Seeking Advise on Night Terrors

My daughter went through similar episodes. It occured after she went to sleep. I would go into her room and hold her and repeat "mommy's here, it's okay, let's lay down and go to sleep". Sometimes I would lay down next to her. It usually didn't take long (5 to 15 minutes) and she would go back to sleep. Also, it would rarely happen more than once per night and it did not happen every night. She eventually grew out of it, but ocassionally will sleep walk.

Your case sounds much more serious than this. I would recommend talking with your doctor.

D.,
My daughter has night terrors for almost a year starting at age 1. They are awful things to experience, and horrible as a mother to stand by and watch. The thing is, when a child has no recollection that anythign happened in the night. It's ok to go in and sooth during a night terror, hold them close and tell them you are there. And as soon as they are settled, lay them back down. I also found that my daughter would have night terrors more often if she had been over stimulated during the previous day. So if we were out in a busy place w/ a lot of people, or loud music anything with a lot of stimulation. I think it had to do with her brain just not being able to process that much stimuli all at once. So i tried to keep the over stimulation to a minimum and that helped alot. She eventually just grew out of them, though still gets them occasionally if there is a lot going on in any given day.

D. ,

I'm so sorry that you're going through that! My younger daughter also had night terrors.. eyes wide open, screaming for me, sweating, thrashing, no idea I was there.. and then just as suddenly as it started, it was over. For her, at least. It was horrible for me...

True night terrors are a sleep disorder.. Something about beta vs: delta sleep.. I don't remember.. BUT.. find a pediatric neurologist who has some experience with sleep disorders. My daughter wasn't diagnosed till she was nine, because my pediatrician was so laid back.

The terrors did stop after a fairy short time.. but she has always had sleep problems, bed wetting, sleep walking, etc.

Mild medication, changes in her diet, and a specialized bedtime routine helped my daughter after she was diagnosed.. But because I delayed, there was years of troubled sleep proceeding the diagnosis for both of us.

Best of luck,

Val

My youngest had night terrors. The number 1 cause for his night terrors was being overtired. For instance, if he missed a nap or went to bed especially late, you could set your watch to the fact that within an hour or 2 of him falling asleep he'd be screaming flailing & wailing and unable to console.

I believe your best solution would be to keep her on a consistant sleep schedule and make absolutely sure that she is receiving the recommended 12 hours of shut-eye.

Also, I know how frightening and upsetting this can be especially since you cannot wake them up or console them. I always took my son into my bed and cuddled him as best I could until he stopped and fell asleep.

Good luck. And remember, prevention is the best medicine.

A.

if its prolonged and worsening its NOT a night terror

talk to a doctor

m