Night terrors in toddlers: How to deal with night terrors in toddlers

What are night terrors?

Known as the mysterious disorder occurs in deep sleep, a night terror is not a dream, but almost similar to an unexpected reaction of fear that happens during conversion process from one other stage of sleeping. During a night terror, a child in this situation might suddenly sit up, jump out of bed and screamed loudly. Breathing and heart rate of the child may be faster, sweating, irritability and fear. Although his eye may be opened wide, he is not awake and not aware of your presence. After a few minutes, or maybe longer, the child gradually calms down and continued sleeping.

A night terror is  distinctly different from the common nightmares. Night terror is characterized by frequent tension and fear crying during sleep, which can cause difficulties for parents in caring for baby. Estimated that about 1% -6% of children are affected by fear at night. All children also seem equally affected. It is a disorder usually outgrown by adolescence.

The cause of night terrors

Night terrors can be caused by the following reasons:
Erratic sleep schedules
Changing habits (new siblings, started learning)
Too tired by life stresses
Sleep deprivation
The torture of sickness, fever
Preparations affecting the central nervous system (brain)
Using new drugs
Sleeping in a new environment or away from home

Symptoms of Night Terrors

Fast heartbeat, Fast breathing, Perspiration is common symptoms during night terrors. Night terror happens in only 3-6% of children, while almost every child will have a nightmare occasionally. Night terror often happens between the ages of 4 to 12, especially when children 18 months and older. A child may have one or more nights terrorism. Most of the time, night terrors simply disappear when the mature neurological.

How to deal with night terrors of your toddler

Of course, your first instinct is to console your child, but your efforts will probably be useless. Do not try to shake or startle him awake or control him - which make him more agitated and disoriented. Adjust the soft light and spoke to him in a soft voice.  Within 10 to 30 minutes, your child will calm down and will sleep deeply again.

Prevent night terrors

Night terrors of toddlers can be very frustrating for parents, who might feel helpless for not being able to appease or to ease your child. The best way to handle a night terror is to wait it out patiently and make sure the children do not get hurt by the pedal down, struggling. Children will usually calm down and sleep again immediately afterwards. It's best not to try to wake kids during a night terror. These efforts are not working, and the kids do rise is likely to be disoriented and confused, and may take longer to settle down and go back to sleep. There is no treatment for night terrors, but you can help prevent them. Please try the following methods:

Make your child's room is safe to try to prevent children from being injured
Remove all causes of sleep disturbances.
Maintaining a simple  and relax  bedtime routine
Ensure your child is resting in moderation and adequate
Go to the doctor to have the right medical treatment
Antidepressants may be used as a temporary treatment
Record a diary when they occur, then awaken your child 15 minutes before that time to help prevent them. This can change  his sleep patterns enough to prevent terrorist overnight.

Understanding terror night may decrease your concern - and help you get a good night's sleep for your baby as well as whole family. Regardless of our efforts, the fears of the child will be continuing, or you have any other concerns about your child’s sleep, you can refer to the help pediatricians to counsel a good sleep for your child.

7/07/2015