18 mo still cries every night before bed - why?

[MsZelda]

I can't help but wonder why my DD still cries every. single. night. before bed. We have an extensive and peaceful bedtime routing that lasts over an hour. Tidy toys. Bath. Pjs. Teeth. Loooong Nurse. Stories. Lie down together until she falls completely asleep. She seems happy, relaxed, even tired right up until the light goes off and she knows it's the end of the routine and time for sleep. I stay with her - lying on the floor beside her mattress on the floor and try to pat her and hug her and sing to her and hum and shush her until she finally lets go - up to an additional hour later. She still cries every night, and sits up and sometimes won't even let me touch her. She usually stops crying before she falls asleep, but she NEVER skips the cry altogether unless I nurse her right into a deep sleep (which we used to do but I've stopped doing for over 6 months).

Does anyone else have a similar experience? do you think there is something wrong or do you think this is a normal, healthy stress release? Everything else seems great, I just feel bad that our sweet evening always have to include tears. Any ideas would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,
Kelley

[claddaghmom]

what happens when you move bedtime an hour later?
is she scared of the dark?
do you nurse her to sleep?

[lifeguard]

Bedtime is the worst part of the day & it makes me so sad 'cause I've worked so hard to try to make a pleasant, predictable bedtime routine but regardless there are always tears involved. My theory is that he just has a hard time letting go of the day.

[MsZelda]

Originally Posted by claddaghmom

what happens when you move bedtime an hour later?
is she scared of the dark?
do you nurse her to sleep?

bedtime seems to be worse the later it gets - which is why I now start the routine around 6ish and hope to have her asleep before 8. The room is not really dark - there is a nightlight. She cried just as much when we coslept in my bed. We no longer nurse all the way to sleep, but just until sleepy and then we have books, then I lie with her and sing to her. She usually doesn't cry too long, but I would love for her good mood to stay with her as she drifts off instead of having to have so many tears. I guess I would just feel better if I knew that her cry was serving some purpose.