1 Year Old Having New Bedtime Issues-possible Separation Anxiety??

they cry it out method typically shows these results at one point or anther.
only you have the instincts for your child. if you feel that he needs your comfort and support at night time, there is nothing wrong or manipulative about that. its a lie that babies sit and plot things.

1 mom found this helpful

Our daughter is going through the same thing. We have let her cry for about 10-15 minutes and then we will go in and calm her down, trying not to remove her from the crib and then leave the room again. We do have a night lite and radio playing and will turn on her winnie the pooh projector. It doesn't happen often that she cries for more than 5 minutes.

Hopefully it was just a one night thing, like you said... he didn't nap well yesterday. Altho I do know sometimes bringing them to bed is SOO much easier when we are so tired. I have been guilty a time or two, but then I take her back to bed asap, she kicks and squirms so much it drives me nuts!
I think you should just to go into his room, and rub is back or something soothing. That way he knows your always there if you need him, instead of making him cry and scream. Remember when you were a kid and scared at night?? He probably really is scared about something.

Perhaps your baby is starting to cut teeth? My son was a great sleeper and then abruptly exhibited the behavior you describe of your son at about 1 year. He was consoled by being close to me, and I was concerned that bringing him into our bed or rocking him to sleep would make getting him to sleep on his own worse. I was too tired to let him cry it out and brought him to bed with us.

It was a rough month not knowing what was causing the change in behavior, but once his teeth cut the surface (4 molars and 2 canines at once) he started sleeping through the night in his crib on his own! What's hard about teething is that it's painful for a baby long before we see signs of teeth near the surface.

Good Luck...this too shall pass!!

How is he eating and napping today? Maybe it was a one time thing. I would take him to the doctor today if he still seems a little off. My kids would do this with an ear infection. Just a thought.

L.

i know this may sound contradictory, but maybe you can 'cry it out' for a while, then go in and pick him up and hold for a minute or two, then set him down again. we had this with our daughter for a few nights not long ago (she's 13 months old) and it seemed to go away. being overtired doesn't help either, even though it's not your fault that he's not napping! and he's probably growing a little bit too, which can make him irritable.
good luck!
S. in WI

Just a quick suggestion - Try leaving an item of your clothing in bed with him every night. My son went through this at about the same time as yours. I started leaving my shirt from that day in the crib with him and he slept through the night for the first time(s) ever.

Actually, separation anxiety usually happens to babies sooner than one year. I know the 'cry it out' method may have worked for you in the past. Personally, I am not a fan of that practice, but I know it works in the short run for some people. The risk that comes with that practice is of course, regression. Babies have feelings and the ability to cry in order to communicate, and ultimately, to get what they need currently or what they needed before but were denied. I think you do not have to worry about making your current cosleeping arrangement a 'bad habit' because in a couple months he will have gotten the security he missed out on earlier and then he'll want his own space in which to sleep. Basically you are just gently retraining him to sleep at night. Cosleeping is not a bad habit, rather it is a very good way to foster sleeping security for a little one and most of all, it makes for a lovely transition from crib to 'big boy bed'. Good luck!

Hi A.,

When my son was 8-1/2 months old he began exhibiting signs of separation anxiety. When I put him in his crib after our usual bedtime routine, I'd rub his back and soothe him, then leave the room. I'd let him cry for 5 minutes and then go back in and rub his back, etc. and do it all over again. Those first few nights felt like it was taking him forever to settle down, but eventually he did. He just liked to be around us, etc. and perhaps felt like he was missing something fun. I would also play soothing lullabyes in his room and that really helped. He's 7 years old now and still has a hard time settling down for bed, I know now that he's definitely thinking he's missing something more exciting downstairs. I still play classical music on his radio and still rub his back once in a while (just because he's growing up so fast and he'll still let me do it. :) ) and he's out like a light in no time. You'll find that they're fine for a few months, then they need a little extra nurturing then you go back to what settles them.

My advice to you is be patient (this too will pass) and soothing to him and most importantly be consistent. He needs to know he's safe in his crib and that's where he belongs. You can tell him that you'll stay for a few minutes with him as long as he lays down and stops screaming; he should be old enough to understand, and if he doesn't do as you ask, leave. Then go back in a few minutes later, eventually he'll catch on. You just have to keep in control and wait it out. It's really tough because it's awful seeing your child so upset, but it's for his and your own good.

When he transitions to a big bed, he'll start coming out of his room, then you'll have to do it all again. :) But it works out in the end as long as you're firm, consistent and loving. Good luck!!

My son is almost 15 months and we have been going through the same thing for a few weeks now. The past week has been horrible. He has been waking up scared and just wants mommy. One night we tried to let him cry. I made it 25 minutes and then I couldn't stand it anymore. I knew this was out of character for him, so figured he needed some extra snuggling so we have been bringing him into bed with us. Worried about it becoming a habit as well, after a few hours in bed, we moved him back to his crib for the remainder of the night. FINALLY, last night when he woke up, I heard him babbling on the moniter instead of screaming. Hang in there. It will likely pass.