A few days ago my 4 month old starting waking up hard in the morning by crying himself awake. Once he was finally awake, he would smile and look at the monitor as if nothing was wrong. But every day since then, the crying and screaming in his sleep has gotten worse. He actually shrieked during a nap today and was screaming in his sleep at 2AM last night.
I have read about something called 'Night Terrors' - does anyone have an experience with something like this?
2007-04-22 17:44:47 · 5 answers · asked by sweetgrl 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My son had them about 8 months old and it happened a few times... freaked me out... his eyes were open, yet he was still dreaming... wierd!!!! After a couple of months it passed.. The doctor said that it had a lot to do with him becoming more aware of his surroundings and with him starting to crawl, it was also that he was experiencing new and unfamiliar things... the best thing that I was told to do (and it worked) was go in there quietly and stand next to the crib, and put your hand softly on their tummy or back and just wait it out. Try not to wake them, let them work through it, because it it like a bad dream that has to end.... kinda thing... they need to work through it in their sleep or it could scare them more... I don;'t know, I always thought it was a weird explanation, but it worked for me...and after a few minutes, he would calm down and sleep the rest of the night...
Just know that night terrors are different from nightmares and there is not much you can do to prevent them... Some children just get them for no reason, while others never do.
And if you don;t already know, night terrors are when they seem to be awake and alert and fight you and scream and freakout, while nightmares are a bad dream that actually wakes them up... :)
Good luck, it won't always be that way!!!
2007-04-22 19:11:41 · answer #1 · answered by Mommy of 2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cause of night terrors is unknown. I know that trying to wake someone from them is very difficult and does not really have much of an effect. At the moment I don't know of anything that can be done.
I do know, that they usually pass with time, like it's just a phase.
For older children, I would say go to Dianetics as I have seen something that modern psychiatry would classify as miracles, but for a child that young without any linguistic skills to respond to treatments - that I don't know.
2007-04-23 00:50:26 · answer #2 · answered by thedavecorp 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My son had night terrors when he was 5. I've never heard of it in infants. I would call the Dr. and have him looked over. Just so you can feel secure. Then if it continues, just hold him and comfort him until he returns to sleep. Soft music may also help. Best wishes and God bless.
2007-04-23 00:49:59 · answer #3 · answered by Candace C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard of it in children as early as Two, but never infants at 4 months old. Maybe the fact that your little one is experiancing ANYTHING at all while he sleeps is just freaking him out! The best thing to do is consult your pediatrician. Good luck! :)
2007-04-23 00:56:42 · answer #4 · answered by ktterdfurguson 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DEAR
MISS
IT IS CALLED NIGHT MARES AND NIGHT TERRORS EVERY ONE HAS THEM IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE
DREAMING OF SOME THING THAT UP SETS THEM ARE SOME TIMES THEY ARE HUNGRY ARE WET OK
JUST HOLD THEM AND ROCK-EM TO LET KNOW THAT YOU ARE THERE OK
TAKE CARE
2007-04-23 02:19:53 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