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Major separation anxiety at 18 months?

Gabe&DanaGabe&Dana
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months

Sigh ... DD is a nightmare right now. I can't even go to the bathroom with her screaming for "mama". DD used to go to bed without much of a peep, now it's 1.5 hours of gut wrenching screaming unless you sit by her crib until she falls asleep. She is so afraid to close her eyes b/c I might leave her side. It takes forever for her to go to sleep! She has started waking at night and screams for me as soon as she wakes up- last night DH and I were up for 2.5 hours trying to get her back down. She will not go with anyone other than myself or occasionally DH- Yesterday he took her to the park and the entire time she fussed and asked for "mama" while they were out ....

Is this normal at this age? I was hoping we were getting passed this phase ... 

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Re: Major separation anxiety at 18 months?

  • FinallyMrsBMWFinallyMrsBMW member

    Even though our DD doesn't have anxiety about leaving us at all, I think that it is fairly common at this age.  We were even able to take a trip for 5 days and leave her with our moms and she was perfectly content.  She loves us dearly and asked for us a few times, but wasn't upset at all.

    With regard to sleeping, DD has had some trouble with this, but I refuse to sit right next to her until she goes to sleep.  I know that she wants me to do this, but I think it would drive us all crazy.  When I put her down to sleep, I cuddle her for a few minutes standing by her crib, then put her down and pat her butt like she likes.  Then I say goodnight and tell her I love her, walk out of the room and close the door but leave it cracked.  She stands up and cries for me and I tell her that I am right here and to lay back down.  She usually does and cries a little bit.  She can usually go to sleep within about 10 minutes.  She has been crying like this for the past month or so, but I'm trying very hard not to give into her.

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  • Gabe&DanaGabe&Dana
    imageFinallyMrsBMW:

    Even though our DD doesn't have anxiety about leaving us at all, I think that it is fairly common at this age.  We were even able to take a trip for 5 days and leave her with our moms and she was perfectly content.  She loves us dearly and asked for us a few times, but wasn't upset at all.

    With regard to sleeping, DD has had some trouble with this, but I refuse to sit right next to her until she goes to sleep.  I know that she wants me to do this, but I think it would drive us all crazy.  When I put her down to sleep, I cuddle her for a few minutes standing by her crib, then put her down and pat her butt like she likes.  Then I say goodnight and tell her I love her, walk out of the room and close the door but leave it cracked.  She stands up and cries for me and I tell her that I am right here and to lay back down.  She usually does and cries a little bit.  She can usually go to sleep within about 10 minutes.  She has been crying like this for the past month or so, but I'm trying very hard not to give into her.

    I know this has to be done soon. She is at the point where she knows we will stay if she cries long enough. :/ I feel like I have been sleep training for a year straight. We get things down for a few months and then sickness, vacations and molars throw everything for a loop! 

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