Baby scared of her room?

Jaci - posted on 06/01/2012

I am having this issue with my 10 month old son. He was sleeping fine in his room (though I haven't managed to get him to FALL asleep by himself yet). He was sick for 2 weeks (Hand, foot, and mouth disease one week, stomach flu the next) but was sleeping in there fine until just a few days ago when I was too sick to get up with him one night. My husband got up, calmed him down, and put him back to bed several times, but he wouldn't rest until he had me. I nursed him, my husband took him back to his crib, and he screamed for a LONG time before finally going to sleep. Since that night, he won't nap or sleep in his bed. he just stands there and screams- for hours. It's 3:30 now and he's been crying since 1:00, with a 20minute break in there where I decided to nurse him back to sleep and try again. He's so tired! He'll fall asleep in my arms, nursing, or when I pick him up to calm him, but the second I lay him down in his crib, he wakes up and screams again and doesn't ever settle down. He hasn't napped in 3 days now, and and has not slept well at night either. The poor guy! Even holding him though, he won't stay asleep if I move. Any ideas?

Jessica - posted on 02/12/2011

Fortunately, I have not had this issue with either of my children. Some may argue that with my second it is because they share a room, but in reality, he does better in there when his brother is not sleeping in there at the same time!

I have no problems with others who choose to co-sleep (to each their own) but I am a firm believer in not co-sleeping. It creates a habit that is extremely difficult to break. We used the cry-it-out method for our oldest and it worked wonders within a week and we have never had an issue since. he has never once asked to sleep in our bed with us and I am glad, as my husband takes up enough space in our bed... I do not need another body pushing me out of the already small space I have in bed!

Ashley - posted on 01/05/2011

My son gets like that when he is sick. He will do exactly what ur daughter does n wake up within minutes of going in the crib. Usually it starts when he isnt feeling well and i give in and put him in my bed. Then once he is feeling better and i try to get him back in his crib he fights it for 3 nights or so, but if im persistant after those nights he is fine. I know when I first moved him from his baby hammock in our room to his crib in his own room it was a lot of guess work till he was comfortable. For example I had a nightlight in there so i could see if he woke up and realized he wont sleep if it is on. He wants complete silence and darkness. Maybe her preferences as to what makes her feel safe changed? I know she is getting older now but have you tried one of those womb sounds bears? I have a friend who swears by it with her 9month old

Melissa - posted on 01/05/2011

aaww I am a fan of co-sleeping..but if its not working for you maybe try to put her in a pack and play beside your bed...she will be near you and can get used to sleeping in her own space then gradually move her back to her crib! We had that issue untill he was 3months but at night he always slept in our room in his pack and play then for naps in his crib we had to sleep train him. It worked great for us! At this age I would imagine seperation anxiety is what going on with your LO!