Does Your Child Have Night Terrors?

Child tucked into bed with white covers you’ve ever been woken at night by your child screaming and thrashing in bed only to realize they’re still asleep, chances are your child is experiencing a night terror. While these episodes are alarming to witness, they are usually not causing concern. It is much harder on the parent to watch [a night terror] than it is on the child to experience it, days Dr. Amita Phadnis, CMD and HOD of Pediatrics and Neonatology department at Oyster and Pearl Hospital, Pune.

What are night terrors?

Night terrors are a fear reaction that disrupts sleep. They generally occur during the first third of the night as your child transitions from the deepest stage of sleep to a lighter one.
During a night of terror, your child may:
Sit upright
Shout or flail
Be unaware of their surroundings
Not respond when spoken to
Sweat, breath very fast, have a rapid heart rate and dilated pupils

How are night terrors different from nightmares?

Night terrors are often confused with nightmares. A key difference is that children often wake up during nightmares and remember each scary detail. That’s because nightmares occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep when your child is dreaming.

During night terrors, children remain in a deep, non-dreaming stage of sleep, even though they may appear to be awake. They have no memory of the night terror when they wake up the next morning because night terrors have no mental images associated with them.

As children don’t remember these episodes, it’s best not to describe or reenact them, either to your child or within their earshot.
Night terrors do not create a visual memory, so your child cannot describe what triggered the episode “But children are observant and if their caregiver retells a scary nighttime event, it can scare the child.”

What triggers night terrors?

Night terrors are most common in children ages 4-12 and often disappear entirely by the time a child reaches their teens. While night terrors tend to happen randomly, the tendency to have them may run in families.

Night terrors may be triggered by:

Caffeine
Medications
Illness
Being overtired
Sleeping in a new environment

What should I do while my child is having a night of terror?

As a parent, your natural instinct may be to console your child. But waking your child from a night terror may disorient and confuse them. Remember, your child is in a deep sleep and will have no memory of the episode.

It is recommended to stay nearby your child – to ensure they are safe – until the night terror passes. Most episodes don’t last more than a few minutes.

Children with night terrors may also sleepwalk. If your child sleepwalks (or has in the past) make sure all entryway doors and windows are locked and that the sleeping environment is safe each night before bedtime.

Is there anything I can do to prevent night terrors?

Being overtired or feeling stress are known triggers for night terrors. It is recommended that parents try the following to calm and relax their children before bedtime:

Make time for young children to nap during the day so they don’t get overtired.
Create a calming and simple nighttime routine, such as a warm bath and a book or puzzle before bed.
Stick to a consistent bedtime for your child.
If your child experiences repeated night terrors or other sleep-related issues, such as snoring, sleepwalking, or bedwetting.

Rest assured: Most children outgrow night terrors. And when that happens, the entire household will sleep more soundly.

Stay in Touch

Talk to our expert Dr. Amita Phadnis, with 35+ years of experience in Pediatrics and Neonatology. Get expert guidance on your child’s health, growth, development, and overall well-being. For advanced newborn care and specialized pediatric services, trust ONP Hospitals, the Best Neonatal Care Hospital in Pune, offering comprehensive care for newborns, infants, and children.

FAQ’s

1. What are night terrors in children?

Night terrors are episodes of intense fear, screaming, crying, or agitation that occur during deep sleep. Children may appear awake but are usually unaware of their surroundings and often do not remember the episode the next morning.

2. Does your child have night terrors every night?

Night terrors can occur occasionally or more frequently in some children. While occasional episodes are common, frequent night terrors may require evaluation by a pediatrician.

3. What causes night terrors in children?

Night terrors can be triggered by sleep deprivation, stress, anxiety, fever, irregular sleep schedules, certain medications, or a family history of sleep disorders.

4. At what age do night terrors usually occur?

Night terrors are most common in children between the ages of 3 and 12 years and often improve as the child grows older.

5. How are night terrors different from nightmares?

Night terrors occur during deep non-REM sleep, and children usually do not remember them. Nightmares occur during REM sleep, and children often recall the dream after waking up.

6. What are the signs that a child has night terrors?

Common signs include sudden screaming, crying, sweating, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, confusion, and difficulty being comforted during sleep.

7. Should I wake my child during a night terror?

No. It is generally not recommended to wake a child during a night terror. Instead, ensure their safety and allow the episode to pass naturally.

8. When should I consult a doctor for my child’s night terrors?

Consult a pediatrician if night terrors occur frequently, disrupt sleep significantly, lead to injury, persist into adolescence, or are accompanied by other unusual symptoms.

9. How can I help prevent night terrors in my child?

Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, ensuring adequate sleep, reducing stress, creating a calming bedtime routine, and managing illnesses promptly may help reduce night terrors.

10. Can night terrors be a sign of an underlying medical condition?

In some cases, night terrors may be associated with sleep disorders, anxiety, neurological conditions, or other medical issues that require professional evaluation.