Child sleep
Night terrors in children: what causes them and how parents can respond
Night terrors can be frightening for parents. Learn how to recognise them, what to do at night and when medical advice is useful.
Night terrors clearly explained
Your child suddenly screams in the middle of the night, may sit up in bed, look frightened, sweat or move restlessly – and still does not seem fully awake. For parents, this can be very alarming. Often, this is what is commonly called night terrors.
The most important thing first: night terrors often look more dramatic to parents than they feel for the child. Many children do not remember them the next morning. Still, it helps to understand what is happening, how night terrors differ from nightmares and when medical advice is sensible.
Night terrors usually frighten the parents more than the child. The key is to stay calm, keep the child safe and wait.
Typical signs of night terrors
A night terror is usually a sudden and intense episode from sleep. A child may scream, cry, sit up, sweat or stare blankly. They often respond very little to words and cannot be comforted in the same way as after a normal bad dream.
- sudden screaming or crying from sleep,
- sitting up without being fully awake,
- a blank or confused look,
- sweating, rapid heartbeat or fast breathing,
- pushing away comfort or being hard to reach,
- falling asleep again after the episode,
- no memory the next morning.
Night terrors and nightmares compared
| Feature | Night terrors | Nightmares |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | often in the first hours after falling asleep | more often later in the night |
| Awareness | child looks awake but is barely responsive | child is usually truly awake |
| Comfort | comfort often helps little or increases unrest | closeness and talking usually help |
| Memory | usually no memory | child may remember the dream |
At what age do night terrors happen?
Night terrors are most common in toddlers and preschool children. They are often seen roughly between the ages of two and six. In many children, these partial arousals disappear on their own as they grow older.
Not every night-time cry is a night terror. Babies may wake for many reasons: hunger, closeness, teething, illness, a full nappy, overtiredness or developmental changes. To understand unsettled baby sleep phases, our article on sleep regression may also help.
What can trigger night terrors?
There is not always one clear cause. Several factors may come together. Night terrors can be more likely with:
- Overtiredness: Too little sleep or a very busy day can make sleep less stable.
- Fever or illness: Sleep may become more restless.
- Strong impressions: Big changes, exciting days or stress can affect sleep.
- Irregular bedtimes: Very changeable routines can make some children more sensitive.
- Predisposition: Some children are more prone to partial arousals than others.
If your child often seems very tired or exhausted by bedtime, it may be worth checking the right sleep duration for children.
How to respond during night terrors
The most important step is often the hardest: stay calm. Your child may look frightened but is not fully awake. Abrupt waking, shaking or too many stimuli can make the episode worse.
- Stay nearby and speak quietly.
- Make the surroundings safe so your child cannot fall or bump into things.
- Do not hold your child tightly if they resist, unless there is danger of injury.
- Avoid bright light, loud voices and hectic movement.
- Wait until the episode fades on its own.
What may help prevent night terrors?
Night terrors cannot always be prevented, but calmer sleep conditions may help.
- regular bedtimes,
- a calm evening routine,
- less screen time and excitement before bed,
- enough sleep for the child’s age,
- a safe sleep environment,
- a relaxed response to night-time episodes.
Medical advice: when assessment makes sense
Occasional night terrors are usually not a cause for concern. Seek medical advice if episodes are very frequent, if there is a risk of injury, if your child is very tired during the day, if unusual movements occur or if you are unsure whether it really is night terrors.
Conclusion: night terrors look frightening but are often harmless
Night terrors can deeply unsettle parents. In many cases, however, they are temporary and harmless partial arousals. You help your child most by staying calm, keeping the surroundings safe and not trying to end the episode with pressure.
Frequently asked questions about “Night terrors in children: what causes them and how parents can respond”
Night terrors are partial arousals in which a child screams, moves or sits up from deep sleep without being fully awake. The child is often barely responsive and usually does not remember the episode in the morning.
Occasional night terrors are usually not dangerous. The main concern is safety during the episode. If they are very frequent, unsafe or highly distressing, medical advice is useful.
In most cases it is better not to wake the child abruptly. They may not be fully responsive and too much reaction can increase unrest. Stay calm nearby and keep the surroundings safe.
After a nightmare, a child is usually awake, seeks comfort and may remember the dream. During night terrors, the child may look awake but is hard to reach and usually has no memory.
Night terrors are common in toddlers and preschool children, often roughly between two and six years of age. They can also occur earlier or later.
Possible triggers include overtiredness, fever, restless sleep, stress, strong impressions or a general predisposition. Often there is not one single cause.
Enough sleep, a calm bedtime routine, regular bedtimes and a safe sleep environment may help. During an episode, stay calm and protect your child from injury.
Seek medical advice if episodes are very frequent, there is risk of injury, your child is very tired during the day or you are unsure whether it really is night terrors.
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