Waking up too early and pooping... I'm desperate!

[pikapoo]

DS is 11.5 months and for the past 2 months has been waking up early (between 5-6am) with poo in his nappy and very grumpy. We're not sure if it's the poo waking him up, or if he is waking up then pooing, if you see what I mean.

He is very grumpy when he wakes up, very difficult to handle and refuses to go back to bed after his nappy is dealt with. This is despite dim lighting, giving him some milk etc. He goes to bed between 7-8, usually naps twice a day or about 3 hours in total (waking up by 4pm if not earlier from his second nap).

We are at our wits' end as to what might be be causing this. It's exhausting as we are both working as well, and handling a grumpy baby for 3 hours before starting work for the day is starting to take its toll.

Any advice much appreciated.

Ok you have two issues, the first is that you're getting him up as soon as he wakes and doing drinks and entertainment. I definitely wouldn't get him up until 6.30.

The second is that his morning nap is too long and he is using this to make up for nighttime sleep and so the cycle continues.

Re getting him up when he wakes - we let him babble in the cot for about min. 15 minutes when we can, until he starts to grumpy and call for us. We tried just cuddling him quietly in the room till 6:30/7, but he usually got agitated and grumpy. Hence why we ended up in the living room looking for a distraction for him.

Re morning nap - yes I will ask the nursery to limit it.

Update -

He's been back waking up before 6am and pooping, irrespective of what he had for dinner the night before. Also it doesn't matter how late or early we put him to bed (Though I don't understand why not!)

It does mean he's grumpy in the mornings and by 7:30am we've both had enough of each other.

I think we are now accepting that this might be his 'normal' thing for whatever phase he is going through.

Cut out the fruit at teatime and give more protein!
That wil sort the poop 💩

Agree, I would think lo is hungry I'm the morning if not getting plenty of protein before bed and grumpy in the morning as he is awake well over an hour before he gets anything to eat. It's very hard when you are back to work op I totally understand where your coming from, I also have a good sleeper but it still kills me when he is up at stupid o'clock though thankfully it's not that early any more (still half 6 which is early enough for me!)
He is two now and I remember when he was between 10 and 11 months he used to wake up early like half 5 and it was pure torture. I can't remember if/what we did that fixed it but it didn't last too long and he transitioned to one nap at 12 months.