14 mth screams / cries after naps

[Rubena]

For a few weeks now my 14 mth old has a morning nap - fine and then an afternoon nap but wakes up really grumpy and cries and or screams or is just really really upset for about 30 mins after the afternoon nap. He's always fine after the morning nap, and It's almost as if he's still tired although he will do this after an hour and a half nap. He will calm down if I pick him up or distract him with baby tv or the laptop but will start up again about 5 mins later. Could he be just still a little tired or not great at waking up? He's not thirsty, hungry and nappy is fine but will still be upset. He always wakes up by himself as well.

Probably not great at waking up. Ds2 (now 4) has always been like this and even though he doesn't have a nap anymore he might sometimes fall asleep on the sofa after a particularly busy morning. He will almost always wake up grotty, even though I make sure he has a blanket and lots of pecae and quiet. Ds1 on the other hand never did this.

My 19mo DS does the same, it started about 1 month ago. Not every time he wakes from a nap, and never in the morning. TBH I'm not too worried and figure it will pass - although sometimes it is extremely upsetting for me to see him so worked up. I just make sure he's not hungry/thirsty/dirty and then try not to get too het up myself while he's at full volume - I'll cuddle him but basically he has to come out of it himself. I'm a bit of a grump myseslf when I wake up so hey - here's hoping it passes when he drops his nap....

thanks pixie and Indigo. Yes I don't think it's anything to worry about really, and he does always sound and look like he just doesn't like to wake up after a nap and perhaps takes awhile to come out of his grump himself. It can be really frustrating, but I hope it passes soon! I'm thinking of trying him on one midday nap instead to see if that makes a difference if the nap might be slightly longer.

my 23mth old does this as well and has done on and off for a while, it depends on how long he sleeps for, but even if he has a good two hour nap he can still wake grumpy.

i tend to placate him with cuddles, his fave blanket, baby tv or maybe a snack, tho more often than not he just throws that back at me.

i figure its just a phase.

Hi Rubena. DD2 often is like that in her afternoon nap. My other two were like that as they got older. They still needed the nap, but I think it made them cross and grumpy when they work up (kind of like what I feel like on the rare occasion I get a daytime sleep ). I wouldn't worry too much - although it can be hard to listen to at that time of the day!

My son aged 13 months is often like this after his afternoon nap. I have been known to lay him back down again sometimes and he goes back to sleep again within a few minutes (only if really distraught).

I do think my boy just feels groggy still and tired. I offer a snack often to placate him and CBeebies whilst I try and get dinner going nice and early so my toddler can eat, as my 2 kids are quite close together.

My DD always wakes happy and chatty, whereas my son can wake grumpy, more often than not. Maybe it's just the differing personalities of my kids though...

HTH

My dd was exactly the same after her afternoon nap- I used to do the same as you- drink and snack in front of tv until she was calm. I just figured she went into a deep sleep and didn't like waking up... she always did this until she dropped the nap altogether at around 3 years old. I have to say- she stlll loves her sleep and if she falls asleep in the car she is grumpy for ages when she wakes up.

Thanks ladies, (hello Turnip!) yes it would explain it as he has always been a good sleeper and has slept through 7-7 from about 6 months. If he's anything like his father it will continue so I guess it's a small price to pay for a good nights sleep I will be grateful and just hope that number 2 due in a few months will not be the opposite!
I do think he is getting ready to drop a nap but I think he may be in that in between stage where 2 is too many but 1 is not enough
But thanks again it's good to know i'm not alone ith the after nap grumpoff!