night terrors???

what age do they start?

I remember my brother having them around 6-7 and they were mostly screaming fits with his eyes closed.

yesterday, DS started screaming with his eyes open. when we tried to comfort him, he ran away from us and jumped on our bed. he wanted mommy but didn't seem to recognize me. he's been having screaming nightmares for about a week, but i thought he was too young. he's 3.

any experience/advice greatly appreciated!

night terrors???

My DS has been having them since about 8 months - he's 10 months now. Just had one a couple of nights ago where he woke screaming, refused to be held, and ended up whimpering himself to sleep on my bed. His eyes are open but he's definitely not awake. I'm in the same boat as you, I have no idea what to do. I just stay with him and try to calm him with gentle motions. He gets them at least once a week.

I have no advice, just wanted to say that I'm with you.

Message edited 9/4/2013 9:46:09 AM.

night terrors???

Hailey has had them since about 3 months. It doesnt happen a lot but a few times in the last 3.5mos

Re: night terrors???

Re: night terrors???

My son had them at 3 yrs old. It was horrible. I was familiar with them and was able to recognize them for what they were. But my husband freaked out. He had never heard of them before, and it can be a scary thing to witness.

My only goal during a night terror was that my son didn't hurt himself. He would yell, throw things, basically become his own tornado in his bedroom. He'd push his chair over, throw his garbage can, toys, etc. He was uncontrollable. I'd talk calmly, tell him I was there with him. I wanted him to know he was safe. I didn't yell at him, fight with him, or try to wake him. It would last 15-20 minutes. Eventually he would calm down enough for me to hold him. He'd cry in my arms, and then fall asleep and everything would be fine. He'd wake up and have no recollection of it.

It lasted about a month. It started about when he gave up his daily nap. His body and brain were over-tired. Plus, he was still in his crib at the time, I think he felt confined. We switched him to a toddler bed and then quickly to a twin bed, and he never had them again. Oh, and we also forbid any kind of chocolate after dinner. Chocolate milk was only for breakfast-time, and it still is.

Re: night terrors???

My oldest started having them before he was 2. He has outgrown them since but still isn't a great sleeper.

Re: night terrors???

DS had his first right around 11 months old.. I think... But they didn't get bad until he was around 3. It took 6 months to figure out what was triggering the really bad ones.. Rd dye in foods/drinks. Once I cut them out they stopped.. Only when he has something with the dye in it is when he has bad night terrors.