3 Year Old Waking up at Night

I don't remember my oldest son doing this, but my daughter and younger son do. I watched a program this morning talking about "growing pains." I always thought this was something my mom made up or an old wives tale, but evidently they are real! They occur often between the ages of 3-5 and again between 8-10. Who knew?! They said it is basically muscle aches from all the activity that kids do througout the day. The remedy was to just give them a muscle rub to ease them back to sleep.

That sounds like she's having night terrors. They don't fully wake up and have no recollection of waking in the night, upset and crying. I'd speak with her pediatrician about it and see if there are any tactics you can try to help soothe her.

I agree with Kate. Sounds like night terrors to me as well. A lot of times, kids just grow out of them. If she remembered being upset in the morning, you could be sure it was a nightmare but since she remembers nothing, it sounds more like night terrors. It's a lot harder on the parents than it is on the kids. (particularly since they have no idea it happens to begin with!) If you continue to worry, it gets a lot worse or never seems to get better, you can always call your doctor. I don't think there's a lot they can do for it however. Good luck. Here's to hoping for a full night of sleep for both of you soon.
J.

She's having night terrors. My daughter went through the same thing. If you google it you'll find a lot of information. My daughter would get more upset if I tried to comfort her. It was very upsetting. She finally grew out of it. There's nothing you can do, but sit next to her. If you touch her it can make it worse so I would just sit next to her and don't say anything. If she needs comforting, she'll let you know, but most likely she'll just suddenly stop and go back to sleep. There's nothing you can do but wait for her to out grow it.

I agree with all the other ladies, it sounds like night terrors, my daughter has the same thing it just happens every once in a great while, but i do think it's due to just being overly tired and their mind has a hard time resting and like the others said all you can do is sit or lay down next to them and just wait till it ends, i've tryed to console my daughter and she tells me get away and kicks and screams, but again she's half asleep and doesn't know what's going on! I don't think it's anything serious and nothing to worry about, at first i was thinking OMG somebody did something to her and she's having nightmares about it, because it seemed to happen after she would come home from her dad's house for the weekend and I always thought the worst. But I was just over analyzing it and now if it happens i just try and stay with her till it's over and she usually goes to bed through the rest of the night! Good luck!

It sounds like night terrors. My friend's daughter does the same thing. Did you or her father have night terrors as a kid? Just a though. Good luck!!

My daughter who is almost five has been doing this for the last 3 or so months. I chalk it up to the night terrors....I feel bad because she is almost angry when I go in to try and console her. It was just about every night for awhile and it is now simmering down. She might do it 2 or 3 times a week now. It is probably just a phase that will pass in time! Since it is slowing down, I am not as concerned and especially after hearing about the night terrors and what those are like!