The past 3 nights have been really rough on us, dd has developed what I've determined (through "extensive" research: aka Google) to be night terrors. About 2-3 hours after going to sleep, she wakes up screaming and crying. Well, it's not really "waking up" because she's absolutely inconsolable for those terrible 5-10 minutes (seems like forever). She has woken up with bad dreams before and I can always talk to her and calm her down. But, these past 3 nights, it's completely different! Based on the definitions I found online, I am convinced it's night terrors.
I'm going to get her to bed earlier tonight, but otherwise follow our regular bedtime routine. We don't have anything new or exciting happening at home. At daycare, her teacher quit unexpectedly (2 weeks ago), and I do think that's a source of "stress" for her. Other than that, I don't know what else to do! The first 2 nights, I thought she was just awake because of this cold/allergy/congestion thing, but last night she really scared us!
What experience do you mamas have with night terrors? Do you have any suggestions for helping her sleep better or calm down when she's like this? How often did your kid(s) have them and how long did it last? I grew up as a very serious sleep-talker (ask my mom), but nothing like this! I went back to bed last night in tears and tossed and turned all night waiting for "the next one" (which there wasn't another). Any suggestions, idea, words of wisdom or support? Thanks mamas!
Thanks so much mamas! Yes, it was pretty scary! The first 2 nights, I thought she was waking up because of her cold (coughing) so I gave her benadryl. The 3rd night, I worried that might be adding to the sleep issues, so I didn't give her any--that was actually the worst of the 3 episodes! After reading your responses & doing a little more research, I decided to get her to bed earlier and I gently woke her up about 2 hours after she went to sleep (to "break the sleep cycle"). Whatever did it, I don't know, but it worked. So, the last one was Wed night and we had a good weekend. Hopefully it's just a phase and we won't see too many more of these--it really is scary! Thanks again!
We only had one when my son was taking a medication. However, I have read here from some of the smart mommies on this site that what worked for them was to wake their child around 11:00 pm (probably when the parents were going to bed themselves) to take them to the potty or give them a few sips of water. Breaking the sleep cycle helped to break the night terror cycle. I would try that if I were you to see if it works.
Good luck!
Dawn
My daughter had them and still does occasionally. They always say to not wake them up - and we didn't for the most part except once...it was so scary and we thought she was having a seizure, etc. We could not get her to wake up, focus, etc (later I found out that you aren't supposed to wake them up). But my girlfriend came into the room and said her name and she snapped awake and then went back to sleep. I don't have any suggestions except my daughter is now five years old and doesnt' have them very often. She's a sleep talker (as was I) and wakes up a lot during the night so I think that is what prevents her from having the terrors because she doesn't get to that level of sleep.
Good luck!
The book by Dr. Ferber covers all sleep topics: sleep walking, night terrors, moving to bed from crib, stopping night feedings. He is very practical and easy to follow. I would suggest you read his chapter on night terrors.
http://www.amazon.com/Solve-Your-Childs-Sleep-Problems/dp...
A friend's daughter had them and it seems kids outgrow them. They are not aware the next day what happened, and they are not really awake. They would simply leave leave her be and after 15-20 minutes she would fall back asleep. Ear plugs for everyone else may help.
I have no suggestions for when it happens but I have a friend that dealt with this. I suggested that she detox her home. Chemicals today do so much to our system and little ones are so much more susceptible to contraindications. Stress of course, can exacerbate any problem but I am sure that most kids are exposed to way to many things that they don't need to be...(whether it's cleaning products or simply processed foods, the chemicals get into our bodies)
Sorry you're having to deal with this. I know it's especially rough on Mommy!
My two cents...
M.
you mention a cold. have you given her any medication for it? one of our boys has night terrors with robitussin, one with nyquil. they'er 18 and 20 years old now and still can't take these medications.
Another thought may be waking having to use the toilet or because of being cold. both wake our kids to inconsolable, irrational frantic states of mind.
My youngest son started having them when he was about 18 months old. His pediatrician told us he thought he would grow out of them by the time he was 5 or 6, but he's 8.5 now, and still has them. They aren't fun, but at least they are worse on the parents than the child. The child has no recollection of having a night terror. We just hold him when he's having one, and keep him from hurting himself or anyone else (he flails his arms and legs around everywhere, and we worry that he's going to hurt himself).
The only thing that seems to trigger them is being over-tired, but he gets tons of sleep, so sometimes that doesn't seem to be it, either. We thought he was finished with night terrors at one point because he went about 7 months without having one, but then he went through a really bad spell of having them again.
My niece had them, too, but she has outgrown them. My mom said that I had them, also, but it was before they knew what to call them. My oldest son had/has nightmares, but no night terrors.
((hugs)) I know it's difficult and frightening to see your child going through this.
