20 month sleep regression?!

ebalkits · March 2014

We did cry-it-out with my daughter when she was about 11 months old which worked well for us. Since then she will typically go to bed without a problem, however we've had a few regressions here and there which has usually followed an illness or teething. The regressions were never too bad (maybe 10 minutes of crying) and typically takes us about a week to get her back on track when this happens, with crying getting gradually less as the week progresses. I don't know what happened, but about 2 weeks ago she started crying hysterically again to sleep. My husband and I have been standing strong as we usually do and have not gone into her room while she's crying. This time, however, instead of getting better, it's getting worse. One night she cried for 20 minutes, another a half hour and tonight a whole whopping 45 minutes. She's not sick or teething. She's happy when she wakes up and the whole day, until I put her down to bed. We've had the same consistent nightly routine since she's been about a year (bath, pajamas, book before bed). She seems tired as she's yawning before bed and will often yawn as she's crying. My husband thinks we should try going in the room and comforting her, however I'm scared to do this, as past experience this always seemed to make things worse and prolong the crying even further, which is why we resorted to CIO in the first place. I guess you should know her typical bedtime is 7pm to 7am, with a 1-2 hour nap at 12pm. Anybody else have this happen?

BeachBabe22 · March 2014

My daughter started doing the same thing last Saturday. We have a bedtime routine that we have done for months and then all of a sudden she was scream like she was in pain when I laid her in her crib. She started waking up in the middle of the night too. I'm a big baby and I've been getting her when she's screaming in the middle of the night. I don't know what is going on but it's really stressing me out. I'm hoping she gets back to her normal sleep habits soon.

ebalkits · March 2014

Ugh! Let's hope this phase passes quickly! I'm about to lose it!

ashiscute · March 2014

Sleep regression around 18 mos is pretty common. My DD had one and then and she has always been a great sleeper. Honestly, I did not make her just cry by herself. We just gave extra cuddles and snuggles at the time and it took about 2 weeks for her to be back to normal. I am not anti-CIO at all but I assume if she knows how to sleep and she is crying then she needs me.

Tapthathank · March 2014

I was going to post something like this today! DS usually goes down really easily after our bedtime routine. He'll talk in his crib for a bit and then fall asleep on his own. Last night he popped right back up after I laid him down and started crying immediately after I left the room. I went back in a couple times - we rocked for a bit, I tried laying next to his crib - but he thought that was really fun so I finally just had to let him cry it out. It is so hard! He only cried for 10 min but it felt like longer.

I think you did the right thing - with our little one, if we keep going in it just prolongs the crying and staying awake. Hopefully, it will get better and back to normal soon!

ebalkits · March 2014

We were also very surprised that she cried for 45 minutes. She hasn't done that in over a year, when we first started CIO. When I say "cry", it wasn't a consistent 45 minutes of hysteria. She would have several minutes of whining/fake crying followed by some minutes of hysterical crying and sometimes she would lay quietly and start again. We weren't sure if we should go in, because in her whining/quiet moments, it seemed like she was going to finally fall asleep and then out of no where she'd start belting one out again. She woke up this morning happy as can be though. No fever, no teeth popping through as far as I can see. I just don't get it!

michelle615 · March 2014

I completely agree that LO's go through sleep phases. We've had our share. I know you said there is no fever. But have you considered having her ears checked for an ear infection? Whenever DS has an ear infection, the only time it is obvious is when he is laying down. That's when they feel the pressure in their ears. He cries and gets up multiple times during the night. But he's fine during the day as long as he is upright. Just a thought.

arilevine · March 2014

Dd is 17 months & we are going through something very similar- in the past 2-3 weeks her naps have been hit or miss and some nights ( like tonight) she screams when I put her down. We did CIO when she was around 10-11 months & it worked great but it's just not working any longer. I have been going in & rocking her & snuggling with her- heck, a couple of nights ago she wouldn't go back down after a 3 am wake so her & I slept in the guest room until around 5 & then I put her back into her room until almost 8. Tonight I went in twice after no naps today & finally let her fall asleep in our bed & then took her to her crib. I'm hoping for a good night but anything is possible at this point.

ebalkits · March 2014

Ugh! I feel you're pain! Fingers crossed, but it seems my daughter is finally getting back on track. Sending you lots of luck and good thoughts that this will pass soon!

deebride1020 · March 2014

My son is doing this exact thing as I type and its so frustrating. Its almost like hes scared to go to bed or something and I know hes tired

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