Please Help - Is This Normal? Worried :(

[Nela]

I'm sat here right now crying and wondering if something could be wrong.

I know that overly tired kids can get real cranky but I've never seen anything like this... We had an appointment this morning for him which was during his nap time (okay, noted to try and schedule better) so he didn't get to sleep. After that, we headed home which was 10 mins away and he dozed off in the car. However, since we were so close, he woke. My OH headed to work and I took my LO to the couch so he could sleep in my arms as we always do. However, by now, he was way overly tired and just had a meltdown. But I do mean meltdown. He was doing this enraged inner screaming til he was nearly purple in the face, pinching me real hard, slapping me, throwing himself back hard, pulling his own hair, and he just wouldn't snap out of it. He kept rolling his eyes back and wouldn't make eye contact with me. This went on for nearly an hour and I literally had to pin him down so he wouldn't hurt himself, and that is what scares me. He's sleeping now but in a very anxious way, sharp breaths and startling as he sleeps and I'm just sobbing after having seen him get that frantic and inconsolable. It's not the first time it happens but it's definitely worse when tired. It's like a switch goes off and he's not even really here anymore, his eyes were different and I just couldn't calm him down. It really freaked me out.

Is this normal??? If so, how in the world do you handle it? I tried everything I could think of to calm him and nothing was working

He's normal and happy in every other way, growing well, hitting milestones, very strong physically, etc. I have to admit though, this scares me. I have lots of experience with kids and I have experienced loads of tantrums but I don't recall experiencing this kind of thing with a wee baby. Any advice?

 

[lhancock90]

Yes this is normal, that doesn't mean it'll happen every day. However it is completely normal. Its just an overtired stressed little baby thats all.

Hes beautiful btw! What a handsome little boy.
xx

 

[Nela]

Thanks

Really scared me how much he was lashing out as us both. Thought he'd hurt himself or forget to breathe. Could have used another set of hands to hold him down! I was scared I was holding him too tight but I was scared he'd get hurt if I didn't.

Ugh, that was no fun! Good to know that it's nothing 'odd' though, I thought the severity might be a problem. Thank you for replying And thank you for the comment, I'll let him know when he wakes

 

[kirstybumx3]

Oh Hun I hope you are feeling better now. It's awful to see them like that isn't it. Totally normal though if he was very overtired. Sounds like you did the right thing x

 

[chulie]

I'm so sorry Hun. It does sorta sound normal especially with lack of sleep. My dd is time bomb ticking if she doesn't nap and the tiniest thing could set her into epic meltdown mode over anything. The type of sleep he had..the short sobbing breaths are absolutely normal considering the meltdown right before he fell asleep.....we live and learn. Like when I first gave dd her first bath at home from the hospital....I fed her then bathed her...well talk about terrible idea! She barfed everywhere because the jostling from the bath.....lesson learned. Hahaha. So like you said...just try and schedual around his naps a bit and you'll be fine

 

[Nela]

Thanks everyone

Glad to hear it's 'normal' I was really concerned about how much he was lashing out. I didn't know they could do that so young. Oof, what a day it's been! Thank you all so much for reassuring me

 

[MumToEva]

When either of my 2 got like that, I found walking them around in carrier or sling really helped. I used a moby wrap when they were little and a beco Gemini when they were a bit bigger. They would generally get a little worse initially when put in it, but within 10 minutes they would be asleep.

 

[Amygdala]

Yep, normal. It usually helps to (lovingly) restrain them as being overtired makes them flail their arms and kick, which stops them from settling. Best thing is to avoid over tiredness of course but if this happens again (and I'm sorry to say it probably will) just hold him firmly but gently, holding his arms to his side or over his eyes (my LO likes that) and shush him or play white noise relatively loudly. Should snap him out of it pretty soon. A Moby is great if you have one, as he's naturally restrained in it but close to you, plus you can walk/bounce to help him settle. Once he's calmed a little bit, try gently kissing his forehead, right between his eyes. That usually makes my LO drop off if she's that exhausted.

 

[Peggy O]

Lily had a meltdown today after missing her morning nap. She was happily playing (in a tired sort of way) till I SNEEZED. Apparently that was really upsetting. She started wailing, arching her back, throwing herself around and screaming. These things happen when they are very tired.