Without going all sciency on you…During a typical night, sleep occurs in several stages. Each is associated with particular brain activity, and it's during the rapid eye movement REM stage that most dreaming occurs. Nightmares occur during rapid eye movement REM or dream sleep. And once your child is awake they may be able to tell you what has frightened them. If they are old enough!
Usually this transition is a smooth one. But sometimes, a child becomes agitated and frightened — and that fear reaction is a night terror. Seeing your little one so upset is bound to make you feel the same and your first instinct will be to want to hold them and try to wake them up. However, doing this can make it worse. Instead sit beside them until they calm down talking gently to them. Night terrors usually happen in kids between 4 and 12 years old, but have been reported in babies as young as 18 months.
They seem to be a little more common among boys. A child might have a single night terror or several before they stop. Most of the time, night terrors simply disappear on their own as the nervous system matures. Night terrors can be very upsetting for parents, who might feel helpless when they can't comfort their child. The best way to handle a night terror is to wait it out patiently and make sure your child doesn't get hurt if thrashing around. Kids usually will settle down and return to sleep on their own in a few minutes.
It's best not to try to wake kids during a night terror. This usually doesn't work, and kids who do wake are likely to be disoriented and confused, and may take longer to settle down and go back to sleep. If your child has a night terror around the same time every night, you can try waking him or her up about 15—30 minutes before then to see if that helps prevent it. What are night terrors in children? A child having a night terror will only be confused and disorientated if you wake them.
Wait for your child to stop thrashing around. Guide your child back to bed if they get out and tuck them in. Your child will usually settle back to sleep quickly at this stage.
If you think your child might get hurt, stay close to guide your child away from hitting or bumping the sides of the cot, bed or other obstacles. Try a regular bedtime routine of bath, story and bed. This can help children feel ready for sleep and help them get more sleep. Lack of sleep can cause night terrors in some children. If your child is having regular night terrors around the same time each night, try gently waking your child briefly about half an hour before the usual night terror time and resettling them.
This works for some children. When to get help for night terrors If your child is having night terrors along with breathing problems like snoring , talk with your GP about an ear, nose and throat assessment.
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