Are these night terrors?

[nicolewi]

My 4.5 year old has woken up a few times recently just crying and crying. When you try to talk to her, she sometimes seems awake, but not REALLY awake. She often just cries and stares instead of responding to questions, but sometimes she will respond or say something intelligible. Last night she woke up crying but wouldn't/couldn't seem to react to me in any normal way. Said she had to go to the bathroom. I checked on her, and there were a couple piles of TP on the floor and it was like she didn't really know how to wipe, although she insisted she did and got super upset when I tried to help (obviously she usually wipes just fine). Eventually we got her back in bed and she fell asleep. At my parents' house in June the same type of thing happened, and she said "I'm awake" when I told my mom that I didn't think she was really awake, but she also was talking about her brother being stuck (he was fine--sleeping) and was looking afraid of something on the ceiling. Good thing they don't live in an old spooky farmhouse! One time in spring it was like she was sleepwalking. She walked into our room crying but wouldn't really say anything and I just walked her back to bed.

She doesn't remember this stuff in the morning. Are these night terrors?

[momin2013]

I'd say it sounds like it. From what I've read, they tend to happen more when a child is overtired. I 'think' DS had one once, but he was not quite 2 (so not as verbal as he is now at 4.5), and mostly just cried uncontrollably while seeming "awake", but not really talking. It's only happened that one time, though.

[gastro]

It sounds like it. If it is its developmentally normal and she will outgrow. I would definitely keep track of it and mention to pedi at her next visit but would not be worried or alarmed.

[Deleted]

I think so. This happens to ds once in awhile, he looks awake but isn't, is crying and agitated, and usually we gently guide him back to bed or lie with him. I used to sleep walk a lot when I was a kid and I think that's similar.

[sju]

Yes, it sounds like it. DS had awful night terrors but he eventually outgrew them. The best advice the pedi gave us was to go to his room before the time he would typically get the night terrors and softly wake him up, and let him fall back asleep. Also, good rest is important. Good luck.

[Deleted]

Our big DS does this once a week or so. Pedi said night terrors. The more we try to engage him, the more agitated he gets--we have to leave him alone and like pp said, try to make sure he can go to the bathroom (he usually screams the whole way there and back and never remembers a thing in the morning). Other nights he will just get up and go to the bathroom by himself without any screaming...but when he's upset, we just take him and try to put him back as quickly and quietly as possible. You have my sympathies :0P

[happymum]

Jul 21, 2017 12:43:11 GMT -5 momin2013 said:

I'd say it sounds like it. From what I've read, they tend to happen more when a child is overtired. I 'think' DS had one once, but he was not quite 2 (so not as verbal as he is now at 4.5), and mostly just cried uncontrollably while seeming "awake", but not really talking. It's only happened that one time, though.

I agree! Same with my kids. They always end up crying at night when they're too exhausted. I just talk to them and say mums here, im here, stop crying. then they go back to sleep.