Night Terrors? - Brockton,MA

Hi P.,
My husband and I have been dealing with our daughter's night terrors since she was 2 yrs old. She's 4 1/2 now. If your son can be comforted and stops crying when you go into him then I'm guessing it probably isn't night terrors. And you're right about the blank stare. Also with terrors, they don't remember anything in the morning. With terrors, comforting doesn't work and usually makes things worse. Night terrors typically occur between ages 2 to 7 and usually subside/stop by 7 if not before. Another tell-tale sign that these are night terrors and not nightmares or a manipulation issue is that terrors occur in the first half of the night, usually within 1 1/2 to 4 hours after going to sleep. Nightmares usually occur in the second part of the night. Also, with our daughter, along with the the crying/screaming, she also writhes and kicks. It sometimes looks like she's having a seisure. It's pretty upsetting to watch. Sometimes she'll have multiple terrors within a night too (her record is 7!)
Maybe what your son is experiencing has more to do with his age and his blossoming imagination. He's at the age when things start to scare him. The same thing happened with my second daughter. We have ended up having to leave a small lamp on in her room and she sleeps with LOTS of stuffed animals and books, but it works and she sleeps! Having been through years of night terrors, I hope this is all that is going on with your son. It is most likely a phase. Another thought...maybe have your husband go into your son at night. I know with my 2nd daughter, she wanted me. When she saw my husband come in for her, she was initially mad, but soon realized she wouldn't get me every time she cried.
I hope this helps a little and good luck.

hi P.,

My son (19 months) has just started doing this also. We just switched him to his toddler bed, and I don't know if this has anything to do with it. He goes to bed ok, and plays in the bed during the day. But the past few nights he has woken up several times, screaming (he usually wakes up once a night anyway, but not like this). Last night was the worst. My husband usually puts him to bed and comforts him at night, while I take care of our daughter, 6 months. Last night I went in when he would not stop hysterically crying. He calmed down with me, wouldn't go back to my husband, and eventually went back to sleep. But it took a while and I couldn't leave until he was COMPLETELY asleep. I was wondering if they can have nightmares at this age?
Kim

What are you watching while he is sleeping? He can still here in his sleep. Or what ever you are watching during the day he will take to bed with him.

My son was going through the same thing. We starting watching what we were watching on the TV. Kids are so supseptable to things and they don't understand what is going on.

Both my sons around 2 years old had night terrors. Try waking your child 30 min after he/she falls asleep sometimes that breaks it. Otherwise don't try to wake him/her, just be there reassuring and comforting and eventually they will outgrow them.

This doesn't sound like night terrors to me. Both my kids have gone through phases where they get night terrors, and you really cannot do anything to help them. Where he is comforted when you come in, I wonder if it's a nightmare? If he will go back to sleep rather than getting increasingly upset you might be best off letting him comfort himself since otherwise it could become a habit for you to come soothe him in the middle of the night. A night light might help if you don't have one already.

Good luck!

As already stated, night terrrors cannot be comforted. My oldest son and my niece both had night terrors, especially if they were sick. They would appear to be awake, yet terrified and if i tried to touch them, they would think I was a monster or whatever was scaring them in there mind. It's much like sleep walking and you cannot wake them, you just have to wait it out and be sure they're safe from harming themselves accidently.

Try reading a "fluffy happy ending" story before bed, and monitoring what sounds are going on. I would suggest also talking to the pediatrician.