My eighteen month old will suddenly not go down for naps or bedtime without being held until she falls asleep. I have been so careful not to rock her to sleep at night because I did this with my son and it took so long to teach him he could go to sleep without me holding him. So all of the sudden she screams and cries every time I put her in her crib and leave the room. Help!

My daughter is now 21 months old, but she has done this about once a month since about 15 months old. For a few days, she wants to be rocked or have her back rubbed...anything but to be left alone in her crib day or night. Sometimes I find that she isn't feeling well, and it feels better to her to have me there. Sometimes she is cutting a tooth, and it hurt her teeth and/or ears to be layed down flat. Other times she just wants me or her dad...no other explanation. Sometimes I will give in and rock with her for 5-10 mins. or so, and then explain that now it is time for her to go to sleep. Other times, she just has to deal with going to sleep on her own.

I usually judge what I'm going to do based on her cries. If she seems out of control and REALLY upset, I do my best to calm her and/or rock her until she is sleepy enough for me to put her down. If she just seems cranky or overly tired, I let her cry for a little while to see if she will just stop fighting it...checking on her about every 10 mins. if she won't stop crying.

Hope that helps!