Maybe our re-settling techniques are too overstimulating? Could this be the case? It seems that if we go in and pat her or stroke her head she gets worse.

One of the things that sleep school taught me... once you've put your child to sleep in their cot - don't take them out until their "sleep time" is over. ie: don't take them out for a cuddle or settling outside of the cot - unless they are REALLY upset.
"comfort parents" won't agree with that... but I discovered that you are able to stay with your child... soothe them, pat them, calm them, talk softly... and they resettle. And they will get used to falling asleep in their cot - and will be able to do that themselves in a short time.

You don't have to do any 'controlled crying' techniques. You can stay with your child until they sleep. Just try to resist picking the baby up. I used to sit beside my DS and hold his hand, and pat his back with my other hand.

I have found that my 17mo child is going through a 'habit' at the moment of going to bed... then screaming - not cryng. If we go in too soon - he just wants to play... and that is at 9-10pm... when his usual bedtime is 8pm. But, if we let him hollar for 10 minutes... he wears himself out... and we go in and he scoots onto his bed, and either myself or DH lie down with him, and he goes to sleep within mintues.


There are soooo many different ideas & techniques that can be suggested... and some techniques work for some, not for others. Some mums need to rock/hold their babies to sleep. Some mums can get so sleep deprived that they will do anything to get their baby to sleep.

A child will learn 'habits' very quickly. Even a little bitty baby will know if it cries... mummy will come in and pick me up and give me cuddles.... even if they are 'meant' to be asleep. By crying, and being picked up... they are being stimulated... and will often find it dificult to relax enough to sleep.

good luck. I hope you find something that works. Sleep school is not for everyone... but it was the best thing I ever did. You can ask you maternal nurse or GP if you want to consider going to one.