😭 Waking up unhappy 😭
Sometimes it’s important to wake your baby to ensure they are fed at the right time, to preserve future naps so they aren’t going to bed overtired or, in my case, I have to collect my other children from school!
Some babies wake up happily from naps but some wake up very upset and sometimes inconsolable 😭
Why does this happen?
⏰ Timing – they’ve been woken by you. Try waking them gradually. Opening the curtains slowly and gently rousing them.
🍼 They’re hungry – blood sugar levels can drop when babies sleep and therefore offering a feed or some snacks when they wake up can help.
🫂 They want more sleep – If they are supported to sleep, they may be waking between sleep cycles and want more sleep but don’t know how to get to sleep independently.
😱 Confusion – if they fell asleep feeding or being rocked but then wake up in a cot, they can wake up confused.
🥳 Playtime – they don’t want to sleep anymore and just want to play. This is acceptable during the daytime but not at 2am 😂
🤦🏽♀️Normal – for many children, waking up from their daytime naps unhappily is normal and something they will either just grow out of or stop when they stop napping!
Out of my 4 boys, my eldest ALWAYS woke up unhappily from naps. He was fine once I handed him a snack though 😂 My second son would wake up singing which was lovely during the day but not necessarily at 6am 😂 My third son was a mixed bag, depending on his mood. This has carried on into toddlerhood 🤦🏽♀️ My fourth does wake up happily! So as you can see, a real mixed bag even between siblings!
If your little one is struggling with their naps and crying a lot, please reach out and seek support. I am here to help you ❤️
