Have you ever had your little one wake up in the night screaming and crying and you just cannot find a way to comfort them? And then all of a sudden they curl up and seem content and quiet?
Your little one just had a night terror.
Have you ever had your little one wake up in the night crying and you can comfort them? You can talk to them and tell them everything is ok and then they snuggle up and go back to sleep?
Your little one just had a night mare.
The biggest difference between a nightmare and a night terror is that with a nightmare your child is aware that it is happening, they remember it and fully wake up from it. With a night terror you little one will not remember it.
Another way to know if it is a night terror is that it will usually happen in the first 3-4 hours of the night.
Night terrors can be so terrifying for us as parents. Not being able to comfort our little ones and seeing them afraid is so hard on us. But you can be sure that by just holding your little one and being there is enough and all you can do during this time. You can also find some comfort in knowing your little one will not remember it.
If you are ever unsure whether your child's night disturbances are normal or not, don't hesitate to reach out to your child's doctor.
Sleep Easy,
Lorraine
