Waking from naps crying bitterly?

We have a consistant pattern that one or both girls will awaken from naptime crying big sad alligator tears. Especially Annika is inconsolable for about a 1/2 hour after nap.

I don't get it; it's not a diaper problem nor a hunger issue. It doesn't seem to matter if it was a good long nap or a short one.

In the morning when they wake up they are the most cheerful, sweet and happy little girls. Why are they so unhappy after nap time?

Anyone have some insight?

 

Mine do this after long naps! Usually if they sleep longer than 2 hours...the crying is terrible after they wake. It's funny, I was JUST telling DH yesterday that I think it's because they go into a deeper sleep and then have more of that yucky, nap hangover feeling. THat's just my guess though.

 

I can't believe you posted this! Have you been at my house this past week?????? Zack is the biggest bear lately when waking up. Crying, demanding to be held for 30 minutes, etc. etc. Just awful. I can't wait until they can talk to tell me what is wrong!!

 

Mine will do this sometimes, but it is more when they wake up and are still tired. A sippy of juice or milk RIGHT away helps out a little here.

 

I was going to say a nap hangover too. One of my girls wakes up like that from her naps all the time. My oldest son did that too. He would be inconsolable for about 30 minutes. The only thing that calms them down is being held. Eventually they grow out of it, I think when they stop napping! Good luck!

 

I have one like that too...no matter if it is short or long. Usually a snuggle, some sympathy, and some food(not junk but juice or a snack) usually helps. I would say 5/7 days she is like that....and only 50% of the time can I 'get' her out of it before 30 minutes are up.

KC

 

My girls do this sometimes too, mostly its McKenna. DH and I have a theory that its like when you doze off on the couch or at the computer and you wake up suddenly, all disoriented and don't even know where you are. That's a creepy feeling and I think it overwhelms our sensitive little Micky. She'll cling to me like a little monkey squeezing with her arms and legs putting her head on my shoulder for the requisite 30 minutes with giant tears puddled on her cheeks. Sometimes, if I leave a bottle with about 2 or 3 oz of water on the ledge by their beds (so happy to have that ledge now!) they drink that as soon as they wake up and calm themselves down. Then wake up time can be fun for all again.

 

My DS does this after naps too. My DD doesn't. I wish mine would call for mommy; however, they tend to scream and cry if I don't get right to them when they are ready to get out of their cribs.

 

Oh wait...did I write this post? I'm pretty sure I've written a few about this over the past couple of years. I wish I could tell you some magic secret, but I can't Mine do the same thing and have for pretty much as long as I can remember. I just want to send hugs your way. I don't know about you, but I'm so over this.

 

Thanks, all. Good to know we aren't the only ones. It's so strange, but obviously common. I haven't tried the snack thing; today I will (assuming they take a nap )

 

Wow, I was just wondering this today and here are some answers. Thanks. I like the term "nap hangover." Mine seem to do it more when they have slept longer. Interesting??

 

My dd does this sometimes, too. What works best for us is if I take her out of the crib, change her diaper or whatever, just do something, and then put her back in the crib with her paci, she'll calm down in the shortest amount of time. Then I can get her out of her crib after a few more minutes and she's ready to go. She doesn't go back to sleep or anything, just collects herself. She hates to be held when she's having one of these fits, too. I also can't wake her up before she's ready.

 

Mine often do this too! I know that sometimes when I wake up from a nap I feel lousy for a while after, and it takes some time to wake up. We always nurse right after naps, and that fixes up their mood pretty well. (Sometimes I tell them, "Time for your baby Prozac!" :lol: )

 

Same in my house too! Glad to see all the responses! Makes me feel better!