Frightening tantrums when woken!

[Featherbag]

My DS, 1.11, has always been a happy sweet-natured little boy, which is good as he's at the very top of the charts for weight and height and so very strong! Recently (last few weeks) he's started throwing the most spectacular tantrums, usually if woken from a nap before he's ready to wake. Today's has just lasted 45 minutes, screaming like he's being tortured, rolling on the floor, throwing things, etc. I know it's normal for his age, that he'll grow out of it, etc. but does anyone have any wise words to help me and DH cope? I'm 6 months pregnant with SPD and sacroiliac dysfunction, and can't physically control him so just try and make his environment safe and wait it out, but it's so distressing.

Does anything help? TV? Leaving him in his cot? DD hates to be woken but will sometimes stay in her cot to come round. She calls us when she wants us.

Then when he calms a snack and drink?

My ds does this although not quite as bad. Crying usualky lasts about 10 mins. He's ever such a happy chap otherwise, everyone always comments how happy he is! He just seems to hate being woken or waking before he's ready. He used to do it in the morning if he woke earlier than usual too. I get round it by not waking him. I let him wake of his own accord, even if I really think he's slept too long or late. I can usually get him out of it after about ten minutes but he's never in a great mood afterwards for the rest of the day so I now just let him sleep when he wants. :-)

Nothing helps, anything offered is thrown, attempts at cuddles are met with shouts of NO and hitting, distractions are either ignored or make him more furious! I never wake him, but for example today DH went upstairs to the loo and the stair creaked, which woke DS. That was all it took! When he gets proper sleep he's a little angel, but when he doesn't he won't eat, so gets grumpier because he's hungry, then doesn't sleep well at night because he's hungry, which makes him grumpy the next day, which makes him more likely to refuse food... it's a vicious circle, and it's not every day but when it does happen I could cry!