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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

Waking up screaming

30 replies

crispyporkbelly · 30/04/2014 15:58

My ds is 16 months old and wakes up HYSTERICAL from naps/in the morning/at night.

What is this about? He will literally roll around screaming, writhing around, flinging himself back if I try and hold/cuddle console him.

He's on the floor now rolling around, I've put cbeebies on for distraction and its worked but after 10 mins and he will still cry a bit.

I feel like crying myself and I dread when he wakes up. Any tips please

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crispyporkbelly · 30/04/2014 15:59

I mean the tv works but not instantly, after 10mins of screaming while its on, he'll slowly stop and watch.

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crispyporkbelly · 30/04/2014 16:10

So he woke at 3.45 and he's just stopped screaming.

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Andcake · 30/04/2014 16:37

Doesn't crying mean they aren't ready to wake up and need more sleep! saying that DS does this a bit as well and I'm not sure why. he usually calms down after a while and goes back to sleep but he does it at night.
Also isn't tv meant to be bad for sleep/stimulation.

mumteedum · 30/04/2014 16:43

Mine was like this. Always had sleep problems. Lots better now but still occasional screaming wake up. I think teething had massive impact on ds sleep but also think partly developmental. Reckon imagination kicks in and they dream. Ds would scream hysterically but wasn't really awake. You had to wake him up properly to calm him down .

I know what pp means about tv not good for sleep but it used to be only way to calm ds down sometimes.

It will pass.sorry can't be more helpful.

mumteedum · 30/04/2014 16:45

Sometimes a drink or snack would help on waking from daytime nap. Ice lolly def worked when teething. Id know if was teeth cos his cheeks just glow bright red.

crispyporkbelly · 30/04/2014 18:02

So I shouldn't use tv to distract him? It's the only thing that usually works :(

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mumteedum · 30/04/2014 18:14

Imo just do what works! If that's tv (as was for us) then so be it. It won't last forever.

Was just saying I know where andcake is coming from. It'll be ok. Just a tough phase. Don't beat yourself up.

crispyporkbelly · 30/04/2014 20:46

When does it stop?

He hasn't woken up chatting in so long, I can't remember :(

My friend seemed really shocked by this.

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LovelyWeatherForDucks · 30/04/2014 21:12

My 18 month old does this too! Wakes up having a full-on meltdown. Regardless of how much sleep. In the morning I have a cup or bottle of milk ready and a little pot of dry cereal or a ricecake, and then after he's had his milk, he quietly eats his snack and this usually fends off the morning meltdown. Naps are a bit hit and miss still! I'd love to wake up to the sound of chattering rather than crying and 'mummmmyyy'!

mumteedum · 30/04/2014 21:14

See my ds always woke up upset from naps and still woke several times a night at your d s 's age. He just never was a good sleeper.

Is this same for you or is it more recent? You could check with doc as to if there's anything going on like ear infection or reflux though obviously you'd have other symptoms.

I think it probably is shocking for friends who haven't experienced it. I had so many well intentioned bits of advice about my son's sleep but when my parents saw it and mil, I think they understood. It's just how ds was and you just do what you need to to plod through.

Don't think there's necessarily anything to worry about, it's just knackering and hard to deal with. My ds is 2.5 & sleep massively better since 2 I'd say. He is still grumpy when wakes from naps but not hysterical anymore.

You sound stressed. Is he waking lots in night?

mumteedum · 30/04/2014 21:15

See my ds always woke up upset from naps and still woke several times a night at your d s 's age. He just never was a good sleeper.

Is this same for you or is it more recent? You could check with doc as to if there's anything going on like ear infection or reflux though obviously you'd have other symptoms.

I think it probably is shocking for friends who haven't experienced it. I had so many well intentioned bits of advice about my son's sleep but when my parents saw it and mil, I think they understood. It's just how ds was and you just do what you need to to plod through.

Don't think there's necessarily anything to worry about, it's just knackering and hard to deal with. My ds is 2.5 & sleep massively better since 2 I'd say. He is still grumpy when wakes from naps but not hysterical anymore.

