Desperate for Nap Advise for 19-Month-Old

Elijah sleeps great at night--down at 8:00 and up around 6:30--he wakes up happy and babbling.  He went to one nap a day at 12 months and they've been about 2-2 1/2 hours long.  Starting a week-and-a-half ago, he wakes up from his nap after 30-45 minutes screaming and crying.  I've tried comforting him in his crib, rocking him and putting him back in his crib, rocking him to see if he'll fall back to sleep in my arms, letting him cry (which broke my heart ), putting him down a little sooner then a little later--but nothing has worked.

He's tired when he goes down and when he wakes up and I know he still needs that nap. 

Any idea about what could be going on?  Any suggestions to try?  Is it just a phase?

Sounds like it could possibly be that he's having some bad dreams. If he goes down ok, yet wakes up crying and screaming it sounds like it's not the initial going to sleep, it's staying asleep he's having problems with. I hope it is a phase and will pass soon.

That could be--thanks!.

Try a 30 minute walk before nap if weather is good where you are. Something about the sun and activity gets Emma back into her routine. Otherwise I think it is just a phase. Emma has had these at night and at nap time...never lasting more than a week or so. Good luck. Shari

We'll try that before nap time rather than after--thanks!