In the past few months, my 2.5 yr old who used to sleep so well through the night and would love to sleep in, now wakes at least once a night and when he does he is usually screaming in fright. I've heard of "Night terrors" at this age, but not too sure if this is what is going on. When he used to wake up, he would be happy and cheerful, but now he is visibly shaking,screams and cries. Most often he does not want to go back to bed and instead will only sleep if he can crawl back in bed with my husband and I... Just wondering if anyone has had any similiar circumstances with their little ones and what possibly can I do to make his nights less scary for him... Thanks and Merry Christmas!!! D.
Here are two websites that I found extremely helpful when we went through this:
http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/sleep/a/night_terrors.htm
:)
Tamara
Wow. YOu have a big gap in ages there. Took a time out did ya. LOL I have 6 kids and I have experienced what you are. I have tried many things that others have said, but the thing that worked best for me was this:
I sang to them before they went to bed. I made it a ritual. They got to pick the song. I also made sure that they had an hour of calm down time prior to that. Just time in Mommy's arms watching T.V. or reading a good book or something.
When they woke up in the middle of the night, I went and laid in their bed with them instead of having them come into my bed. That is a bad habit that I've learned not to do...(note: I am still letting my youngest sleep in my bed sometimes too..Ha Ha I think it is because she is my youngest and I don't want her to grow up.)
Anyway, I'm sure it will pass, but it is hard to watch your child have to go through such frightening experiences.
Good luck!
my name is T. have you changed any of his routines or his sleepin arrangements.
I have a 2.5 yr old as well and unfortunately he never has been the sleeper but I have found that if I leave the hall light on for him throughout the night even if he wakes up it is somewhat easier (not completely easy but easier) to help him go back to sleep.
My 12 year old son use to having dreams to where he was waking up screaming and just completely out of it. I tried everything I could to help him. I even made a little pillow bed on the floor next to his bed for about 2 weeks I slept in his room but he would still wake up screaming etc. Well I was on my last rope not knowing what to do. He didn't want to sleep because he was afraid to dream. Here comes the best advice and trust me it worked and it still works to his day.
Every night before I would put him to bed we both would say this prayer: "I WILL LIE DOWN IN PEACE AND SLEEP, FOR YOU ALONE, O LORD, WILL KEEP ME SAFE." (PSALM 4:8)
I promise you if you say this prayer with your son every single night he will not have anymore nightmares. My son know says this prayer on his own and I feel he with pass it down to his children. Also I went one step futher and annointed his room with annointing oil and said this prayer over it:" LORD, I INVITE YOUR HOLY SPIRIT TO DWELL IN THIS ROOM, WHICH BELONGS TO (NAME OF CHILD). YOU ARE LORD OVER HEAVEN AND EARTH, AND I PROCLAIM THAT YOU ARE LORD OVER THIS ROOM AS WELL. FLOOD IT WITH YOUR LIGHT AND LIFE. CROWD OUT ANY DARKNESS WHICH SEEKS TO IMPOSE ITSELF HERE, AND LET NO SPIRIT OF FEAR, DEPRESSION, ANGER, DOUBT, ANXIETY, REBELLIOUSNESS, OR HATRED (NAME ANYTHING YOU'VE SEEN MANIFESTED IN YOUR CHILD'S BEHAVIOR) FIND ANY PLACE HERE. I PRAY THAT NOTHING WILL COME INTO THIS ROOM THAT IS NOT BROUGHT BY YOU, LORD. IF THERE IS ANYTHING HERE THAT SHOULDN'T BE, SHOW ME SO IT CAN BE TAKEN OUT. PUT YOUR COMPLETE PROTECTION OVER THIS ROOM SO THAT EVIL CANNOT ENTER HERE BY ANY MEANS. FILL THIS ROOM WITH YOUR LOVE, PEACE, AND JOY. I PRAY THAT MY CHILD WILL SAY, AS DAVID DID, "I WILL WALK WITHIN MY HOUSE WITH A PERFECT HEART. I WILL SET NOTHING WICKED BEFORE MY EYES". I PRAY THAT YOU, LORD, WILL MAKE THIS ROOM A HOLY PLACE, SANCTIFIED FOR YOUR GLORY."
Okay I promise you that if you will take this advice it will work. My son hasn't had a nightmare since and if he does I will ask him if he said the prayer before bedtime and he says no; therefore, we say the prayer and he sleeps peacefully the rest of the night.
Please try this and can you keep me informed of how things go please because I would really like to know.
I am not sure if this would work for you and certainly, talk to your pediatrician about it first but, my teenager suffered a brain injury two years ago and since then has had problems getting his brain to slow down enough to actually get to sleep. I spoke with a neurologist at the children's hospital and he suggested I go to the health food store and get a bottle of Melaotin. It's a substance that our brain needs to function normally and helps it to get into a normal pattern of slowing down to sleep. My son started taking a pill each night about 1/2 hour before bed time and it would slow his brain down and make him sleepy. And, because it's a natural substance the brain already needs, there was no side effects, etc. But, like I said, certainly check with his pediatrician first so you use a correct dosage.
my daughter gets night terrors from time to time and what I found that works is I start to sing to her one of her favorite songs like ABC's or Hush baby and that usually helps get her subconscience get back to something less scary. My pediatrician said that this is the age that they can get really bad due to an increased amount of stress in life the 2s are hard because they are learningalot and exploring alot it can be scary (they can also cause just nightmares too)
It doesn't sound like night terrors. These are usually screaming fits in the middle of the night that will not wake your child, and he will have no memory of in the morning. It sounds like he's having true nightmares.
The things that I've found to work for my two boys (ages 4 and 1) are a glow lamp (more light than a night-light) and a cuddly friend for bed-time. Sometimes when my older son wakes up from a bad dream I'll coax him back to bed and ask if Kitty needs a hug, and if he'd like to help Kitty get back to sleep. This seems to shift his attention away from himself and onto his stuffed animal, turning him from scared child to comforter.
But the phase is a very normal one for kids your son's age, and will pass in time. Especially if there have been any changes or new stresses in your home. New baby, a move, potty training, domestic problems... these can all lead to the kind of nightmares and night-waking that you're describing. Ask your son if anything is bothering him and if there's anything you can do about it. With a lot of patience and love you and your son will get through it.
try putting a night light in his room and lay with him in his bed untill he goes back to sleep
it may be nightmares.
Night terrors are usually like someone walking in thier sleep. The person will scream and carry on but they arent aware or awake. they will usually only settle down when they are ready and there isnt much you can do but wait it out. They are not remembered when the person awakes. If your son wakes up crying screaming in fear and is awake it is more likely a nightmare and there is a reason for the distress. It could also be continuing as he knows he can get in to moms bed. If it continues and you are concerened ask your dr for some advice. I would look up info about night terrors so you can better know the difference. Good luck and I hope your son is better able to sleep soon. Here are a few places with more info.
