Night Terrors ??

[j&k'smum]

Has anyone experienced the "night terrors" with their children? My daughter has woken twice this week really upset. She seems to be asleep though (her eyes are closed) . She is crying and calling out for me but when I go in there she is telling me to "go away". So then I go away and then she is calling me back.
Last night I found it really hard to calm her down. She didn't want to be picked up and this seemed to irritate her more.She was kicking me when I attempted at all to touch her. I left her on her own for a few minutes to see if that would settle her down but it made it worse. I constantly tried to get her mind onto something else. I finally was able to bring her into the lounge but she seemed quiet clingy after that. It was a good ten minutes or so before I could stop her from crying. I soothed her back to sleep and let her sleep in my bed.
What are they? Why do they happen? Can I intervene or try and stop them from happening at all?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
:)

[drewid]

There have been a few other threads on this in the last few months, maybe try doing a search?

My bubba gets these sometimes - just the most heartbreaking crying yet while still being mostly asleep. Just cuddles for a while tends to fix him.

From my research (!) it appears to be especially at developmental stages, or after a traumatic event (like a fall etc) and most especially after a long day/overtiredness/overstimulation.

Most people tend to think you can leave them in bed and just soothe with voice and patting if they are still asleep. Cos they are asleep they dont' really know you are 'there'. Sometimes picking them up makes it worse. But cos my bubba is so young, I wont' leave him in bed so hubby or I will pick him up and cuddle him in the dark and put him back down when he's quiet again.

Its a bit scary isn't it. Breaks my heart every time.

[j&k'smum]

Thanks. I shall do that.
Yes it is a terrible thing to witness. I feel bad for her that she can't calm herself down and won't let me help her. Realised too that it has been on the days where she hasn't hasd a nap and has been over stimulated ect.
Thankyou again for your reply. :)

[AM]

My son has had this a few times, not often luckily, and it really is horrible to see and hear.
No insight, just wanted to let you know others are going through it too!

[RuthK]

My son, who's just turned 3 is getting these every few weeks.

We give him a big hug, bring him in with us, then my DH settles back in his bed with him til he falls fast asleep.

His are usually about Finding Nemo or Thomas the Tank Engine, both of whom he's addicted to. God help us when he starts watching Monster's Inc!

[Supermum]

Hi there j&k's mum

Our son has night terrors one to two times per fortnight. He tends to get them when he's had a very big day or more commonly, when he is too hot. Sometimes it takes a minute to calm him down and sometimes half an hour. It depends how bad it is as to whether or not we leave him alone. We get the same "go away" and "no" to every question. Talking gently and touching or cuddling him may help him become calm, but if this causes him to be more distressed we just sit nearby.

If he's really worked into a frenzy we apply a cold cloth to his forehead & the back of his neck as they get hotter when distressed, offer him a drink and just sit and wait ....

Work out how to take care of yourself. It is very distressing being woken by a child whom you cannot comfort.

Sleep terrors are much more upsetting to watch than they are to experience. Children do not have any memory of what has happened, and do not suffer any psychological harm from them.

That's just my two cents.

Wishing you all the best.

[Sarie]

Nathan started around the time he turned two and he gets them every two weeks or so. I think it's because they ar absorbing so much all the time, also silly things Postman Pat some time scares him :confused:

[Rainbowbrite]

Don't know if this could be the cause but when I was little, at night I would hallucinate (sp?) The doctors and hospitals could find no reason for it at all. My mum said it'd happen at random times. Didn't last for more than 20minutes, like your bubs I was inconsolable & didn't recognise anyone. My mum just persevered and eventually i'd just go back to sleep and be fine.

Good luck, hope they stop :)

RB

[j&k'smum]

Thanks girls...Its a bit of a relief to know that others out there are experiencing it too. It is such a terrible thing to witness and very frustrating not being able to do anything about it.
I will just go with it as best as I can do and hopefully get used to and learn how to help her out of it. Hopefully though they won't last that long :D
Thanks again for your help and all the best to you too with your little one's.
:)

[xavesmum]

My son Xavier had been having what I call "night terrors" since he was 2 months old. HE still has them every now and again, we have had him to the hospital and everything and they brush it off as nothing!

Although... on a cold day his temperature will go thru the roof whilst he is having one, and eventhough I have told everyone this no one knows whats wrong with my little boy.

So I can understand where u are coming from luv!

Keep your chin up... I am!


Thanks guys!

Lori