My 16 month old daughter, who shares her room with her twin brother, has recently started screaming when we put her in her crib for sleep.  She used to go into her crib, talk for a little bit and go to sleep, no problem.  About a month ago, I put her down for her afternoon nap, and she started screaming like she was terrified.  She has pretty much been doing it for every nap and bedtime since.  It's gotten to the point that I need to rock her to sleep and hold her for her naps or sleep with her next to me in bed.  I know this is not the usual protest cries of not wanting to sleep.  It's like something scared her and now she will not sleep in her crib at all.  Even if I rock her and she is deeply asleep, as soon as I try to put her down, she starts screaming again.  My husband also feels that something has happened, this just isn't like her.  It's like someone flicked a switch.   I am desperate to figure this out.  We have tried leaving her and she just screams and screams.  I don't want to scare her further.  I have tried letting her play in her crib during awake times so that she sees it is a fun safe place, and when she is playing everything seems fine.  She has a night light and white noise, and her brother.  I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.  I honestly do not believe this is manipulation, but maybe I am just deluding myself :(

Many thanks.

Darmeen wrote: Sorry to hear that you little one is not sleeping well. Are there any changes to her routine that may have unsettled her?

 I find that little changes in my son's routine (non-issues to us adults) could unsettle the little one. Sometimes it may not even be related to sleep or the bedroom, etc.

Did she visit anyone recently or sleep anywhere recently that could have alarmed her? Or did anyone visit recently that could have unsettled her?

You are a very perceptive woman and mom!  On the day that this all started, my sister-in-law was here for a visit.  She lives out of town and doesn't visit too frequently.  Although she is a very warm and loving woman, it was still something new.  She is also much more exuberant than anyone in our household, which could have been unsettling.  And finally, she helped me put the twins to bed, and was holding my daughter while we sang them their bedtime song, whereas normally I would just be by myself.  I guess any of these things could have set her off, coupled with her age which is prime for separation anxiety.  Thank you for helping me see possible causes.  The big question now is how do I help her get back to her usual routine and feel comfortable again?

thanks again,

Leanne