Hi moms!
My 20 month old son is a great sleeper. He goes to bed around 7:30 and usually never stirs until 8am. In the past month or so, he has been waking up 2-3 times per week anywhere from 1-3am screaming like a banshee! We have no idea what is wrong but he is inconsolable and won't calm down until we take him out of his room and downstairs. Could it be nightmares? Any advice would be great!
Thanks!!!
A.
I would first check with the doc to make sure he isn't sick or have an ear infection...If that's not the problem, then try Hyland's Calms Forte for kids. This product worked great on our 4yr old who was having horrible nightmares. My 27mo has also used it a few times when extra hyper at bedtime. It's an all natural product, but I think Walgreen's carries it. I personally bought it at Whole Foods.
It could be night terrors.
we just went through this and it was an ear infection. go figure!
It could be nightmares, but I would wager that it is more likely night terrors. You child seems awake, but doesn't respond to the usual soothers. They usually occur within a few hours of going to sleep--they occur in a lighter stage of sleep than dreams and nightmares. My daughter would have to be taken outside to get get calmed down.
He is at a classic age for developing night terrors. My daughter has had bouts of them on and off since just before she turned two. I have figured out most of her triggers--changes in schedule/routine (like when we changed her daycare); some medications (singulair, zyrtec, some cough medicines); and ear infections.
One of the best things you can do is keep a journal of the times when he is waking. Sometimes you will notice a very distinct pattern...waking him just a bit before you expect one can help avert the episode.
Once she is in an episode, it works best for us to let it pass without trying to wake her.
Is something waking him up? I couldn't figure out why my little boy was waking up and realized it was the furnace turning on that was doing it. I guess he's a light sleeper. We started playing the radio really softly and it seemed to help.
