Is my 2.5 yo having night terrors??

[drivinmecrazy]

DD2 is 2 1/2, and for last three months has been waking in the early hours and coming into my bed (not a problem during week as DH works away), very rarely wakes when daddy is home. Lately, she is waking and coming into my bed, and lying next to me screaming. She won't let me cuddle her or comfort her. If I try too hard to comfort her she will get out of bed and lie on the floor. Sometimes she seems half asleep when she does this, so i try to make sure she is fully awake. Last night I had to bring her down stairs to calm her down so she didn't wake DD1 who had to go to school. Can't remember last time I had a whole week of unbroken nights. Wake up every morning feeling as if I have a huge hang over. MIL came to stay few weeks ago as I had to go into hospital for operation, but she didn't wake up once. Is there some correlation between me being here on my own and her waking up??

[drivinmecrazy]

Really would appreciate some insight as to what is going on in her head, and how I can help her

[fryalot]

Dd2 had nightmares and night terrors and what you describe about screaming and not letting you cuddle her or comfort her sounds very much like night terrors.

They are really frightening whilst they are happening and in all honesty, I don't know how you should deal with them. We just held her until she calmed down and went back to sleep. She never remembered having them the next day, although she did remember her nightmares. They are different things.

Dd2 grew out of them in time.

Sorry I don't have any practical advice for you. Don't know if there is any connection between your DH not being there.

[Smamfa]

Sorry, can't really help. Bumping for you. Seem to remember this is about the right age for night terrors to start. Is there a sleep clinic near you? Our local HV used to run one.

[drivinmecrazy]

Sleep clinic sounds interesting, but am really relucatant to go to HV, because she only seems to advise the obvious, and am paranoid about asking her advice as before when I asked advice for her awful daytime behaviour a while ago she insisted on a follow up visit, as if I wasn't coping. Only asked for advice on her aggression towards her older sister (now thankfully resolved)

[Smamfa]

There were posters up for our local one in Drs surgery. Maybe discuss with Doctor?

[dilbertina]

My dd started having night terrors at about 3. From what I've read Night terrors are more common earlier in sleep cycle ie a couple of hours after bed-time. My dd generally gets them at around 9.30pm. Despite this though the rest does sound quite night terrorish - not wanting to be touched - asleep with eyes open etc. does she remember anything? commonly there is no recollection of night terrors.

No solutions i've found yet, but I have found dd seems worse if she is extra tired or had espec. busy day. My dd and ds share a room and heaven knows how he sleeps through it! It does seem to merely extend the whole thing if we try too hard to comfort her as it just winds her up more she needs to come out of it in her own time - it is distressing though being unable to comfort her.

[fordfiesta]

ds has had night terror for last 6 months (now 2.5). He never gets up and walks around with them though.... will just lie in bed screaming and kicking,it is to dangerous to pick him up as he struggles so much. As delbertina said they are usually within 2/3 hours of falling asleep.
I have to just sit by his bed and wait for it to end (sometimes 5 mins but has been as long as 30).
he has probably had about 10 in six months.... does not seem to be something he does on a regular basis.... ie three in one week and then nothing for four weeks.
My health visitor is really helpful, she gave me loads of handouts on them so it might be worth asking if they have any.

[fordfiesta]

reading your thread again.... it does seem rather habitual for her ie only doing it when you are on your own etc. ds has had them with both me and mum and although his eyes are open he is staring straight ahead and can not fixate on anything. I think the info i was given said do not attempt to wake, i used to try and wake him before i knew this and it definately made things worse.

[drivinmecrazy]

She will sometimes walk into my room and just lay on the floor and scream, do you think I should just leave her there then? Am begining to think she walks from her bedroom to mine while still half asleep. She has gone to sleep in my bed tonight, don't know whether to risk putting her back in her bed or just leave her in mine. Feel really clueless as never had any sleep issues with DD1

[fordfiesta]

it is hard isn't it. is she sleep walking? ds does that as well except he does not scream at all with it, infact it is more scary when he sleep walks as it is so silent.
AM TEMPTED TO SAY IF SHE IS JUST WALKING IN AND SCREAMING SHE IS DOING IT BECAUSE SHE KNOWS SHE WILL GET A REACTION AND A COSY NIGHT IN YOUR BED(sorry bout the caps pressed the wrong button) but having been in the position you are (ie knackered) i would probably give in and let her in my bed as well.
When i read the info on night terrors ds was text book.... your dd does not sound text book (if you see what i mean) it really would help you to get some info or hv advice just so you can compare her behaviour with what the books say.

[fryalot]

There is a strong link (apparently) between sleep walking and night terrors.

Also a link if one of the parents is/was a sleepwalker

[thebeanmonster]

night terrors.Best advice I had was to note the time these happen, usually around the same time each night, and gently wake child a few minutes before she would waken anyway don't keep at her till she is wide awake just enough to disrupt sleep cycle then just kiss goodnight and leave her to sleep soundly till morning.
It worked for DD and DS,after a few weeks they will have outgrown this stage and you won't need to shake them at midnight or whenever.