Crying in sleep :-(

[WannabeWilloughby]

Hello,

My 3 year old (just turned 3) has started crying and talking in his sleep. It first happened a few nights ago and I went rushing in without thinking and woke him up, it then took about 2 hours to calm him down and get him back to sleep. Same thing happened last night and again he was still asleep. I did a bit of googling and it seems it can be common at his age and the advice is to leave them to cry and not touch them or talk to them at all.

I've just sat and listened to him crying and shouting and thrashing about for half an hour and it's broke my heart to think he's upset and I cant comfort him.

Has anybody any experience? How long did it last with your DC?

I should also add that these night terrors (if thats what they are) have coincided with him having an ear infection and dropping his afternoon nap....connected in anyway?

Any advice appreciated, thank you x

Has anybody been through this

could be a connection.

no experience of the same, but I couldn't read and run. sorry to hear

Awww thanks mumof6 xxx after the episode last night (where I left him alone) he settled off and had a lovely night's sleep. maybe a phase then?

thanks for your reply xx

Yes it does sound like night terrors, is it the first part of the night? We have this occasionally with DS since he turned about 2 (he's now 5). It's almost always when he's been overtired at bedtime. As you've discovered , best not to wake him- I usually stir him a little bit or sit and stroke his hair or just watch him till he settles again, normally doesn't take that long.

It is very upsetting to see but you do get a bit more used to it once its happened a few times. DS sometimes shakes and sweats, sobs or cries out, sometimes he's sitting up staring but not really looking at us. He's always ok in the morning though!

I try to make sure he gets to bed really early now if I know he's tired!

Thanks Tinier. It was horrible seeing him so upset.

Now you mention it he has been massively tired at bedtime (because he has dropped his afternoon nap)...maybe I'll try putting him to bed a little earlier until he adjusts to not having the nap.

Thanks for your reply x