Conference moira::parenting_v3

Yes, it's possible, but I think she's probably more scared of the new 
environment in general than the dark in particular.

Perhaps there's something in the room -- a different shadow, a place 
where she hears a different noise -- that frightens her.  You might
try moving her crib/bed to a different part of the room.  

Is she afraid that you aren't there any more?  Could you try leaving the
door open? 

--bonnie 

    I tend to agree with Bonnie that it is a fear of something other than
    the dark itself. At her age, she is developing more awareness of stuff
    like shadows, and her imagination is really beginning a major climb
    now. so she may think that something she sees is scary. I would also
    recommend moving the crib, or moving the night light (so it casts
    different shadows). You might also try a table lamp on the other side
    of her room with a dimmer on it. Leave it on, somewhat brighter that
    her night light, so shadows are not so pronounced. If she can nap
    during the day when its light, she can sleep with it on. Then,
    gradually turn it down so that it's about the intensity of her night
    light, then switch to just the nightlite.
    
    Other possibilites........
    
    anything happen recently to startle or scare her? As I recall from
    ours, dreams can be particularly a nuisance now, as they start to dream
    more (or is it just that they realize the dreams more now?).
    
    How about a new food? Some food allergies can casue some pretty unusual
    night problems (the old "never eat a pepperoni pizza before bed").
    
    Let us know what happens.
    
    --dave--

    
    
    My son went through this at the same age.  He went from his crib to a
    youth bed before he was 1 yr old.  We rearranged his room and put the
    bed in a different place than his crib was, and he went crazy when we
    even brough him near his bed.  Crying like someone beat him, cold
    sweats it was awful.  
    
    A friend of mine came over and was watching him and she made the
    suggestion that we put the bed where his crib was.  We changed it that
    night and he did not wake up.
    
    What we realized then, was that he could see the lights in the hallway
    where his crib was originally, and when we moved it he could no longer
    see out his door and was scared.
    
    To this day, his bed faces the doorway in his room.  
    
    Good Luck,
    Michele

    A couple of thoughts:
    
    1   Are there any unusual noises at night in the new place?  Is there a
       near by airport or train station?
    
    
    My daughter developed a sudden fear of train whistles at a young age. 
    It took us a while to find the noise because we were so used to it 
    we didn't hear it.  My daughter also developed a fear of wind about
    the same time, so on windy nights I could plan on little to no sleep.
    
    These fears were temporary, we both have learned to adjust.
    
    2   My daughter has gone through constant stages of giving us trouble 
        sleeping too asking to go to bed. I remember the 1st few times I 
        was sure something was wrong, but it just turned out to be another 
        stage.
    
    If this is true, do what you have to to get through it. It only last
    until the next stage.
    
    Good luck
    Sue 
                        

    Hmmmmm, I'd concentrate more on the 'we just moved' aspect of this.  Is
    she afraid that YOU'LL move while she's asleep?  A couple of weeks is
    long enough for her to be comfortable - she was comfortable before -
    she may be wondering if everything will change again!  She's kind of
    young to be able to say much to reassure her, but perhaps there's
    something that you can say - or let her sleep with - that will help her
    know that you WILL be there.
    
    Also, a lot of younger kids tend to think that a move is temporary, and
    they are waiting to move back to their old house.
    
    It's been a few days .... how's it going?