Night Terrors in Children: Everything You Need to Know

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Night terrors are a type of sleep disorder that can cause children to experience intense fear and distress during their sleep. Night terrors differ from nightmares because children with a night terror are not fully awake. They may scream, cry, or thrash around but are not responding to their surroundings.

What are night terrors?

Night terrors are a sleep disorder most common in children between 3 and 7 years old. Night terrors typically occur during the first half of the night while the child is asleep.

During a night terror, the child may:

Scream, cry, or thrash around
Have a look of terror on their face
Be sweating or have a rapid heart rate
Talk or mumble incoherently
Walk or run around without purpose

Night terrors usually last for a few minutes, but they can sometimes last for up to 30 minutes. When the child wakes up from a night terror, they will typically be confused and disoriented. They may not remember having the night terror at all.

Causes of night terrors

The exact cause of night terrors is unknown, but they are thought to be caused by a combination of factors, including:

Genetics: Night terrors tend to run in families, so if you or your partner had them as a child, your child is more likely to have them.
Age: Night terrors are most common in children between 3 and 7 years old. This is thought to be because the brain is still developing.
Stress: Stress can trigger night terrors in some children. Stress can be caused by various factors, such as starting a new school, moving to a new house, or experiencing a family crisis.
Lack of sleep: Not getting enough sleep can also trigger night terrors in some children.

Symptoms of night terrors

The most common symptom of a night terror is intense fear and distress during sleep. Other symptoms of night terrors may include:

Screaming, crying, or thrashing around
A look of terror on the face
Sweating or a rapid heart rate
Talking or mumbling incoherently
Walking or running around without purpose
Confusion and disorientation upon waking up

How to help your child cope with night terrors

If your child has night terrors, there are a few things you can do to help them cope:

Stay calm: It is essential to stay calm and reassuring during a night terror. Do not try to wake your child up. This will only make them more confused and upset.
Comfort your child: You can comfort your child by gently stroking their back or talking to them in a soothing voice.
Make sure your child is safe: Make sure that your child is in a safe environment and that they cannot hurt themselves.
Keep a record of the night terrors: If your child’s night terrors are frequent or severe, keep a record of them. This can help you to identify any patterns that may be triggering the night terrors.

Tips for preventing night terrors

There are a few things you can do to help prevent night terrors:

Ensure your child gets enough sleep: Most children need 10-12 hours of sleep per night.
Establish a regular sleep schedule: Put your child to bed and wake them up simultaneously each day, even on weekends.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine: Bathing, reading a story or singing a lullaby.
Avoid caffeine and sugar before bed: Caffeine and sugar can interfere with sleep.
Ensure your child’s bedroom is dark, quiet, and calm: These conditions are ideal for sleep.

Conclusion

Night terrors can be a frightening experience for both the child and the parent. However, there are things that parents can do to help their children cope with night terrors and make them less disruptive. If your child has night terrors, talk to your doctor. They can offer additional advice and support.

Summary