Your toddler is finally sleeping peacefully after a long day. You’re just getting ready to snuggle in yourself when your child starts to scream. They’re not having a bad dream; they’re having a night terror. You may not know how to cope with night terrors in toddlers, so these ideas may provide the help you need.
Night terrors are not the same thing as nightmares. With night terrors your toddler will wake partially from deep sleep. Try not to get too panicky about it. You’re going to remember it more than your toddler will.
They are fairly common in toddlers (normally between the ages of three and five) and may be hereditary in nature. Most doctors agree that males are more prone to night terrors than females. In extreme cases, night terrors may last well into the early teen years. Night terrors don’t occur on a regular basis and will often stop on their own with no intervention at all. However, you may feel better speaking to your toddler’s pediatrician about them.
During a night terror episode, you toddler will wake up partially. They may scream out or thrash around in their bed. They may also shake or get up and run around the room. Toddlers will not recognize you or respond to anything you say to them. They may have their eyes open, but that’s not always the case.
Your best bet for coping with night terrors is to remain calm. Don’t try waking your toddler up because it may frighten them. Never shake or shout at a toddler in the throes of a night terror for the same reason. While night terrors may last as long as an hour, they are frequently much shorter than that. Try to settle your child back into their bed and keep them from being injured. Stay with them until they quieten down and are able to sleep again.
To keep your toddler safe during a night terror, it is important that their room be clear of toys or things they can trip over if they rise from bed. You’ll want to put a stair gate across any stairs in your home so they can’t fall down them. Keep them inside the house by locking all doors and windows.
If your child is being cared for by someone other than yourself or your partner, you’ll want to let the babysitter know about your toddler’s night terrors. Explain to them what night terrors are and that they need to be available to keep your toddler safe if they have one.
Try to be consistent with your child’s sleep times; having a regular schedule may help prevent night terrors. You can also help your toddler by not allowing them to become over-tired. Putting them down for a nap during the day may also help. If the night terror episodes are frequent or severe, you may want to take your toddler to see their pediatrician.
Night terrors can be really alarming and frightening for you as a parent. Try to remember that your toddler won’t remember having them and that keeping them safe is the best thing you can do for them. Staying nearby and available if they have a night terror really is the best thing you can do.
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