A trick that worked great for me with my daughter was to get a cushion (one that she was familiar with) and call it the sleepy cushion. I told my daughter that Mummy would sit on the sleepy cushion which I placed next to her cot until she went to sleep. The first night took about half an hour and I crept out. If she woke up I'd have to repeat it not looking at her and saying Mummy is on the sleepy cushion you go to sleep. After 3 days with it by her cot I moved it slightly away from the cot, then after another 3 days near the door, then another 3 days outside the room, down the hall and in my bedroom etc, it took about 2 weeks but now when she goes to bed and starts I just shout Mummy's on the sleepy cushion you go to sleep. Its tough going for the first few nights but in the long run it really worked for us.
Its so hard when they won't let you sleep. You have my sympathy.
