Sep anxiety? and sleep? (or lack thereof!)

[MamaPan]

Hi All
DS has not been a great sleeper for a while now... he wakes up a couple of times a night now...
I used to feed and/or rock him in our arms to sleep... that worked for a while... then a few weeks ago he went through a stage where he would wake up yelling and only want to sleep on our chests (sitting in the rocker) - for up to an hour at each wake up when we would sneak him into the cot...
Now he wakes and we are able to comfort him usually in the cot, he will roll over onto his side and we can pat him... he will quiet and shut his eyes and go to sleep. then we either keep patting a little or sit next to the cot for a bit... but he wakes and starts crying when we leave.. or if he stays asleep when he stirs and sees we are no longer there starts crying. I guess it is still an improvement on the past when we had to feed or rock but does anyone have any suggestions how to deal with this or have any of you been through it?
he is 10.5 months.
TIA.

[Leemar]

Hey Pregpan,

Just wondering have you tried to give him like a cloth nappy or something to hold on to?

Jordan use to and Olivia does go to sleep holding a cloth nappy.

[MamaPan]

Great tip Leeanne - will try something like that....

[AnyDream]

Pregpan I was about to suggest a similar thing. E has this little soft toy (Mamas and Papas little Pip) and she just likes to hold and pat it while she is going off to sleep. I've noticed she settles better and less complaining when Mummy leaves the room!

[monnie]

Maybe it's also a stage...our little boy is 11 months and he sounds identical.

He appears fast asleep but as soon as DH or I try to leave the room, he sits upright and cries!

[mbear]

Hi pregpan
Im still up once a night with Sam - although its a quick breastfeed and back into bed.

Although...... she was waking a few times a night a few months ago - so i introduced a dummy and miffy - a stuffed toy - miffy sleeps in the cot with her- (some mornings i go in and she has her face buried in his !!!) and the dummy has been fantastic. I do have to get up every now and then to pop it back in, some nights i dont do it at all, other nights its maybe twice.......... Last night she slept from 730pm - 6:15am - quick feed, then up again at 8am - a fantastic night. I hope you get some relief........