If you want to try and encourage her to go back to her cot, maybe you could try doing a few fun/interesting (yet relaxing.....not 'excitable' type activities) in her room next to her cot as part of a wind-down for the day. Maybe you could introduce a special book (or use a favourite toy or something?) and make the evening bedtime routine something really nice and relaxing and inviting for her......

The other thing you could do is rather than try settling her in her cot, is to get her out and cuddle/rock/pat (or whatever works) in her room, next to her cot, but not actually in it IYKWIM? So get her out and do whatever she needs comfort-wise and then once she has relaxed and calmed down, try putting her back in again?

I guess it's all about making her feel totally comfortable, safe and snuggly in her own room/bed.....

It's tricky though as you say - when they're unwell and they want the extra comfort that only Mummy and Daddy can provide. If you're not in a desperate hurry to get her back into her cot and are happy with how things are for now, perhaps you could just let it slide and be guided by what she needs right now and then try her cot again in a few weeks?

Good luck!