Does your child sometimes wake screaming with his/her eyes open but clearly not recognising you?
Well your child isn't dreaming - he's experiencing a night terror. During a night terror, a child will partially wake, terrified, from a deep sleep usually early in the night. He'll be very frightened and will remember nothing the next day. Night Terrors are fairly common and tend to run in families.
During a night terror your toddler won't recognise you or respond to you, even if he has his eyes open. He may scream, shake, lash out and run around. Boys are more prone to night terrors, which usually start in the toddler years and last until the early teens. They are usually infrequent and stop on their own.
When you're dealing with night terrors, it's important to stay calm. Settle your child back in bed and stay quietly with him until he quietens down. Never wake your child as it can frighten him, and don't shout at him or shake him. It's impossible to 'snap' a child out of a night terror and as night terrors can last up to an hour, try to be patient.
If your child is prone to night terrors, then provide him/her with a safe place to sleep. Pick up toys, lock or bar the windows and use a stair gate. The golden rule is never to put children who have night terrors on the top bunk!
If your child is likely to be left at night with babysitters and other people, warn them in advance so they don't overreact.
Although he may seem too young for it, your child could be suffering from stress. Try your best to find out what's worrying him but don't mention the night terrors. That might worry him, especially as he probably doesn't remember them. Make sure he isn't overtired, reacting to medicines or suffering from a food allergy. Continual night terrors can be a sign of illness so seek medical advice especially if you notice any evidence ofdrooling, jerking or stiffening during the terror.
March 2008
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