I have a two year old son that was running a fever this past week. He's fine, but wanted to sleep with us one night, which is fine. His nighttime routine was the same, bath, get ready for bed, say g'night to both of us, turn on his CD, get his water, put him to bed. Sometimes we'll sing a song on his CD, or hug, and kiss, whatever. Usually, he'll just lay down and I'll cover him up and he's asleep until the next morning. On this night he was screaming. I mean seriously screaming as if he was scared. I don't want him to think I don't care, or am not worried, so I do check on him. Once he finally quieted down, it would not last more than 30 minutes. I asked him if he wanted to sleep with me and he said yes so off we went and he laid down to sleep immediately. He woke up, yet his eyes were still closed, at one point and was kicking and screaming as if he were in a fight. I kept trying to get his attention to let him know I was there and he was okay. This continued for quite some time until finally I flicked water in his face with my fingers. (it wasn't a lot, just a little to get his attention). It worked, he opened his eyes and hugged me tight. Has anyone else experienced this? The only other time he did this was on a weekend trip to Houston. I thought he just didn't like Houston, or the hotel. I didn't think Houston was that bad, the hotel...that's another story. Any thoughts or advice would be great.
Jeri,
It's possible he is having "night terrors." They are like nightmares but much worse. You should discuss this with his pediatrician and see what he recommends. I hope he outgrows this soon, which they usually do. You can also get a lot of info. online about them. Good luck and take care!
Amanda
Has something changed recently in his routine during the day, new people, new teacher, new medication? Sometimes kids react quite well during the day and play out the stress in ways we didn't expect.
If he has had a change, you may want to try to talk to him about it and see if you can find out what's going on in his head, and try to reassure him that things are going to be just fine.
If it continues, I would mention it to the dr next time you swing by.
My oldest, who is now 4, has suffered from night terrors since around her 1st birthday. The exact symptoms you described, screaming/eyes closed/sweating/scared, are included in the symptoms of night terrors. They are extremly vivid nighmares, in which the child doesn't wake up, though you may think they are awake by their behavior. Anything can bring them on, change in routine, seeing something too vivid or upsetting on TV, etc. Mostly, they come and go in phases. Ours usally last 2 months or so, every 6-8 months. That's the recent schedule, when they first started they were much more frequent. Our peditrician has told us that we just have to wait them out, she will grow out of them. Comfort her, but don't shake her awake or anything- it might scare her more. We also have to watch her "triggers" if something upsets her on TV, it's turned off. Even Disney shows, sometimes the main characters seems in dangerous situations that can upset her- that can trigger the terrors. Check with your doctor to make sure it's not a health issue, but you may just have to wait it out- sorry! I hope this helps!
I am not saying this is what is wrong with your son, but my little brother was diagnosed with this... Its not well known and its just something to check upon with your doctor... especially since it seems he is not waking up...
http://www.nightterrors.org/
My 10 year old son had them when he was around 2yrs old and my Dr. said they were night terrors.....It really scared me at first bec. I did not know what to do. She said they will grow out of it and he did. She also, said if you wake them up about 30 min. after they have fallen asleep that it usually breaks the cycle. I could not get my son to wake up. I just would comfort him and get a damp wash cloth and try to wake him up. Then he would go right back to sleep. That is all we did. He is fine know.
E.
I remember when my 3 yr old daughter had a nightmare..The whole week after she stopped eatin an didn't want to be left alone, or go to the bathroom by her self..I could only get her to drink..Anyways after the second day. I had her draw what she saw in her dream..Then I had her to ball up the drawing an we put it in the trash..Then we took the trash out..She felt a lil better, to where we could leave the room without her cryin. So I ended up takin her to the doc just to be on the saft side..That also helpped the doc tellin her it was a dream an that her body was fine..
Yep, it sounds like a little bit of a nightmare/ night terror situation. I am not sure if anyone can pin point the cause, I am sure that at 2 he has not seen anything scary enough to be on his mind. We have experienced this once or twice with both of our children (now age 6 and 3) Honestly, the best thing we figured out, after afew agonizing nights, was that we carried her into the living room, and turned on her favorite movie, which happened to be Barney. It took a minute for her to wake up, but for some reason, she woke up quicker, and happier, than any of the previous times. I am sure that people say to let them be, protect them from harm if needed, but I just couldnt stand it. We layed on the couch, she got a sippy with milk, and went back to sleep peacefully. It has worked every time since! Good luck, I know it can be so sad for you!
My 12 month old did that for a few nights recently. It turned out that he had his first ear infection. I don't know.... perhaps it was a nightmare too. It sure seemed that way to me. He has been back to his great sleeping routine now that he is on antibiotics though. Good luck. It's so horrible seeing them scared or in pain.
It sounds as if your son is suffering from "Night Terrors"
I had a friend once whose child suffered from these and they
were really traumatic for mom and tot alike. I know that there are resources available out there, unfortunatly, I'm not sure what they are. I would definitely check with your pediatrician for information on where to get them.
Best of luck to you and your little one,
S. Johnson
