Crying when waking

[c_tj82]

Hello,

My LO is almost 5 months old, and for almost every single waking (whether it be a nap, nightwaking, or morning) she cries when she wakes.  I know most babies cry when they wake, but she cries quite hysterically and it takes anywhere from 1-10 minutes to calm her down.  I don't think it's a nightmare as it happens every time.  It could be a sleep association thing, but there are many times where she wakes with her pacifier still in her mouth, and yet she still cries. 

I "think" she's a spirited baby, and so is this something that I will always have to bear with?

Thanks!

[jessmum46]

Could you post your routine for us?  Some babies do always wake crying but for many it is a sign of overtiredness.  Is she teething or any medical issues e.g. Reflux?

[c_tj82]

She takes 4 short naps during the day.  Efforts to extend have been unsuccessful.  Although she cries a lot when waking, she's fine/happy after she's calmed down, so it "seems" that the 40 minute naps are enough.  Her awake time is around 1 hr 50 min except her first of the day.  I try to feed around 3.5 hours but it's hard to work around her naps.  I know Tracey says she should be on a 4 hour routine, but since she still wakes to feed so much at night, I want to feed her more during the day.

Also, I've started her on rice cereal per my pediatrician.

And if it matters, she sleeps unswaddled, on her side, with a pacifier.

E 6:45
S 8:15-9:15
E 10
S 11-11:45
E 1:15
S 1:30-2:15
S 4-4:45
E 4:45
E 7
S 7:15-6:45, with feeds at around 11, 1, 4 and a number of other wakings in between that require being soothed to sleep


Thanks!

[creations]

Hi, I've had phases of this with my LO.  In our case it *can* be illness or teething however more often than not it is due to a UT nap.  What happens is his A time is too short for him but he falls to sleep (either down to habit or strong wind down cues etc) and then only sleeps 1 cycle.  Waking at the end of one cycle (40 or 45 min) because he is not quite tired enough to transition to the next cycle, however it doesn't mean he is fully rested, in fact he will be very angry that he is awake but often not resettle for a longer sleep.  After the initial upset, and being calmed down he will be happy and playful for his next A time, although can show tired signs earlier than would be expected due to not having had a fully restorative sleep (this often leads to short A times again because LO is tired from the short nap).

I think your LO needs a longer A time to encourage a longer sleep and a happier, more rested and peaceful wake up.  It is common for OT LOs to cry on waking but sometimes the tiredness is caused by UT naps (clear?).
Guidance A time for 5 months is 2hr to 2 hr 15.

With the feeding times.  I also had to work E around naps as my LO couldn't move to a 4hr EASY due to reflux.  It's a bit harder but certainly possible if you really need to do it.
hth

[jessmum46]

I agree

[c_tj82]

Thanks for the feedback

I know her A times are short but have been reluctant to increase them as she falls asleep so easily (within minutes) with this A time without bouncing needed. Any longer and she's quite upset and I have to bounce her to calm her.

But I will try a gradual increase and see where it takes us.

Thanks!!

[jessmum46]

Just try 5 mins at a time, keep it really low key and don't increase again for 3-4 days