Our 15 month old lilttle girl has screaming fits 2-3 times per night in her sleep...when we go in to check on her she is still sound asleep. These fits are top of her lungs, shrill screams and crying, but she is never awake as she is doing it. Anyone have any thoughts on this?? thanks!!
My daughter also had night terrors at around 2 1/2 and I agree with everyone else that they are pretty scary to watch for the parent. My daughter would appear to be awake and was screaming for us to come to her room but when we did she would freak out even more if we touched her. I just wanted to tell you that you are not alone and they usually outgrow it.
This sounds like a night terror. It's very disturbing to watch, isn't it? My daughter had a few night terrors when she was 14 months old (after we moved her to a new room).
Despite the scary name, night terrors are not dangerous. Do not wake her. Just wait it out with her, making sure she doesn't hurt herself (walk down the stairs, etc.) The research I read indicated that the child is NOT dreaming -- she is in a state of "deep sleep" (which is the non-REM sleep phase) and she will have no memory of the event.
Hopefully, this won't last long. If you begin to have serious concerns, you can contact your Pediatrician. Or there is a wonderful group of Sleep Disorder Physicians at Central DuPage Hospital, affiliated with Childrens Memorial.
My dd's night terrors started around 2yr's old and at 11 she still occasionally gets one. She has never remembered an episode. We slowly figured out that for her they were caused by being overtired and off schedule. So, check your child's sleeping habits, has she dropped a nap? Have you been traveling and off schedule? Maybe try putting her to bed a few minutes earlier each day until you add 30 minutes to her sleep schedule and see if the night terrors stop. Good luck, you are not alone.
Hi K. What your son maybe experiencing is a night terror. My grandson use to have them (he's 3 1/2 now) and he would scream and cry for about a hour and he would be sleep. He didn't have them as often as your daughter. He would have them about once a month. His pediatrican told my daughter if he starts having them more frequently, he would look further into it. So you may want to take her in to be checked by the doctor.
sounds like night terrors. My first use to have those every so often. Scared the daylights out of us the first time. Her dr. said to watch what she ate close to bedtime. She said that sugar too close to bedtime can give you more vivid dreams. My kids never ate past dinner so i really never figured out what triggerd it for her. They do grow out of it pretty fast 1-2 months. It's scary but hang in there it will be over soon.
Hi K.- I'm sorry to hear that your little girl and you are going through this. It sounds like she is have night terrors. I don't have personal experience with this with my own child but my nephew did this and actually at a young age like her daughter.
My nephew grew out of this in about 6 months maybe a little longer. A friend of mine whose son now 8 also experienced night terrors. I think he was 3 years old when it started and didn't grow out of for a few years and might still have an episode here or there. I know my friend gave her son a ST. Johns homeopathic remedy (not sure exactly what). It really helped her son. I would do some research online about night terrors and also speak to your pediatrician. Don't be surprised if your pediatrician says your daughter is too young. This was the experience that my brother had with his son's pediatrician. I actually think my nephew started having night terrors before he was a year old. I hope this is helpful and that she grows out of them very quickly.
C.
They are night terrors. My dd had them a few times and they are very scary. It is important NOT to wake them. My daughter didn't like to be touched, talked to, or anything. I just sat on the sidelines and watched. They only last a few minutes and will not hurt your daughter. Anything new in your life? Sometimes this causes it. Don't be afraid to talk to her ped about it, I did and it was very comforting that we were not alone.
I hope that this suggestion might be helpful for you...
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Best wishes,
J.
Yup - sounds like Night Terrors! They are very freaky...very scary. My 6 year old used to have these and my nephew is now 8 had them even last year. It seemed that any kind of talking or touching would just cause more agitation. They say to just stay in the room quietly to make sure they don't hurt themselves since it is somewhat of a fright or flight risk.
They do eventually grow out of it.
My daughter did this frequently around 18 months and now does it only occasionally. I believe they are night terrors also. I have noticed they are more likely to happen if she is overtired and/or overheated. I will usually ask her if she needs to go potty, take her to the bathroom, and by the time she is done in the bathroom she is calmer and goes right back to sleep. She is not fully awake. I read an old wives tale that you should put a cold washcloth on their feet to stop the screaming and it does seem to work- I think because my daughter tends to have this with overheating. Good luck- it's scary but my daughter never rememebers anything about it
