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Original poster

Strange problem with nap time input appreciated

15 replies

jai38 · 29/11/2006 20:16

My 14 month DS has always been a good sleeper and likes his naps during the days, always goes down in his cot and gets himself to sleep.

But in the last week we have had problems with waking up from the afternoon nap regardless of how long he has he wakes up screaming and then goes straight in to what can only be described as a temper tantrum. this involves scremaing, crying pushing himself off you, if put down rolling around on the floor, if you offer him something he throws it. Best case this has lasted half an hour, worst over an hour and we just can't figure out what to do.

Any advice much apreciated

OP posts:
Original poster
jai38 · 29/11/2006 21:47

Bump please

OP posts:
bananaloaf · 29/11/2006 21:48

maybe he is over sleeping?

CantWaitForTheSnow · 29/11/2006 21:50

Room too hot and waking up thirsty? Sorry, no real idea, but

bump

Original poster
jai38 · 29/11/2006 21:51

Had not thought of that, but sometimes he comes back from nursery after no sleep all morning and then only sleeps for half an hour the wakes and screams, other days sleeps for over an hour and wakes and screams.

OP posts:
Original poster
jai38 · 29/11/2006 21:52

Don't think it can be the room because he is fine in the mornings and naps are other times, do you think it could have become a habit after being caused by teething a few times

OP posts:
madrose · 29/11/2006 21:52

occaisionally my DD 20mth does this. there is no rhyme or reason to it. she has got better - but if she does wake up like that - I do a number of things:

  1. We sit and cuddle
  2. offer a bottle of milk
  3. talk about going out coat shoes etc
  4. Play the 'where is it' game

things that will distract her from her grump. it has got better as her understanding of words improved.

It does get better - good luck

Dragonhart · 29/11/2006 21:58

My DS sometimes does this too. As you said often after a bout of teething. I usually open the curtains and start to point out the birds in the garden as he is obsessed with them. Or something to just distract him as madrose said, while trying (trying being the operative word!) to totally ignorethe tantrum.

Not sure if that helps. x

Dragonhart · 29/11/2006 21:58

He is 16 months by the way.

Original poster
jai38 · 29/11/2006 22:04

Thansk for the advice I will try that. I am used to such a happy little boy it is quite a shock to the system, maybe letting him settle in his room is the answer.

OP posts:
egypt · 29/11/2006 22:16

maybe he's not q awake yet, and you could try to leave him. my dd did this loads.. distraction is the thing if not. used to put tv on actually. realise might not be your preference.

egypt · 29/11/2006 22:17

leave him a bit longer to wake up that is...

Original poster
jai38 · 29/11/2006 22:21

True I do go running, maybe leave him to cry for a bit longer, then he might go back off or realise he has to wake up and it is not all a horrible conspiracy. TV woudl be great but he has no interest.

DH suggestion was maybe he get muscle cramps from being so still after being so active

OP posts:
egypt · 29/11/2006 23:05

it was only after her daytime sleeps that she did it too. but dont you find if you sleep in the day you feel shit when you wake up?

hotandbothered · 29/11/2006 23:21

My dd did this until I left her for a few minutes to wake up properly. Amazing the difference... she now wakes up and (usually) sings to herself until we go in. Worth a try?

naughtymummy · 30/11/2006 11:35

DS was just the same. Total nightmare still is actually if he sleeps in the day. I think they go into a too deep sleep. How long does he sleep during the day ? has he just dropped his morning nap? what time is his nap? Is it dark in his room during the day time sleep ? With DS I found the following helped:

  1. Having a sleep in multiples of 45 mins as the is length of human sleep cycle and he will be coming into light sleep after 45 mins , 1 1/2 hrs 2hrs 15 etc.
  2. Bringing nap forward so he was n't so tired for, did n't sleep so long and less grumpy when he woke. eg; from 2pm to 12 or 11 may have to have earlier bedtime- i found he slept till same time in the morning.
  3. Not using blackout during day time sleep so didn't go into such a deep sleep. At 19 or 20 months i stopped putting him to bed during the day as by the time he got up it was nearly dark and i felt like he was missing outside play time by being asleep. I just used to make sure he had an opportunity to sleep for a `while whilst out eg; long walk with buggy or in the car. I did find this helped. At 16 months I think this might not be enough sleep. Hope this can be some help also as others have said leaving him a while, something to eat or drink on waking (i think juice is good at this time as raises blood sugar quickly) and a bit of qt either tv or stories all helped a bit. DS did n't realy get over it until he quit his daytime sleep at 2.5 good luck
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