What To Do When Your Baby Wakes Up Crying from Naps

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You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered why your baby wakes up crying from naps.

You might feel like you’re doing something wrong or missing a major component of baby care.

The reality is that many babies wake up crying and there are several reasons for it.

I’m going to share those with you below as well as some things that you can do to remedy the situation.

Above all, remember that babies aren’t robots. One size does not fit all and how well your baby sleeps is not a reflection on your success as a mother.

You’re doing a great job. These tips are just here to try and help make your life a little easier.

Reasons Your Baby Wakes Up Crying from Naps

Believe it or not but your baby won’t wake up crying from naps for the rest of their life.

It can be hard hearing that piercing cry over and over again and assume you’re messing everything up, but you’ll realize one day that it really was a short time in the scheme of things.

Regardless, there are some things that can be an easy fix for a baby who is forever waking up crying.

Below are some of the most common reasons babies wake up crying and what to do to fix them.

#1 They’re Young

Hear me now…it is NORMAL for newborns to wake up crying. You’re not doing anything wrong.

Often times newborns wake crying because they are hungry. They sleep a lot and their bellies are tiny.

They can go from a nice nap to wanting food right this second.

If you’re in the newborn stage then don’t despair. This too shall pass and your baby will eventually wake up cooing instead of screaming for food.

#2 Startle Reflex

This one applies to young babies as well. If your little one is under 12 weeks of age and you don’t swaddle them then it could be that the startle reflex is waking them prematurely.

If this is happening then it is very normal for them to cry. It’s never a great feeling to be startled awake.

An easy fix for this is to invest in some good swaddle blankets. You can use a traditional swaddle or go with something easier like the miracle blanket.

Many moms also highly recommend the halo sleep sack as it can transition as your baby gets older.

#3 They’re Overtired

Honestly, this reason right here is one of the most common reasons for babies to wake up crying.

If your baby went down to sleep just fine but wakes up 30-45 minutes into their nap screaming…chances are they’re overtired.

A simple thing to look at is the amount of time that you’re keeping them up.

Parents are often naive to how long babies can actually handle being awake for.

I talk about this is a lot more detail in this post where I also share appropriate wake times for babies.

An overtired baby is most commonly a cranky baby and it can be a tricky cycle to get out of.

Shorter wake times and an appropriate sleeping environment can work wonders in this instance.

#4 They’re Hungry

Both newborns and older babies can be susceptible to growth spurts which can lead to disrupted sleep.

Its one of the reasons that I enjoyed using the Babywise method because I always knew that by kids were getting full feeds before they went to sleep.

I also love that they encourage moms to feed their babies as a first port of call to troubleshoot sleep issues.

If your baby is waking hungry…feed them.

A feeding routine is a wise thing to work into your baby’s day so that you know their tummy is full when they need to nap.

My two favorite resources for working on this are Babywise and Moms on Call.

#5 Reflux

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for babies to have their sleep disrupted by reflux.

Of course, not all babies deal with this but if you’re finding that your baby wakes screaming from a nap and is showing signs of having reflux then I strongly suggest getting them seen by your doctor.

There are ways to help treat it and make your baby more comfortable.

2/3 of my babies had mild reflux and once treated, they slept really well so its wise to get them seen.

#6 Wind

Wind is a common culprit for babies waking up crying.

Even if you’ve done a great job of burping your baby during their feed sometimes there can still be a bubble of wind trapped.

I’ve found that if wind is the culprit that it usually woke my babies fairly early into the nap (within 30 minutes).

Sometimes I was able to get them settled back down by quietly lifting and winding them but other times it did disrupt the nap and we’d have to start the cycle again.

I loved using gas drops to help with this, especially because 2/3 of my babies were bottle fed.

It definitely made a difference and reduced the number of times that it happened.

#7 Personality

Something to keep in mind is that personality definitely plays into sleep habits.

Some kids just cry when waking up for longer than others.

Just as some adults are early birds while others are night owls.

All babies are different and it may just take time for your little one to wake up with a happier disposition.

Just remember that it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

#8 They Can’t Self Soothe

While this isn’t always the case, it might be for your baby.

If they don’t know how to get themselves off to sleep on their own then it is very likely that they’re waking mid-nap and then struggling to get back to sleep.

We all have sleep cycles and as adults we’re adept at transitioning from one to the next.

Babies that haven’t learned how to go to sleep independently will struggle in this area.

Related: What Sleep Training Really Is