ARGH! Grumpy after nap
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: Toddler Times
Forum Description: Is bubs growing up and getting into everything? How do you train them to use the potty? When do you start feeding solids? Share your tips and advice here!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37482
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Topic: ARGH! Grumpy after nap
Posted By: JessDub
Subject: ARGH! Grumpy after nap
Date Posted: 15 January 2011 at 3:12pm
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This has been the longest and most challenging phase for DS - it's been going for months and months. He has one nap a day, after lunch and sleeps 1-2 hours. Every time he wakes up he is GRUMPY and tantrummy. Inconsolable screaming and crying. I hate to listen to it, it's upsetting.
Sometimes if I offer him a 'top shelf' snack i.e. chippies he'll be ok. But that's not a habit I want to encourage. Sometimes if I get him straight in the car, he'll be ok too but often grumpy at our destination, so sometimes not worth it. TV or DVD is no remedy. Nor is getting out favourite toys/play dough type distractions. I'm presently in another room, pretending to ignore him and we're 30 minutes in. I feel like a bad parent but nothing I can do will make him stop and me consoling him makes him angry - usually such a loving little boy. I also need to put space between us as it can frustrate and anger me. He will calm down soon (max time has only ever been an hour) but it's so hard to deal with. Ideas? Similar experiences? Tell me it will go away real soon?!! ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 15 January 2011 at 4:13pm
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Both of my older two went through this phase.
I'm sorry, I can't remember how long it lasted, it did end though! The only way I found to deal with it was to baby them a bit, snuggles and stories on the couch, a snack and drink ready when they woke up so they didn't have to make`decisions about it, watching a dvd together... They always found something to upset them but lots of sympathy and cuddles helped. ------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and: 
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 15 January 2011 at 4:42pm
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I've had one of those who did it from very young. I learned that she needed a cuddle, drink and something to eat (sandwich or fruit is fine though, not a special snack otherwise that's going to become a nasty habit) before anything else. I would suggest tucking him into bed with a book and hope he enjoys that as something to do when he wakes, but that's probably a long shot. Otherwise greeting him with a drink and a cuddle, I think is okay. Another thing that works at times is leaving the bedroom door shut while they sleep, then they don't call out until properly awake. -------------  |
Posted By: Kazzle
Date Posted: 15 January 2011 at 7:48pm
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Cory does this, and i find if i just sit and cuddle with him for about 10mins he just suddenly becomes all smiles and is happy again ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 15 January 2011 at 7:59pm
My big girl is the same ------------- http://lilypie.com] 
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Kazzle wrote:Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 15 January 2011 at 8:10pm
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Jake does this and also found he is hungry and/or thirsty so make a sammie after he goes down so its ready and the first thing I do when he wakes is carry him out to thre sofa and sit with him while eats his sammie and has a cup of water or milk...
We usually have a wee cuddle after and then he is off  -------------   
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Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 15 January 2011 at 9:18pm
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yes, this is my boy, he has been like it forever. I make sure i give him his bowl of afternoon tea as soon as he wakes and we sit and watch a handy manny episode and then if he's still grumpy i suggest something fun like swing or push him in his car. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: mrsbt
Date Posted: 15 January 2011 at 10:46pm
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I have found with my 2yo that if he wakes crying and I leave him a little he goes back to sleep then wakes again later without the tears... It does mean leaving him to cry a little and it stretches the sleep out in the afternoon a bit long at times but it means a happier child ... ------------- 
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Posted By: millymollymandy
Date Posted: 17 January 2011 at 12:28pm
| DD does this often. I ply her with food drinks etc and sometimes by, cuddles, watching telly or if really bad we just go for a walk. I suspect they grow out of it. |
Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 17 January 2011 at 1:08pm
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We use all of the suggestions above - but I also found that if I let him sleep too long then he gets grumpy. I limit his day sleeps to 1.5hr - 2hrs max, then I go and wake him. Any longer and he is grumpy and hard to settle at night!
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Posted By: JessDub
Date Posted: 17 January 2011 at 1:08pm
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Thanks people... good to know I'm not alone. Will be more persistent with cuddles, even when he pushes me away. -------------
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 17 January 2011 at 1:09pm
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Mine aren't as old as your wee man, but I've found that closing the door to bedrooms & letting them wake up slowly from their nap works. With the little girl I looked after I ended up saying do you need more sleep & I put her back to bed for about 20mins. And then she came out happy as. She was quiet when she was in there, not upset or anything & that is when I realised that she needed a little bit longer to wake up. Also the sitting on the couch having a quiet cuddle worked.
So basically I agree with everything above
I think once you work out what works best for him then it'll settle down?? ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |