How to Handle Your Child's Night Terrors
Worry no more parents of children with night terrors. I will tell you how to get them out of it within minutes.
Night terrors usually occur in children between the ages of 2-5 years of age. Although not known exactly what triggers them, stress and being overly tired are two direct reasons why children suffer from night terrors. Children with night terrors will sit up straight in their bed, eyes usually wide open and loud screams. If left alone, night terrors can last anywhere from two minutes to 20 minutes. I personally have stopped them under five minutes since learning how to.
First thing you need to remember when your child wakes up with a night terror is that they are still asleep. Do not think, that telling them to wake up is going to wake them up, the more you try the more they freak out.
Once you realize that your child is having a night terror, make sure that there is nothing around them that they can hurt themselves with. Remove the covers off of them, keeping the covers on them seems to make the night terror intensify. Try and sit them up on your lap and cradle them as if they were a baby again. This gives them a sense of security. Once you have them calmed down enough, bring them into the bathroom and wet their face.
If you have a child that does not calm down at all during a night terror, then the best thing to do is to keep a spray bottle filled with water very close to their bed. When the night terror begins, spray the water into their face until they begin to wake up. You will immediately notice a change in their attitude. They will become less upset and more then likely fall right back to sleep.
Always try and stay calm during your child's night terror. The more anxious you are, the more anxious your child will become. Stay calm, cool and collective until the night terror has passed.
To learn more about night terrors, please visit the Night Terror Resource Center.
Published by Jeanne Marie Kerns
My passion is writing. Helping those in need get their message out is something I strive for. I love to interview those who do not feel that what they have to say is not being heard. My hand is the extension... View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentMy child has been showing signs of night terrors recently. I also know someone who still has them as an adult, which is very rare. I'm not sure I would ever think to spray them with water, though. Interesting.
This is interesting. I found the part about the spray and covers enlightening. Perhaps, they are simply too warm too. I frequently have incredibly horrid nightmares if the room is too warm. To stop them and sleep peacefully I have to cool down and drink a glass of cold water.