The issue:
Majorly upset and very hard to console when he wakes up. Tonight, (wednesday) he got upset as soon as he finished nursing. He almost fell asleep when I put him into his crib. His lids were so heavy. Maybe he resisted it though? Half craved sleep, Half resisted it? After a few minutes he became Very upset. Nothing seemed to console him until I eventually carried him out of his room. That got his attention and with the help of a ceiling fan, he settled down and seemed basically normal after about 5 minutes. I put him into his carseat and drove him to sleep. He fell asleep quickly. I don't know what I'm going to do when he wakes up later tonight, which I expect.
Today - 2 lengthy naps at home, no problems. Woke up calm and happy.
Last night, (Tues), NW about 2 hrs. after bed. Didn't get back to sleep for over 2 hrs. NW 5 hrs later. When the normal things didn't work, I took him to the couch because I was exhausted. He remained fairly upset. Wanted to sleep sitting up leaning on the couch, or draped all over me, especially with his cheek on mine. Had a hard time making either of these work! Eventually fell asleep after maybe an hour.
Monday night - several wake ups, fairly upset. it's blurry now, though. i think one was early evening? another early morning?
When he's upset, he doesn't want his pacifier. he occasionally bites his hand or crib. he pulls at his shirt and pants/diaper, he walks around with his back to me. he stands, bends his legs, throws his head back, he only sometimes wants to be picked up, and this does not immediately calm him. he eventually takes the pacifier. he sometimes points at the door (this was new last night and tonight). if i've picked him up and walked somewhere, he gets upset when I approach the crib and/or the glider next to it.
Last night, he devoured water when I offered it to him, and this and calmed down. But, he had apparently rejected it twice with dad earlier during the fit.
Background:
* trend for 1+ weeks toward NW more often and sounding more more upset than expected when they happened. 1 time was walking around the crib in a vary agitated fashion. I told him "put your pacifier in and lie down"..and he did, and it was fine. That was odd. It isn't normal to need to tell him go get his pacifier.
* Over the weekend his upset seemed so intense that I actually picked him up once. He calmed after about 5 minutes. Couldn't settle in my arms. Not happy to be put back into his crib. I rested my hand on his back to calm him down. This also isn't normal.
* fever since Monday morning. In retrospect, probably started feeling ill on Friday afternoon (appetite was down, fell asleep almost instantly)
*teething - either the canines or the incisors up top are about to break through. He's definitely been wanting to chew on things.
* separation anxiety seems to be setting in again.
* he's a toddler. his frustration tolerance has been decreasing and his volume has been increasing. without context, i have a bit more trouble reading him now than I used to.
What could be the cause??
* fever and discomfort? - except that the fever seems to be gone now and the problem persists. also, he eventually calms down.
*teething? - except that he'd already been given tylenol for the fever.
* separation anxiety? - except that he isn't consoled by having me in the room or by being in my arms.
* fear of sleeping for some reason? only when it's dark? once he gets upset he can't calm down to realize he's okay-
i have no idea what he might be afraid of, or if this is at all plausible?
Thanks for any ideas!!!
