Nightmares? - Lombard,IL

This is quite a scary thing. My daughter had screaming fits/nightmares/night terrors around the same age. It only lasted a few weeks though. She would wake up screaming inconsolably - almost as though she was not awake and did not know what was happening. I absolutely think it had NOTHING to do with teething. How could it? She was teething before these happened and after they happened so what would make these days so different? I called the Erikson Institute's Fussy Baby Network for advice (888-431-BABY or www.fussybabynetwork.org).

From the time my daughter was about 6 months until she was one she had "the 10 o'clock squack". Every night between 10 and 10:30 she would scream one time and go right back to sleep. She is a great sleeper now. It will probably pass. Don't worry!

I also have a 5 month old baby about to turn 6 months old and he often wakes up in the middle of the night screaming, like his almost in pain. I spoke to my pediatrician and he told me that it is very common for the nightmares to occur. I thought that was interesting that you experienced the same thing.

It's probably teething... my son has been a terrible teether and screams and cries during night. I've tried motrin b/c tylenol does not seem to work for him. Maybe try motrin before bed if his gums seem to be bothering him.

Good luck!

I don't think he is having nightmares. Children normally don't have these until they are about 18 months. As for the night terrors, that is not it either. When kids have night terrors, they are not easily soothed and are not aware of their surroundings. They scream and actually will try to escape from your grasp. It is not a fun thing to experience and normally drs will tell you to not touch them. I have two children who both have night terrors, so I have lots of experience with them. As for your son, I would guess that it is his teeth. You may check with the dr about the dose, and I have also found that motrin works a little better. Hope some of this helps. Oh he may just be waking because he may be hitting separation anxiety. If he wakes and realizes you are not there he may become scared.

It doesn't sound like night terror to me because that is more severe and the child seems almost awake and is impossible to console. My baby was aobut 18 mo when he got them. I think babies can have nightmares just like us. They are processing stuff from their lives etc. Probably normal; unless it becomes frequent I wouldn't worry. THen I would guess baby is stressed. Hope this helps...

I'm pretty sure it's not nightmares. As others have said it could be the effects of teething or another possibility is "wind" or reflux. Might he need extra burping??? Or you can buy something to relieve the pressure - wind can be really uncomfortable for them while lying down. If you are breastfeeding...what you eat can effect the milk, things like cabbage, beans, spicy food. I'm not too sure what else.
It is alarming when they are crying and you can't "help" them - pure helplessness. Keep your composure, chin up, and try to soothe him best you can.
Good luck, hope this helps, there is probably an easy fix.