Afternoon Waking & Terrors

Hi S...My son never had them during nap time but often at night. They can be terrifying for a parent. My husband would take our son who was between 2-3 outside when he woke us with one. This for some odd reason calmed him down. Our daughter began having them and she was scary...I mean it was as if she were possessed or something...she too appeared awake,but would thrash violently...so we tried to educate ourselves on the best way to respond. we were told to just try to keep her safe,never try to wake but just simply keep her from harms way. we were fortunate they were short lived as far has how many she had...Hers only lasted a few week. There is all sorts of info online,and you may even want to talk with your pediatrician...But mainly I think its a time thing....just try to keep them safe..Hope I helped...G.

When my daughter was about 2 yrs old (now 5) she also had night terrors, even during nap. She once had a terror while napping in the stroller at the grocery store, scared me and others around half to death! She looked and acted like she was awake, but she shook and just screamed! I would just talk to her softly and tell her I was there and she'd fall back to sleep like nothing ever happened. I talked to my Pediatrician, and she said it is completely normal, just to comfort her and let her go - in a safe way. These episodes lasted about a year. She talks in her sleep now, but doesn't have any more terrors. After that one time in the store, I avoided taking her out during nap time, for her safety and so others didn't freak out too!! Good luck to you, I know it is scary. Just take a deep breath and know that your not a bad mom, just part of being a kid - they're each different!

Yes, it is common for this to happen with any deep sleep. My daughter had the same thing. It is very scary! The only pattern that I figured out to cause these terrors was caffeine. She would have the terrors on days she didn't have caffeine but she would always have them if she was given caffineted tea or soda (thanks grandma :)) She grew out of them around 2 years old. When she had them I would distract her with a dvd or a picture or looking out the window and eventually she would snap out of it. I'm sorry you are going thru this.....

If your child is a heavy sleeper, or goes into REM quickly, this can definitely happen during his nap. Put him down for his nap, and then go check him in about 10 minutes. If you can see rapid eye movement, than he has hit REM sleep. (You may have to check back every 5 minutes or so). Mine never had night terrors (I think maybe once or twice at most, but one did sleepwalk!);, but I would just pick him up and talk quietly to him. If you have a particular song you use at bedtime, that would help too. But really, don't worry; this will pass!

i know its scarry but night terrors can happen any time you are asleep i dont know much more than that though and not to wake them keep anything that may hurt them out of reach