during the day..Id say this started almost 2 weeks ago and is progressively getting worse.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! New baby is on the way and I need my independent sleeper back before then!!!

[jessmum46]

We've had similar periods here and usually they have been a reaction to change (starting nursery was one example for us  - separation anxiety type behaviour) or bad teething/illness.  The only other thing would be routine-related and whether some OT has crept in - have you tried an earlier BT to see if it helps?  My DD always needs more sleep when teething for example.

If the routine seems good (it looks it on paper) then I would make sure he is adequately medicated for pain if you feel that is an issue at the moment - I've always found ibuprofen (Motrin) to be more effective for teeth but you have to use what you are comfortable with.  And then try to limit the amount of AP you use.  Obviously if he is completely beside himself and unable to settle because he is uncomfortable that's one thing, but if perhaps it could be more that he is sensing a change in the house with the new baby coming you really don't want to start habits you have to undo again later.  If he's normally an independent sleeper have you tried WIWO instead of staying with him?  I use this with my DD - go in when she cries, lie her down if necessary, tuck in and leave again.  Repeat until she goes to sleep. 

Hope that's helpful

[mariawargo]

OK, I'll try to use IB profen instead of Tylenol and Ill also try WIWO. I haven't tried that because I didn't really understood what it was until you just explained it!

Thanks SO MUCH for the tips. Im relieved a bit just having a plan. I'll you know how it goes!

[jessmum46]

Good luck