Dealing with night terrors

Children that struggle with night terrors normally have sleep depravation. Night terrors normally subside on their own as your child grows and they do not medication to control the night terrors. Many children fear going to sleep because the night terrors happen often. Night terrors occur during a time when the child is in deep sleep. Some children will scream out for their parents and may lash out violently when their parents come to their side because they are unaware of their presence. Night terrors normally do not fully awaken the child and the child generally will have problems remembering the details of the dream. Night terrors occur during the first few hours of sleep.

Several children experience a different condition known as nightmares. The nightmares are unsettling to a child and they normally are able to remember practically every detail of the nightmare. Typically a nightmare will happen during the time of REM or light sleep. The nightmares will jolt the child awake and they will become restless and sleep deprived. Generally a nightmare will occur toward the end of a night's sleep.

You can tell if your child suffers from night terrors because they will resist going to sleep, they will scream, cry, or become hysterical while sleeping. When a child experiences a night terror, they will be fully asleep even if their eyes are opened. They may call out for their mother or father, but they will fail to be comforted by them when they arrive because they are still asleep. The best thing you can do during a night terror is sit in your child's room and watch them. Make sure you take measures to protect them from hurting themselves. Do not cuddle them, as this can actually make the night terror worsen. Children often feel like they are trapped, falling, or being chased and being held by you will aggravate their emotions. Turn on some calming music or sing to your child to help them get through the night terror. Try reading a book, as your voice will bring them calmness and the night terror will end sooner.

Night terrors often occur around the same time each night. One way you can prevent a night terror from reoccurring is to go in and wake your child about 30 minutes before the night terror generally begins. Read a book to your child or sing a song with them, if your child is in a peaceful state, they generally do not have problems with night terrors.

To help alleviate the possibility of night terrors, you need to establish healthy routines with your child. Make sure they are not overwhelmed with responsibilities and make sure they are eating a proper diet. Children need to have adequate amounts of exercise too. Elementary-aged children require 10-11 hours of sleep per night. In order to reduce the chance of a night terror, you need to make sure your child has a set bedtime and that they receive adequate rest. Children that suffer from sleep depravation often struggle with night terrors and they also have a harder time maintaining focus in school. Try putting your child to bed earlier if they are having problems with night terrors. Changing their bedtime to 8:00 from 8:30 may make the difference your child needs.
Children that have a proper balance of things generally are happier and more peaceful. If a child is at peace, their ability to sleep soundly is greater. Take a look at your child's home life. Is there contention in the home? Does your child have problems with their siblings or other caregivers in the home? Is your child struggling with their teacher or their friends? What disruptions are in your child's life that could be causing them stress? Talk to your child about their daily life; look for things they tell you that could be causing the night terrors. Night terrors often reflect an imbalance in your child's life. This could be an imbalance of physical, emotional, or biochemical needs.

Reassure your child that you can protect them. You need to be strong in your child's eyes. Visualizing you in their dreams may help them "get out" of the night terror quicker. Instead of being afraid of things in your home like noises and insects, show your child that you are strong, even if you are screaming inside. Take time to hug your child and comfort them. A child that feels loved and accepted is less likely to struggle in school and generally does not suffer from night terrors.

Check your child's diet. Children that have a higher intake of caffeinated beverages often suffer from night terrors due to a biochemical imbalance. Clean out the unhealthy foods from your pantry and refrigerator and encourage your child to drink water or juice instead of soda. Bedtime snacks also help children sleep better and it reduces the chance of night terrors. Offer your child a glass of milk with an oatmeal cookie. If your child is prone to bedwetting, offer them some yogurt and a sip of water instead. Whole-grains are healthy for children and they help a child receive the proper balance of amino acids. These amino acids release tryptophan, a chemical that helps to induce sleep.

Another thing you can do to help your child avoid night terrors is to exercise with them. Children that are active are less likely to experience night terrors. Physical activity releases neurohormones, which help to relax the brain and the body. The neurohormones work harder during the night and help a child maintain a relaxed state through the night.

Provide your child with a calming environment. Limit their exposure to television and films that may cause them to have nightmares or night terrors. Always avoid scary movies and scary shows in the evening before a child goes to bed. Create a bedtime ritual of reading a funny or relaxing story, watching a short cartoon, or do something that your child will look forward to. Warm baths can also help a child drift into a relaxed mindset and it will help them to sleep peacefully. Children that go to bed with pleasant scenes normally sleep longer and sleep peacefully. Place relaxing images in their room, like posters of their favorite sports team or of their hero. When they go to bed, leave a light on in the hallway or leave on a nightlight in their room. The light will help children that are afraid of the dark and it will help children understand where they are if they awaken from a nightmare. Purchase a CD of relaxing music and play it as your child drifts to sleep. Relaxing music will help keep them soundly asleep and they normally will not suffer from sleep depravation and night terrors.

Be supportive of your child and their problems. If they awaken and want to come sleep with you in your room, walk them back to their room and stay there until they fall asleep. Talk about the nightmare they had or why they are scared to fall asleep. You need to remain calm and be supportive of your child. Discuss the things they remember from their nightmares and let them know that nothing like that would ever happen. Provide them with a feeling of being secure and safe and they will be able to get through the night without any problems.

If your child seems upset and terrified, calmly remind them that they are okay and that they are safe. If your child is screaming from a night terror, sit in their room and assure them that they are safe. If your child awakens, they will see you and know they are okay and that they are safe.

If your child has had periodic night terrors and is scared of their room, place a sleeping bag in your room and allow them to sleep there for a few nights. You may even need to get in a sleeping bag and sleep on the floor in their room to let them know they are okay. For most children, having their parents close to them will reassure them that they are safe and it comforts them. Most children will develop a healthy sleep ritual after they feel comforted and safe for 3-4 nights. Once your child is able to sleep again without experiencing night terrors, you can move back to your room.

Night terrors normally affect children between the ages of 3-12 years old. If your child is ill, on new medication, stressed, or overtired, they generally will suffer from night terrors. If your child is on medication, speak with their doctor about changing medication. Generally night terrors will occur when the child is transitioning from light sleep to deep sleep. Most children will get through their night terrors within 2-3 weeks, although some children will suffer from them for several months. If your child does struggle from night terrors for more than 3 weeks, a doctor may need to evaluate them for other medical problems. Finding the source of the night terrors will help your child deal with night terrors. Currently, there is no medical treatment for night terrors, only preventative treatments.