Toddler separation anxiety HELP!

I'm at my wit's end. I don't know what to do anymore. My always independent, super social, adaptable little guy is going through a terrible bout of separation anxiety PLUS a sleep regression (related, I'm sure). It started with the sleep. He went from STTN to waking up multiple times and needing to come into our bed to sleep. He went from falling asleep easily on his own to one of us sitting next to his crib for anywhere from 30-90 minutes, only to have him wake up an hour or two later crying. He won't nap unless he's in our bed or someone is lying with him. All this was bad enough, but then we went back to work/daycare after spring break (yesterday) and my baby who has LOVED daycare since day 1 (he's been there since September) is now having an awful time. He cried on and off for me all day yesterday, and today when I dropped him off he FREAKED out. He clung to me and screamed and cried. I don't know what to do! I can't miss work, I'm exhausted from the nights. Our awesome routine is shot to tell. I'm at a total loss. ANY suggestions would be great.

He's 18 months, and yes we have tried letting him CIO but he just cries and screams (one time for 5 hours). It doesn't work AT ALL. Not this time.

Toddler separation anxiety HELP!

my DD went through this at about 18 months as well. I tried EVERYTHING but nothing helped. She just wanted us and that's it. Until one day she just went back to her normal routine. So it was def just a phase. Hang in there...it will get better!

Toddler separation anxiety HELP!

I am in the same situation. My 2 year old use to go to sleep with no issue say night night and go to sleep on his own. All of a sudden the last week or so he started saying no momma cuddle or say sleep in momma's bed. We also tried the CIO but that did not work (add in he is in a toddler bed and he stands by the door and cries). We actually tried on Friday to set up a chair near his bed and sit there for a little before he falls asleep. Believe it or not that worked. I would love to have my kid that just goes to sleep without any issue but sitting on a chair for about 15 to 20 minutes is livable as well.

My son also started crying when I drop him off at day care but they say that he stops a minute or two after I leave. I try to get there a few minutes before they give breakfast so that he is distracted quickly after I leave.

Re: Toddler separation anxiety HELP!

It will pass. Hopefully quickly now that he's back in routine.

Toddler separation anxiety HELP!

My dd went through this at 18 months. It was 1 of the worst sleep regression she had. It lasted a month for us.

My dd goes through phases of separation anxiety and those 2 eventually pass.

My best advice is to constantly reassure him your coming back to pick him up. Your not going anywhere. You love him.

At night we kinda just did what we needed to do to sleep. So i dont have advice to just make it stop. I used to take her to bed with me. I would always start her in her room and then eventually i started to sleep on her floor in her room and then eventually i got back to my room. Many people may not agree with it but cio is not for me. It went on for a month but then just suddenly stopped.
I did stop taking her out of her crib. I told her she wasnt coming out that its bedtime. Thats why eventually i slept in her room... i would rub her back for a few minutes and she would stay up in bed but she eventually got she wasnt coming out.

Toddler separation anxiety HELP!

All I can say is it will pass. Just about every toddler I know goes through it and there is not fix.....except time.

Daycare should be able to re-direct them. We see it all the time when we drop off DS....there are always kids crying when their parents leave and the teachers do a great job at calming them down and getting them involved in something else.

Re: Toddler separation anxiety HELP!

We are also dealing with the same issues. DD is 20 1/2 mos and for the last two months she's been sleeping in our bed. I admittedly didn't really sleep train. I couldn't CIO and just caved. Between being pregnant, work, and an ungodly amount of illnesses between the two of us, it is what it is for now and works.

We are also dealing with separation anxiety. It's come and gone and it's resurfaced recently. She cries when she is separated from us. My parents watch her and luckily, she gets over it pretty quickly, 15 mins at the most from what my mom tells me. I think this is definitely a phase and will continue to come and go.