Why is he waking up from his nap at the same time every day CRYING?

Amy - posted on 09/02/2009 ( 6 moms have responded )

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My 15-month-old son is in an in-home daycare 5 days a week. There are 10 other children at the daycare. He has been at this daycare for about a month. He sleeps in a room with 6 other children, in a pack-n-play. The room is dark and quiet. Prior to this, he was cared for by a SAHM with two little boys of her own. He had his own room to sleep in, in a pack-n-play.



He goes down for his nap around 1:30. Sometimes he takes a morning nap, but most often, he doesn't. Around 3 o'clock every day, he wakes up crying inconsolably. Sometimes he'll go back to sleep, sometimes he won't. We follow the same routine at home, and he'll sleep for 3.5-4 hours for us at home. I know there will be a difference between napping at home and napping at daycare, but it's the crying thing that confuses me the most. He almost never wakes up in the middle of a nap crying like that. If he does, it is easy to soothe him back to sleep by covering him back up or giving him back his pacifier. Our DCP does the same thing but it's not working for her. I am at a loss for what to do. Any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated.

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6 Comments

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Melissa - posted on 09/08/2009

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typically when they wake up crying like that it's because they've not yet reached their full sleep cycle. It's very common, if they don't go through the full cycle it's a cranky baby... it could be that at home he was able to get back to sleep or never fully come out of his sleep so he was easily soothed back. DC might just be too different @ the moment for him to be put back to sleep to finish his cycle. He may just need more time to adjust to the different surroundings.

Artemis - posted on 09/08/2009

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that's too bad. i would check with the pediatrician just to see if they have any tips, because if it's somewhat common, maybe they have potential solutions.

Kelsey - posted on 09/02/2009

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This is very normal in childcare-Jeremy did the same thing! I would say give it time, the differences in the two homes-the bed at DC and at ur home, plus if he doesnt take his "blankets" and favorite items at home with him, it can make him uneasy. My greatest suggetstion would be to find a luvie toy-either from your home OR you can even go with him and pick a special sleepy toy for him to remember that he is safe and will help with the transition!

Amy - posted on 09/02/2009

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Thank you! I have been in the room, and seen it set up for naps. You are right though - there could be something at eye level that is scaring him. I do have a blanket and lovey for him that he used at his last daycare. So even though it's not EXACTLY like home, it is definitely familiar to him. Thanks for the thoughts!

Erin - posted on 09/02/2009

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My daughter is almost 8 months and she does this at 2:30am every morning. I don't understand it either. Only for me it's not easy to get her back to sleep. Maybe it has to do with dreaming?

Kimberly - posted on 09/02/2009

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First thing I would do...have you been in the room yourself? Check the environment...there might be something eye level for him that is scaring him. I took a blanket from home for my children to sleep with so they smell home while they are sleeping. It increases their comfort level. Then again...the difference I also see is a room alone vs. a room with other children...might one of the other children....LMK