Night terrors can be scary for a parent to witness, but the first thing I want you to know is this: your child is safe.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been there\u2014awakened in the night by a screaming, inconsolable 3-year-old, wishing I could comfort him somehow. Even as a pediatrician, I felt helpless in those moments. The good news is that night terrors are usually harmless, and most children outgrow them naturally. Here is a guide to understanding night terrors:<\/p>\n
Night terrors usually occur in toddlers and preschoolers. They tend to happen in the first part of the night, when sleep is deepest. During an episode, a child might suddenly sit up, cry or scream, breathe fast, sweat, or look scared and confused. They often don\u2019t recognize you or respond to your comforting, and the next day, they don\u2019t remember them happening.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s easy to confuse night terrors with nightmares. Nightmares usually happen later in the night, during dream-filled sleep. After a nightmare, children are alert and respond to your comforting and often remember the experience the next day. Night terrors, by contrast, occur in deep sleep, and your child has no memory of them.<\/p>\n
To learn more about night terrors, I talked with my colleague Dr. Iqbal Rashid<\/a> \u2013 a specialist in pediatric sleep disorders. He explained that they can be triggered by anything that causes a child to have poor quantity<\/a> or poor quality of sleep. Night terrors happen when a child\u2019s brain \u201cpartially wakes up\u201d from deep sleep.<\/p>\n Genetics seem to play a role, as these episodes often run in families. Other factors can contribute, such as:<\/p>\n Even though they can be frightening to watch, night terrors are usually harmless, and most children outgrow them naturally. And be reassured: you haven\u2019t done anything to cause night terrors, and they aren\u2019t caused by any trauma your child has experienced.<\/p>\n The most important things you can do during a night terror are stay calm, remind yourself that your child will be okay, and focus on safety. Remove anything nearby that could cause injury and gently guide them back if they get out of bed.<\/p>\n Reassure your child that they are safe, but remember that they probably can\u2019t be \u201ccomforted\u201d in the usual way. They aren\u2019t aware of what\u2019s going on, and they may even try to push you away if you try to hug or reassure them \u2013 which is so hard to experience as a parent! Trying to wake or restrain them can sometimes make the episode longer or more intense, so it\u2019s usually best to let it ride out.<\/p>\n Good sleep habits can help prevent night terrors. Try to make sure your child gets the recommended number of hours sleep per day<\/a> \u2013 which we know isn\u2019t always easy. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that preschool-aged kids get 10-13 hours of sleep (including naps).<\/p>\n We also recommend you:<\/p>\n\n
How to Support Your Child When They Have a Night Terror<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Prevention of Night Terrors and Sleep Tips<\/strong><\/h3>\n