You sound stressed. Is he waking lots in night?

crispyporkbelly · 30/04/2014 21:33

I was stressed at the time, its been full on as he's been unwell recently and not sleeping well at night at all. Feel better now he's in bed and ill try and get to bed early.

Good tips on having snacks ready. Not sure he would eat it but will try!

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sherbetpips · 30/04/2014 21:37

Mine always woke up crying, the. Once his speech was better screaming for one of us. Is there a chance you don't here him when he first wakes up?

kutee · 30/04/2014 21:38

I talk to mine and rub her back. Usually my voice is enough to calm her

mumteedum · 30/04/2014 21:38

Oop sorry for double post. Sure he'll settle down. Illness can really mess sleep up. Hope you get some rest.

crispyporkbelly · 30/04/2014 21:59

I always stay really calm and talk in a very calm way, try shushing, rubbing his back, cradling. then I usually lie him somewhere safe because he kicks and squirms and contorts his body so much. It's just upsetting to see everyday.

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crispyporkbelly · 30/04/2014 22:00

I do think its just who he is for now; very emotional and head strong.

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naty1 · 30/04/2014 22:28

Mine used to do this before we realised allergy to soya.
She still does when teething.
But will also do if woken from deep sleep by noises, very light sleeper, we cant use the dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer or kettle when she is asleep.
Now we have more chatting to herself

mumteedum · 01/05/2014 09:14

Morning crispy, how were wake ups overnight? Hope you doing ok.

crispyporkbelly · 03/05/2014 17:13

Thanks for asking. Things are still the same. My mum came round and saw him in action and said my dbro went through that phase too and it will pass.

He woke at 4am and screamed for an hour intermittently until he calmed down and fell asleep in our bed. I'm thinking night terrors?

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mumteedum · 03/05/2014 22:05

I agree with your mum. It is probably a phase. I think developmentally imagination kicks in so could well be night terrors. I've found my ds screaming in his room on wake up trying to put shoes on, clearly fast asleep.

I know mil and a few others used to comment on ds not sleeping suggesting I was running in to every little sound he made. Wasn't until they saw for themselves they realised he never just grumbled and worked hi s way up. He always woke up at full blown screaming.

I used to cosleep for ages when he woke and have had many a night calming him down with nature documentaries on BBC iPlayer whilst dozing a bit if I could!

Just do what gets you through and don't worry. I'm sure you're doing great job. Hope it passes soon.

I had horrible early start this morning as ds's back molars finally coming through. Got him back to sleep then dog went nuts,next door neighbour made tons noise and husband snoring like drain! I gave up!;-)

crispyporkbelly · 04/05/2014 06:45

Thanks mum sorry about your early start, hope today was better.

I brought up a little brioche bun and juice last night for this morning for when he woke. He slept all night, not a peep until 6am! Then woke up chatting (first time in forever) but when dp went to get him he lost it. Until I got his bun out and he are all of that, had some juice and is now playing very happily :)

I'm hoping its just the teething that is doing it, as he has molars coming through too

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mumteedum · 04/05/2014 07:13

Morning crispy. Teething is root of loads of sleep issues I'm sure. Glad you had better night and snack idea worked.

Ds had me up in the night. Can't remember much about it. Urgh! Still sat in bed with coffee now whilst ds plays. :-)

fencepost · 06/05/2014 15:44

Hi, I,ve been having loads of troubles too with waking up screaming with napping and sleeping,wondering if its teething/night terrors since my lo was born. He's now two and i think I've worked out it happens on nights when he's had nurofen... he had colic and silent reflux so always problems with his tummy... and has suffered with constant ear infections too. It's just clicked that it might be his medicine... don't know if that helps anyone....

crispyporkbelly · 06/05/2014 21:08

So you think the ibuprofen was upsetting his tummy? Possibly. I'm trying to think if there's a pattern with my ds but he's woken like that with or without been given painkiller.

I think it's more a emotional/mental thing for him, like he's still asleep or disorientated and can't snap out of it for a while. I hate it :(

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