night terrors?

UMwife · September 2010

It's only happened a handful of times, but there are nights where Carley wakes up crying. Like full on sobbing, tears streaming down her face. Except she's totally asleep. I usually end up having to turn on all the lights in her room, pick her up, and really talk to her until she wakes up. It breaks my heart that she feels that way. And even if she falls asleep in my arms, the minute I put her back in the crib after an episode like that, we're back at square one and start all over again...which usually just results in my bringing her to the guest room and sleeping with her on top of me (she'll cry even if I just lay her next to me).

Obviously this isn't normal behavior, so I was going to call her dr and ask about it but I thought of asking here first to see if anyone else has any similar experiences. At first I thought maybe she's just afraid of the dark, but if that was it, anyone would be able to console her and that's not the case -- it can only be me.

Any thoughts??

CesEve99 · September 2010

parents magazine has an article on night terrors/nightmares that i just read.

they described it as follows:

a nightmare is when a child wakes up the next morning either crying or afraid of what they dreamt about.

a night terror is when a child is inconsolable, may have eyes wide open but its obvious they are still asleep. they go on to mention that you may frighten your child even more if you pick them up or try to wake them up from the night terror and its best if you stand by (i know its hard) and wait until its over (which they say usually lasts a few minutes).

we've experienced nightmares but not night terrors (which sound incredibly scary especially at carley's age). i personally would discuss it with my dr if the episodes continue. also, try not to wake up carley as she is going through it. i know its easier said than done but its worth a shot next time it happens.