He won't sleep with me...

[Nettie]

I'm a working Mum with a stay-at-home-Dad. My 8 month old son is now refusing to go to sleep with me - only with his Dad.

I can try for hours, then Dad will come in and get him to sleep within 20 minutes - so it's not my imagination.

I don't know if it's a separation-anxiety thing as usually Dad's not home when I try to get him to sleep. He's fine with everything else and seems really happy with both of us - except to go to sleep.

Any ideas on how to fix this? I'm getting rather upset about it and beginning to wonder if I'm doing something wrong...

[Charlyfrog]

Try not to get upset lovey as imo its just a natural thing that little one's gravitate to certain parents at different times iykwim? Actually, I remember a thread about this somewhere (??) but it was from the other side of the coin, Dad's perspective. You're doing nothing wrong lovey!! Imo again, its just a phase that your little man is going through and although it may be tricky initially, just remember how wonderful and fantastic a mummy you truly are and your little one loves you to pieces!! Be patient and calm and maybe for a while, especially when your partner is home, you be the primary settler, even if Daddy just has to stand nearby to begin with and eventually sneak out over time.

I know it doesn't help the present but this will pass lovey!! Thinking of you

[Ozziehoffy]

to you. Like Charly said, completely normal for them to go through stages like this. In fact, my little man (20 months) has just gone through a stage where daddy is NOT allowed to do anything for him...only mummy. He waves and says bye to dad when I tell him it's bath time with daddy...lol. They do go in and out of little funny behaviours like this.

[MantaRay]

Both my boys go down much more easily with DH than with me. I'm lucky that most of the time they are good sleepers so I can get them down anyway, but some days when DH isn't here I just can't get them down. And when DH is here - well, it has to be him! In some ways it's good, it gives me some BB time while DH is doing it LOL!

[Nettie]

Thanks guys! I feel spesh that you're all encouraging me!

on the 'yay' side, I managed to get him to sleep tonight - but DH was home (but out of sight in another room) so I'm thinking maybe it's a separation anxiety thing with DH?? He knew he was home, so he could relax? Maybe??

It did take a while, but it was pretty low-fuss really. Made me feel all warm & fuzzy though!

Thanks again - and I'd still like to hear advice if you have it!