Moms who have dealt with separation anxiety...Need advice

Last night was a nightmare. Out of the blue (Paige has always been a good sleeper) Paige did not want to leave my side AT ALL last night. Even when DH held her she wanted me. I know that it could be teething relating and she needs more antibotics for her ear, but she has never done this. I put her in the crib but she stood up crying so hard. I repeated the process a few times and every time she just rolled over and stood up. I got to the point where I just slept on the floor with her and she fell right to sleep and slept till the morning.

I dont know if is a one time thing, but since she has been in PT she has been more mobile and wont even take naps anymore. Everytime i put her in teh crib she stands.

I need advice on what to do. Do i just go in and lay her back down and keep repeating it. You have to remember that we are not at all used to this. She never rolled over or stood up in her 14 months of life. Now thats all she wants to do.

I would have put her in our bed but i didnt for a few reasons. I dont want her to 1) get used to it and 2) we have always had the dogs sleep in our bed and it think it will be near impossible for them (specifically, one of my dogs) to not sleep in the bed. My dog Missy will just cry and scratch at the door and if the baby is sleeping I dont want her to wake the baby up. I feel like im in a pickle, big time.

Sorry this is so long, but if have dealt with any of these obstacles, can you please fill me in on what to do. I really trust everyone's advice on here.

Me without sleep is a nightmare. Oh, can I also add that it must be nice to be a man. He got to sleep in a nice soft bed while i got to sleep on a nice hard floor. Im so tired this morning.

Message edited 4/15/2008 9:25:43 AM.

Re: Moms who have dealt with separation anxiety...Need advice

I've dealt with many facets of separation anxiety, it's so hard, but remember to them it's a real fear

Sounds to me like she knows how to stand now and does it in her crib, but at night she can't figure how to get back down.

During the day, put her in the crib, let her stand up, then show her and practice how to get back down to lie down. I went through that with my oldest and now my youngest, once they learn and have the confidence to get down once they stand up, they'll do it at night when they are sleepy.

As for the separation anxiety, you are a great mommy for sleeping on her floor.
We hold them with separation anxiety then when they calm down and are almost asleep, back in their cribs they go and we keep doing it. Sometimes they have to cry for a coulple mins before they fall back to sleep. (I don't do CIO, so it's not that)

Also during the day if it's separation anxiety there are some exercises you can do to help her out, never sneak out of a room, or leave without saying goodbye, play peek a boo with her, play hide and seek, if you say your going into the kitchen, tell her that and tell her you'll be back in a couple mins and be back in a couple min. It sounds silly but it works, also always talk to her at her eye level, get on teh floor, get on your knees.

Good luck, fm me if you have questions and good luck