Separation anxiety for naps?

My DD is suffering from horrible separation anxiety during her naps. Not at night, just naps. She has been refusing to take them at all. We had 5 days of no naps this past week. I put her down after a nice LONG soothe period(this week anuway, normally not too long), which she has been doing for months, and then the screaming ensues. Today, my MIL had her all day while DH and i went out, and guess what? She had no problem at all! Slept wonderfully for the first time in a week. Meaning DD is perfectly fine, but loves mommy soooooo much, that she can't stand it when mommy deserts her! Ugh!!! I am not sure how to handle this. I have done CIO in the past, both for bedtime to STTN and naps. She always responded well and quickly. But not this time. I tried 3 days to leave her and after crying for 1 hr, i went and got her, so, no naps. Thurs. I got her after 20 min b/c i felt guilty if there might be something really wrong with her. Friday, after taking to the pedi to find out nothing is wrong with her, i again left her for 1 hr and she cried the whole time.
I need advice. Since she is obviously distraught, should i even be leaving her? Should I continue the 1 hour thing until she eventually goes to back to sleeping on her own? I feel kind of mean letting her cry for so long. But is that the right thing to do? This doesn't seem to be adressed in HSHHC and i don't know where to go with this. I have one unhappy little girl. I know this is a phase, but since i have no idea how long it will last, i need to do something about it. This is killing me and she is plain miserable.

Help!

Oh, she is 13 1/2 months adjusted (17 m actual), so i know this is a typical time for separation anxiety, just not sure how to handle it.

TIA!

-Candi

 

No advice whatsoever, just a hug and sorry you're having to deal with this. We've gotten to the point where they ONLY want Mommy at night when they're going to bed, so someone is always crying for me. Hope it ends soon. It's nice to be loved so much, but......

 

I would find a teether doll or a favorite blanket or something to help her soothe herself to sleep. It may take a while for her to find her favorite. Daniel cant go to sleep without his blanket and Joshua has to have his bunny.

 

A comfort item that works is critical. But that comfort item can't be YOU once they are in bed!

I think Weissbluth's basic premise is to set the bed/naptime routine and follow it consistently.