Post nap time HELL

[helloitsme4321]

Hello

My son turned 2 in Feb. He has one nap a day, from 1.30/2pm-4pm.

Over the last 2/3 months, he wakes up instantly really upset. (A little context, we have to wake him up most of time time).

He cries non stop, won't let us put him down etc. When he finally comes round a bit, which takes up to an hour, the smallest thing will throw him into a rage.

I'm wondering if he should just cut his nap out now. But just don't know. Any advice welcome.

Xx

What is the rest of his routine?

Is he usually quite tired by nap time?

@altlife

What is the rest of his routine?

Is he usually quite tired by nap time?

His bedtime is 7.30/8pm. Mostly sleeps through. Up by 7/7.30am usually. Sometimes later.

Yes, by late lunch (from 12/1) he's getting a bit unreasonable and grouchy. When we say, shall we have a nap, he runs to the stairs. Never fuses. Put him in bed awake and he's asleep in minutes.

Mine used to wake up from naps in a foul mood at that age. I used to just put them on the sofa, make sure the light was dim, leave a drink and biscuit on a table next to them and put the TV on and let the come round very slowly as the slightest thing would make them angry until they'd been awake for about half an hour. I also didn't engage with them at all and would just potter round and leave them be. On the rare occasion I have had a daytime nap (can't normally sleep in the day but say I'd been travelling at night) I feel horrendous when I wake up so I know how it feels and would leave them be.

My DD was like this and I read somewhere (might have been on here) that it can be caused by a dip in blood sugar and give them a snack and drink the minute they wake up and it’ll improve their mood. I don’t know if the blood sugar bit is true but it definitely worked with my DD; I’d have a snack ready; something nice and a drink and she’d perk up. Sometimes I had to encourage her to have it as she’d be in such a strop but it worked.

His bedtime is 7.30/8pm. Mostly sleeps through. Up by 7/7.30am usually. Sometimes later.

Yes, by late lunch (from 12/1) he's getting a bit unreasonable and grouchy. When we say, shall we have a nap, he runs to the stairs. Never fuses. Put him in bed awake and he's asleep in minutes.

There is no indication there that the lunchtime nap needs cutting or dropping (many toddlers are still napping past their 4th Birthday and sleeping well st night too).

I'd actually be inclined to say maybe put him down to nap earlier. Try a 12.30pm nap time (12pm lunch).

I would do his nap earlier

I would bring his nap forward, that might help with the instant waking. I always find that when my DS has gone to bed too late he wakes earlier. They need to be asleep before they get overtired if that makes sense.

Does he get grumpy when you wake him? Could you let him wake up on his own when he's good and ready?

If he's grumpy every single time he wakes, PP's advice is good. Potter around so he knows you're there but leave him to fully wake up on his own and let his mood settle