Screaming After Nap

Sounds like a night terror. My daughter has them occasionally. Was he responding to you at all? When it is a night terror they go into an amnesia like state and are just inconsolable. As a mother it is heartbreaking, but they say it does no damage to them at all. They usually last between 10 and 20 minutes and once they are over the child is back to normal as if nothing had happened, because apparently they do not remember them happening.

There are only 2 things I can think of. He may be getting molars and was screaming from the agony, or it may have been a "night terror" or bad dream he had during his nap that freaked him out.

Dear R.,

It sounds like night terrors my son had them as well. They are not harmful and quite normal for some kids. What you did by holding and consoling him is basically all you can do until he comes out of it. It is not harmful and they do not even remember having them. Sometimes my son would have them in the middle of the night with his eyes completely closed and didn't even know I was there. I would just rub his back or hold him until he fell back to sleep and he would be fine.
I wouldn't worry I know how disturbing they can be. Happy New Year!!

This happens to my 15 month old, once in a while. There was one time that she was shaking, and I had to rock and settle her down. If there is no fever, sickness and no safety things, then its probably a bad dream. Keep a journal if its happening a lot and see what happens. Is it at night too? Always talk with the doctor if its a lot. Take care Alison

It's night terrors. I know they happened after his nap but that's what they are. My daughter had them too at that same age. Mostly after her naps. The good thing is, they actually don't even remember it happened. Unfortuneately there is not much you can do about them. They eventually grow out of them. Good luck!

He is dreaming and doesnt understand what its all about. Some people refer to it as night terrors, but its simply a dream..good or bad that they wake up from. There isnt much you can do about it, since his language is limited, but you can try explaining that it is like a movie in his head and not to be afraid. He might not understand, but its worth a try.

I agree with the other moms - it was probably a night terror. My son gets them every so often and he has the exact same symptoms: uncontrollable screaming and crying, pushing me away, squirming around like he's trying to get away from something, looks totally out of it. After 10-15 minutes, he's perfectly fine and usually goes right back to sleep. The first couple of night terrors he had I was completely freaked out. Now, I recognize the cry and I do my best to keep him safe from hurting himself. Otherwise, he just has to work through it and then go back to sleep.

It's pretty scary, but our kids don't have any lasting effects from it.