Waking up screaming

Submitted by niki0114 on Thu, 08/09/2012 - 03:05

My son has been a wonderful sleeper since I moved him into his crib about 5 months ago. He goes to bed at 730 and up around 7. Usually taking a nap about 11 for an hour and half. With in the last week he has been waking up about 45 minutes after he goes to sleep screaming. The kind that scares you. I go in to calm him and when I pick him up he is trembling. I am unsure what is wrong. He will calm down when I pick him up, I rock him and tell him the mommy is there and he falls right back to sleep and sleeps the rest of the night. My husband thinks they are night terrors, but I dont feel thats what is wrong. I was wondering if its to early to maybe to a nightlight of some kind. I have done some reading and found that a certain light can actually keep him awake and prevent him from a good night sleep. Do you have any advice or suggestions on what I could do to help my little man?

Thank you!

‹ Struggling at 4.30am sleeping ›

Hello,It does sound a bit

Submitted by Juliet on Fri, 08/10/2012 - 13:17.

Hello,

It does sound a bit like night terrors so your husband could be right. You did not say how old your son is and is a crib a cot?

Night terrors mainly affect pre-school children so your son may be a little young for them but my middle child definately had them from around 9 months of age. They tend to occur during deep sleep and about 30mins-2 hours after first falling asleep. A child will wake up and appear terrified and can be screaming and have wide eyes. Does not tend to last long - no more than 10 mins and the child can never remember the episode the next day.

It is not know exactly what causes a night terror but some of the causes can be sleep deprivation,stimulants such as caffeine and sugar before bed,it can run in families and sleep cycle development so they will eventually grow out of it.

If you find your child has a terror at the same time each night try to gently stir 15 minsbefore the night terror is due and this can help to prevent them. Also continue as you are doing when he has the terror - offer comfort and resettle to sleep and don't try to wake him.

You can try a plug in night light - most young children get comfort from a low glow lamp and it won't affect the quality of his sleep.

Hope that helps.

Juliet