After a couple months of good sleep in our house, a new round of sleep issues has emerged. Just when I thought having two kids who sleep through the night meant I was in the clear, Preschool Boy has a couple habits that are a tad troublesome: Night Terrors and coming into our bed at night (which I’ll post about later).
Night Terrors
Now that Preschool Boy has pretty much given up the nap (UGH!), he goes to bed quite easily around 7:30. Several nights a week he “wakes up” crying an hour or two after going to bed. He’s not really awake even though he’s sitting up, or even walking out of his room, but he is crying uncontrollably and sometimes calling out for me or my husband.
The first couple times it happened, I got totally freaked out because he wouldn’t talk or respond to me and just kind of starred into space sobbing. I asked him repeatedly, “What’s wrong? What’s wrong?” and was totally weirded out that he just sat there crying and didn’t answer me. After this happened a couple times, I figured the best approach is to ignore him until he falls back asleep or go to him and lay him back down in his bed. He’s had episodes like this the past couple of nights and while I’m used to it, it has my husband a little worried.
Night Terrors Defined
Following a couple quick searches on the internet, I’m pretty sure he’s having Night Terrors. From WebMD,
The sleep disorder of night terrors typically occurs in children aged 3-12 years, with a peak onset in children aged 3½ years.
… Night terrors occur during the transition from stage 3 non-REM sleep to stage 4 non-REM sleep, beginning approximately 90 minutes after the child falls asleep.
Night terrors are distinctly different from the much more common nightmares, which occur during REM sleep. Night terrors are characterized by frequent recurrent episodes of intense crying and fear during sleep, with difficulty arousing the child. Night terrors are frightening episodes that disrupt family life.
An estimated 1-6% of children experience night terrors. Boys and girls are equally affected. Children of all races also seem to be affected equally. The disorder usually resolves during adolescence.
My son recently turned 3 so he’s a few months shy of the “peak onset” and, dear god, I hope we have some resolution before he’s an adolescent! It goes on to say that children may have an episode or two a week for several weeks. But, this has been going on for longer than a couple weeks – and he cries nearly every night. I’m also surprised by the low percentage of children who suffer night terrors. Does that mean what he’s doing isn’t really a Night Terror, or is it really that uncommon?
Night Terror Causes
The description and age seem right on, but the causes suggested by WebMD don’t really fit:
- Stressful life events
- Fever
- Sleep deprivation
- Medications that affect the central nervous system (the brain)
I know he’s getting a tad less total sleep without napping, but I don’t think 12 hours of sleep a night is really sleep deprivation. He’s not sick or taking medication, and he’s had no stressful life events. I hate to think that his sleep is being disrupted because my 3 year old is feeling stress. Poor thing.
From what I’ve read, there’s not much anyone can do – and I wouldn’t expect there to be a quick fix. Honestly, I haven’t really been that worried or concerned about it, but my husband started to get a little freaked out last night by some of the information we found.
Does your child have Night Terrors? And if so, what is an episode like and how long do they last? Does it sound like what I’m describing? Have you talked to your pediatrician?
Rhea@mommy23monkeys
February 23, 2010Gabe (one 3yo) suffered through a period of night terrors. I find that he seems to have them worse when he’s extra tired…maybe a really busy day or an early wake up. They are scary as heck! But he did grow out of them and now they are few and far between.
I know it’s scary though, so ((HUGS)).
From what I’ve read it really does seem related to lack of sleep. We’ve started a journal to keep track of it and see if we can find a pattern.
sara
February 23, 2010My little girl has also had a few night terrors recently. But she is even younger and not on the likely charts at all at 26 months! She has had 3 nights of it and it is so scary! Hers are almost exactly after she has been asleep 90 minutes and usually occurs also on the days she does not nap. I also really hope this does not last for years and years, I dont think I can take it!!
It is really scary so I’m sorry you’re going through it, too. I hope your little one stops doing it soon.
Deal-ectible Mom
February 23, 2010We haven’t had any night terrors and it sounds SO scary! So sorry ;( It sounds like your doing your job as a mom and researching and learning as much as you can…bravo!
Thanks, Candace.
Jana
February 23, 2010Oh, this sounds terrible! We have not had any experience with night terrors (although are very familiar with our older one coming into our bed at night!). I wish you the best in dealing with this! It sounds just rotten for you both
Kathy Hodson
February 23, 2010I had night terrors as a child, and it lasted a little while. I also slept walked which occurs along with sleep terrors at times. I don’t remember them. My parents told me how awful it was. I am fine now. Hang in there!
Kowanda
February 24, 2010We’ve experienced a few night terrors. I have a hard time going back to sleep once my son has had one.
Kasandria
February 24, 2010That’s awful! Hopefully you can get to the root of it and he can sleep through the night.
Kas
Sheryl
February 25, 2010Sad to know what you are going through. It sure will get better.
Christina
February 25, 2010My daughter has night terrors too (she’s 5) and they are exactly as you’ve described, some only last a few minutes but she’s also had them last 10-15 minutes. She usually just cries, once in a while she talks. A few times she’s gotten out of bed, but usually when I hear her crying & go in I find her sitting up in her bed. She never remembers ANYTHING tho. Hers started last year after a stressful situation (seizure, discovered she had severe sleep apnea & then she had surgery). She went for a stretch of about a month recently without having any, now she’s having them again… atleast a few times a week, but sometimes more often. It is definately very scary and heartbreaking watching them knowing you can’t do anything to help them. Our Neuro said if it happens at the same point every night we could try to gentle wake her up (not completely) and sometimes that helps to stop them, but she never consistantly has them at the same time (sometimes its an hour, sometimes its two or two & a half hours)
Thanks for sharing your experience. On the one hand, I’m reassured to hear that a night terror actually is what I’m describing because I just wasn’t sure. It’s just kind of nice to know that’s what it is.
I read the suggestion of waking the child to prevent a night terror. He hasn’t had one in a couple of days, but it does seem to happen at a pretty similar time when he does have them a couple nights in a row.
I’m sorry your daughter had to have surgery – and I hope the night terrors stop for you all, too.
Christa
February 27, 2010I’m so sorry this is happening! My brother is exactly 3 1/2 and he has had some night terrors but it hasn’t been very often at all! It’s really scary. My brother doesn’t remember it in the morning does your son? Hope all is getting better with this!