Night Terror - Weimar,TX

i personally think its a stage. My son who is 2.5 at the timme about 1 year ago used to do this. He would scream to see who would come comfort him in the night. it was also because he didnt like being alone in his own bed.

good luck, i think you should just guive her some time.

My son is scare every time he goes to sleep. He comes up with a variety of stories from ghosts to monsters and everything in between.

I told him that Arcangel Michael is a protector and that he can call on him every time he is afraid. Every night before going to sleep we pray to the Angels and make a special call on Arcangel Michael... we call on him three times (which seems to make a difference for my son). We say.

Arcangel Michael thank you for coming tonight to give me sweet dreams,
Arcangel Michael thank you for coming tonight to guide me, take care of me and protect me,
Arcangel Michael thank you for helping me fall sleep and feel secure.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.... Amen.

It really has helped him sleep and has made a huge difference. He now sleeps the full night at his bedroom and even if he wakes up at night, we call on Arcangel Michael and he goes back to his room feeling very reasured of being taken care of.

This is what has worked for me. Plus I do believe very much in Angels, love them and think they do help me if I ask.

I've had night terrors since childhood and my kids (now 5 & 7) have had them for a time as well...for me and my kids they tend to happen around times of transition or change. Both kids have them when they are going through growth spurts typically. I think it's worth mentioning to the pediatrician but I would not be terribly worried about it, other than how exhausted his parents must be! They are certainly not alone in that. My husband and I take turns getting the kids through their terrors. Oh, and night terrors are definitely NOT the same as nightmares! Don't let anyone tell you that they are. Best of luck to you all.

My son had night terrors, of course we didn't know that at first. He would wake, screaming, and he was inconsolable. He even acted as if he were afraid of us. Here is what we learned, in the trenches. First, make certain that there is a bed time routine firmly in place. I can not stress this enough. This baby needs to get lots of sleep, especially if sleep is going to be disturbed. Limit drinks and food before bed as well. I suggest warm bath, dry hair, maybe a little lotion massage, comfortable pajamas, lots of cuddling and then down by 8pm. When she wakes, do not touch her unless she seems to want it, do not pick her up. She may not know her family or even be awake. Keep the lights out, keep voices low and just guard her through the night terror to be certain she does not harm herself. Mom and Dad should take turns on different nights so everyone can get a little more sleep. If she does wake up you can pat her back and reassure her, but most kids just settle back down eventually and go back to sleep. They don't know it is happening to them and have no memory of it in the morning. The key here is that Mom and Dad stay calm. It is so stressful to see your child so out of control and not be able to help, but the best thing they can do is just let it happen. Once my son was about four he started having them less and less until they stopped altogether. I know the idea of this going on for years is scary, but a night time system will help the parents get more sleep and getting more information will help everyone stay calm. If they are really worried they could ask their pediatrician about it too, that's always a good way to go. I hope this was more helpful than scary, and good luck with your little one!

hello
it can be a phase but not in the traditional sense of the word... like for example, babies crying out in the middle of the night.. that is a phase that eventually passes (for the most part) however, this might be a phase in the sense that perhaps the child's routine has changed or even diet and with that, it's brought about the night terrors? I have had them for years.... including when I was younger.. That which brought them about for me (and still do) is either when I am super tired and VERY stressed... then my mind takes over.. and true, i've been told numerous times that it appears I am WIDE awake, yet although I might hear what you are saying, I am really still sleeping... (like a sleep-walker) which I also did as a kid..
My best suggestion as to how to help your little one would be.. monitor her diet (try and keep stimulant type things to a minimum) perhaps even keep a journal of what is given to her and see IF in fact certain foods affect her. Additionally, a peaceful atmosphere is key... Dim the light about 1 hour to 1/2 before bedtime, this way she can become VERY relaxed.. keep NOISE (including T.V.) to a minimum... maybe even hold her while she begins to doze. In my opinion, kids are very sensitive to their surroundings .. even if they don't appear to be. Now in my home , there was a lot of violence so I am pretty sure that caused me many of the night terrors.. but as an adult. I live in a calm , loving households, but anytime I am stressed or have something heavy on my mind, about 50% of the time... I will have a night terror and IF not that, some weird , wild dream and I will toss and turn. I have learned to cope by trying to keep really relaxed before bed.. this means.. no watching the news or anything violent on the tube.... just monitor the little one and see IF during the day she seems stressed. thing is, with kids. they can't verbalize things as well, so things can come out in their dreams...
best of luck :)

