Nightmares for Toddlers?

It sounds like it's possibly night terrors to me. Both of my kids have had them around that same age. It's like they are awake but they aren't really even if their eyes are open. My kids often acted like they didn't recognize us. It is common, the pediatrician even asked if my daughter was having them yet at her 15 mo. appointment. She has had a few.

My son would scream until we gave him warm milk (bottle/sippy) and then drink it and fall back asleep. My daughter won't take her bottle until she has calmed down--it's hard to know what works. A few times lying next to me on the couch or bed has calmed her and then she will drink her bottle and calmly fall asleep in her crib.

You may want to research night terrors to find out what other methods work. Good luck.

AE

Yes, most kids will go through this stage.

The question is whether or not he's having nightmares, night terrors or if he has something physically wrong (such as teething, ear infection, etc) that may be causing this.

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/presch...

It's also completely possible that his natural development has him in a place in which he's changing his sleep patterns and is able to cognitively recognize things he hasn't been able to previously.

I'm personally not a fan of crying it out for many reasons, so my preference is to let them in bed with me and let everyone get a better night's sleep. Just my own opinion.

Good luck.

Hi J.. It's probably not nightmares. According to Pediatrician Dr. Spock, children begin having nightmares between the ages of 3 -- 6. Your son is still a little young. So I would think that your son is having other issues. Thankfully, it doesn't sound like it's anything too serious.

I've heard that once you put your child in bed with you, it's really tough to get him out. As for the pacifier, I don't have any advice. Is it too early to wean from the pacifier?? Hopefully other Moms can tell you what they did with this issue.

Once you've ruled out any pain, health, or "change" issues (has his bedroom been changed?, did one of you go out of town?, did he get a new babysitter? etc.) you may have to consider if he is simply "upping the ante" on wanting to get out of his crib and be awake. You are NOT wrong for wanted to get him adjusted again! Everyone, including Mom and Dad, deserves and requires healthy sleep! Once you figure out what the new cry is all about, you and your hubby can make the decision on how to handle. However, if you are still confused about what his issue might be, you may need to implement "gradual extinction" (so you can go in and check on him) instead of the traditional CIO.

sounds like night terrors.
The easiest way to solve these is to increase their sleep amount. Make sure that he is getting enough naps and nighttime sleep - he should be getting 12 hours at night and 3 hours at nap. Usually this solves the issue immediately.

If that doesn't help and his night mares/terrors are at the same exact time every night, wake him up a half hour prior to that time for 4 days in a row. This will reset his body and they will disappear usually.

I think you have figured out what is going on....new teeth. I would call the pediatrician's office and ask what they suggest for helping your child manage the pain of teeth coming in and still get his needed sleep and your needed sleep too!

We have a 2 year old and went through the same thing. She had been sleeping from 7:30-6:30 and one day it stopped. She would wake up screaming and yelling. I called my doctor to ask if these could be nightmares or was it teeth. She told me it wasn't uncommon for children this age (she was about 16-18 months) to start having nightmares. She told me to just rub her back to assure her she wasn't alone make sure she had her favorite blanket and walk out. The doctor told me not to turn on the lights kiss her or say a word because that would reinforce the behavior. She assured me it would stop and it did. We live in a condo too so I understand not wanting to bother neighbors. On the nights where she just wouldn't stop I would sit in the living room in the dark with no tv and console her. It did pass! My girlfriend would let her son sleep with her when it started and 6 moths later he is still sleeping in her bed. Good luck!

Keep in mind that MANY times, a child/baby/toddler has multiple things going on at that SAME time... so its not easy for them. It can range from teething to growth-spurts/hunger, to developmental changes, to separation-anxiety, illness, and yes, Night-Terrors or Night-mares (these are 2 different things. Look it up online).
But, ALL of these things, tweaks their sleep.

To me, when a child is going through these things.. .it is the wrong timing, for sleep "methods" or crying it out or "expecting" them to cope by themselves. At junctures like this, they need the parent.. and help in adjusting and coping. Its all about timing and the child's cues and what they need. They cannot always fit into what 'we' think about how they 'should' sleep.

As for his pacifier... put SEVERAL pacifiers in his crib... that way, he can "find" one and use it. Versus only 1 in the crib and it being all or nothing. That is what we did for my son.

If he is teething, the molars hurt more. Try using teething tablets, or let him chew on things.

Also does he nap? Lack of naps also makes a child over-tired and it actually makes them have a harder time sleeping and they wake more.

This is not the only age in which sleep tweaks/difficulties will occur for a child.

All the best,
Susan

Sounds like something that I went through with my son. Come to find out he had an ear infection. He had no other symptoms, only waking up at night screaming! Good luck!

If it makes you feel any better, I am going through the SAME exact thing. My son will be 19 months in a week. He has slept through the night from 7 weeks and has always been an excellent sleeper/napper. He is still napping without a problem (anywhere between 2-4 hours a day). His bedtime is between 7-7:30 and he wakes anytime between 7-8. His screaming occurs during his nighttime sleep, not during naptime. He too has all of his teeth and still sleeps with a pacifier, which is in his mouth when this all occurs.

The past few weeks have been a complete nightmare, literally. The screaming on the top of his lungs, which of course scares us, but when we check in on him, he falls right back to sleep. Its the weirdest thing. This happens about 4 times a night. We too live in a condo, which faces a courtyard. With the warm weather, our windows have been open which means the whole courtyard can hear him. It's stressful on us because we're so concerned with our neighbors, but if we were in a house, we'd let him self soothe and put himself back to sleep. I'm really worried about him even though everything I've read says this is normal.

I know this didn't give you an answer, but thought it might make you feel a bit better to know you are not alone. I just hope this ends soon!

My son is 22 months and we have been having sleep issues. I have read other posts regarding the same thing with toddlers. I think at this time it's just another change. My son has been an awesome napper and sleeper until recently now some days he naps and others he doesn't. Bedtime is hit or miss. Same with middle of night, sometimes he sleeps through the night and other times he comes to our room. It was stressing me out, and now I am just trying to be flexible (we're expecting baby #2 in the next week). It may be a combination of teething, growing, and lack of sleep (if he is getting less sleep than usual). I have read limiting daytime naps may help, also try putting him to sleep earlier. My son uses a pacifier too and I try to leave at least two near his pillow in case he loses his he can search for another. If you think it's his teeth have you considered giving him some tylenol before bed? Sounds like you're being a supportive mommy, things will get better.

If you think it may be teething, try some Motrin before bed. It can take the edge off and keep him from waking up due to the pain. My son is 23 months and has been "getting" his molars in for about 5 months now. I am also a cry it out mom, but give the Motrin first so that I know if there is something more going on or not. Lately it has been a growth spurt and cats. :)