Anyone have experience with night terrors?

jsusann

I may have baby with them! Griffin "wakes" up from naps with these painfully scary shrieks. He will calm himself usually and go back to sleep....except today. He was napping and started crying loudly, like he was in pain. I tried the binky..no luck, he kept screaming. He screamed so loud that I had to shut the windows so the neighbors wouldn't freak out. I tried to feed him, he wouldn't eat, still screamed. I took his temperature, which was normal. He seemed like he was in physical pain and his eyes were wide open. So my thought was that there was physically something wrong. I called the nurse who told me to take him to the ER. So I took him to the ER after 15 mins of blood-curdling screams. He started to calm down in the car and when I got to the hospital (which is right around the corner from our house) they looked at him and said nothing was wrong and that it may have been a night terror and while it typically happens in children btw. ages 2-5, it can happen w/infants too. So crazy! So while I'm very happy there was nothing wrong with him, I'm scared that he's going to be tortured by night terrors. I am praying this is just a phase he's going thru and not something that continues to get worse as he gets older. Does anyone have any experience with these?

leslie13510

I had them from when I was 9 months old until I was 8 years old.  I was having them regularly and then one day it was like they just stopped.  I'm not going to lie, they sucked.  I'd have little ones at least once a week and major "episodes" about once a month.  They weren't fun, but they in no way dominated my childhood either.  I remember having them, but the only real effects I have from them today are that I won't watch scary movies. 

I also had them a few times when I was pregnant, which was weird since I haven't had them in yeeeaaaars. 

My son is starting to have them too I think.  He does almost exactly the same things that yours does, which is how my mom described mine when I was an infant (although I was about 6 months older when they started).  I hope that he doesn't have to deal with them as long as I did.  Poor babies.

Junebug83

Unfortunately, this seems to be a new thing with BabyBoy (he's 15 mo.) these days. He's typically an excellent sleeper, but recently, like your son, he will suddenly wake up from his nap in a screaming fit. Not screaming like he has a dirty diaper or was woken up by a loud noise or a slow rise from a whimper, but a startled scream of terror that comes out of nowhere. When I go into his room he is sweaty, shaky, hyperventilating, and has this wild look in his eyes. It will continue for what seems like forever but realistically probably about 15 to sometimes even 30 minutes. Since he isn't physically hurt (i.e. I can't put a band-aid on it) all I can do is hold him, rock him, rub his back, and whisper to him until he calms down. Sorry I can't offer more constructive advice but I just wanted to say that it breaks my heart too and I hope that he will grow out of it soon!

kimby3679

My babies are 9 mo and DD has started to have night terrors too. It is scary as hell, because I really thought there was something terrably wrong. She was wailing and wimpering! I hope they won't lasst too long

UrAnIdiot

my babies haven't had them, but my DH used to until he was like 10. MIL told me he had an uncle that was a Vietnam vet and couldn't stay at their house because DH's screams would cause crazy flashbacks!

jsusann

KittyCatRollerMoM:

my babies haven't had them, but my DH used to until he was like 10. MIL told me he had an uncle that was a Vietnam vet and couldn't stay at their house because DH's screams would cause crazy flashbacks!

Ohhhhh your picture is ADORABLE!! Thanks for the responses, ladies! I'm terrifiedthat this is going to last a long time....uuugh, more sleepless nights ahead, I guess. And HE was my easy child!...ha..ha.

LoveEeyore

My DD had them 2 nights in a row around 7 or 8 months, and not again since.  I tried the usual boob to calm her but it was like she couldn't see it.  Her eyes were wide and she just wouldn't stop- I had DH turn on a warm shower and climbed in with her both fully clothed (showers together were calming for her).  THe experts say they don't remember and to let them run their course, but I didn't know and just wanted to end it.  If that hadn't worked I probab;y would have taken her to ER.  I also read that it happens more when they are overtired.  Good luck, hopefully they are short lived.