Denise and A.L. offer good advice below. My son started his at age 3. At first we were terrified but then did some research and now understand it. Bedtime routine is key - and avoid late night activities - dinner by 6pm etc. He has had 4 so far and each time has been when there was an exciting day and he didn't go to bed on time (birthday parties, family weddings etc). I cannot handle watching him go through it so we discovered going "potty" brings him out of it quickly. When I hear it start I go upstairs and calmly tell him he needs to go potty and then I lead him (calmly) to the bathroom - once he goes potty he wakes up instantly and doesn't remember the night terror - I just tell him he called for me to help him go potty and that's what he remembers. Once we figured this out they have definitely shortened in duration from 4-5 minutes to now less than 30 seconds (thankfully). The other thing I read and found to be true is that these tend to occur during initial REM sleep (first 45 minutes to an hour after they fall asleep) and if you can track them over several nights, try waking your child 15 minutes before they typically happen - that usually breaks the REM cycle and they have a peaceful night's rest. Best of luck.

our pedi warned us about these night terrors after they turn one. most all kids get them.

I come from a long line of dreamers, I'm sorry, it sounds traumatic for all of you!

I just want to comment on the post that suggested that night terrors happen in REM sleep and to prevent REM sleep- REM sleep is necessary and if you never have REM sleep, you will be very sick physically and psychologically. It's much better to just help the child during a dream, then to be preventative in that manner.

I am 36 years old, and have had night terrors all of my life. (My poor parents, husband, and kids!) It might be a stage for your granddaughter, and it might not. After a lot of tests, psychiatrists, etc... the most simple explantation is "sensitive people are wired differently".
I do NOT recommend any type of medications at all. The most effective method is a peaceful routine. Eat dinner early. Do NOT let her watch TV after 6pm. The chaotic lights/colors/sounds will follow her into her dreams. Play classical music softly in the background for about an hour before bed. (Kenny G's saxophone recordings are great too!) Give her a soothing warm bath. About 30 minutes before bed, turn off all bright lights and use soft lamps and/or candles. Read her a sweet, uplifting story right before bed. No monsters, etc. Even funny ones can trigger a bad dream. As an adult, I read a few "Chicken Soup for the Soul" short stories before bed, so that I will go to bed with "warm fuzzy feelings."
All of this sounds so silly, but believe me, it works!!
And try this to console her... find out what is her favorite song, or make a recording of her mom softly singing lullabies. Find her favorite blanket, or at least a REALLY soft one, and keep it put on a shelf for those times. When she wakes up, wrap her in the soft blanket, and play the soft recording of the song. It will take a few minutes, but it will calm her down. And with the recording... anyone can calm her down... even dad, grandma, etc...

Hope this helps!!!

Night terrors are frustrating to deal with. The good news is that it is just a phase and the kids don't remember it in the morning. Yes, they are exhausted- My older son (10 now) had them somewhere around 2 years old and my daughter (now 2) is going through it. My son would not want to get out of his bed and would crawl all the way in the back corner screaming, "no no" at the top of his lungs. My daughter screams, "I want my mommy" over and over again while she is reaching for the door. I have to leave the room with her and just wait until she calms down before I can take her back to her room. The whole episode lasts maybe 10 min but it makes for one tired mommy! I am glad it is just a stage. This too shall pass!