sleep regression and sep anxiety? long :)

marym94 · December 2013

My "always happy & easy going baby" has been really really struggling for the last two weeks with sleeping and separation anxiety. I thought it was the chaos of guests over Thanksgiving but it hasn't let up at all... he has not gone down for a nap without a huge fit in two weeks - yesterday he cried for an hour before his care taker went in to get him (he was never like this before) and at night he has been waking up 1-3 times a night recently - which he hasn't done in months! Last night he woke up 5 times and was up most of the night and today ( I am at work but I am told) he has been refusing a nap completely. And the other thing is that as soon as he sees me - he only wants me to hold him - no one else, and he doesn't want to play, he wants to be held.

I should mention he is almost 16 months - and this is all so off for him. Is this just a phase? what do you suggest about the naps? or the fact that he doesn't want me to put him down? I am thinking it must be serious teething, but I am also afraid that I am creating bad habits by catering to him (and if its NOT teething, then I don't know how long this might last). Any thoughts

marym94 · December 2013

thanks

I am giving him that attn too bc it's what i feel is best, but I guess I just needed to hear it from others. so thank you. regarding his naps - we had switched him to 1 nap a couple of weeks before (about a month ago) and it was going great... but that seemed to change two weeks into it.

Tapthathank · December 2013

Definitely don't feel bad about giving him extra attention - clearly something is up! Does he have his 1 year molars yet? Those were a bitch....and the canines were the absolute worst. Those seriously messed up sleep and he only wanted me to hold him. We read a lot of books and snuggled to get him through that phase.

What time is he going down for his nap? Maybe he needs to be put down a little earlier, especially if he didn't sleep well last night. He could be overtired and fighting it.

Has he had any/many ear infections? The pressure from laying down makes the pain worse, so that could be why he's not napping, waking up at night and clingy to you. I had no idea that my DS had an ear infection until I took him in for pink eye - then all of the sleep troubles made sense!

Just thought I'd throw that out there too! Good luck! Hopefully it's just a phase and/or teething and it will go back soon.

marym94 · December 2013

Thank you! He has never had an ear infection - I am wondering if I should take him in to find out? Hadn't considered that before...

Tapthathank · December 2013

I would take him in just to get him checked out! For peace of mind at least! You know him best, if this is not normal behavior and you feel that something is off, then take him in.

vrj0522 · December 2013

It seems like we get a post like this almost everyday for babies between 16-18 months old. I think it's a phase and a typical one. Just keep doing what you normally do and try to help with the separation anxiety as much as you can.

We went through a phase like this when DS turned 17 months and it took a few weeks before his sleeping patterns went back to normal. The only thing you want to avoid is creating bad habits in trying to get through the night. The separation anxiety has let up a little but outside of our gym daycare where he goes for two hours a few times a week, he is not be happy anywhere else if I am not with him. He's even turned a cold shoulder on dad for now (breaks my heart) but I am really hoping this passes soon because it really is hard.

We went to the pedi last week and she said separation anxiety can come in phases and that it is normal up until they are 7 years old. OMG! Hopefully it is not this bad for the next 6 years! lol

LEIGHLOVE09 · December 2013

This happened with us just last month when DD was 16 mos old too. She was refusing to go down for naps so as a last resort I let her cry. She cried for 1.5 hours before she laid down and went to sleep. All it took was that one day of letting her cry and she hasn't cried since and goes down perfect for a nap once again. We weren't having issues with nighttime sleep though. I agree with getting ears checked and if all is okay I would let him cry. It's so so difficult but it was the best thing I did for DD as she needed the rest.

Tapthathank · December 2013

@jmmacdonald - How did yesterday & last night go? Any better? Did you take him in to get his ears checked?

marym94 · December 2013

Tapthathank said:

@jmmacdonald - How did yesterday & last night go? Any better? Did you take him in to get his ears checked?

Thank you for asking

took him in today and not his ears - but ped said it was a good thing to check and can often be the issue.

he went down last night at 6:30 and didn't wake up all night (progress!) but woke up at 5 for the day and refused napping today (even tried taking him on a long walk so he might sleep in his stroller -but when we went by the park it was over and he wanted to get out and play, def not sleep!)

so no nap but he went down at 7 tonight (normal) so we will see! Feel so bad bc he is so tired - and i have to go on a bus trip week after next so really hoping things improve before then!

thanks again for asking

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