Can any experienced (more experienced than me - 1st time mum) Mums advise me why DD is waking at night in real fear and distress?

[BooHooo]

DD is just 3 and healthwise hasn't been great lately. She has got over a nasty chest/ ear infection after AB seemed to pick up slowly.

The last 3 nights she is waking about 2 hours after bed really fearful. I ask her if she is in pain anywhere and she just can't vocalise although she is normally really great at telling me where it hurts and very vocal. I take her in with me and it takes her a while to settle into sleep which she does do cuddling me tightly. In the morning she is fine and doesn't seem bothered by the nights events.

This morning on the way to school she said her ear hurt her because she was "leaning on it". I asked her after a while if it was better now and she said yes but I don't know if that was because she wanted to go to school.

I thought if it were an ear infection she would not settle to sleep as I know from experience that causes her immense pain. Also she has just got over an ear infection so why would she get another so soon?

I am seeing the docs later this aft to check her ears but I wondered if anyone had any thoughts for an anxious Mother!

It could still be the ear infection y'know so rule that out first as you are going to this afternoon.

Beyond that, she could be having a little insecure patch as being poorly could have unsettled her.

I normally advise parents to be very consistent with the usual boundaries if their child is acting out following a period of stress such as illness as though the temptation is to be 'softer' than normal, what children really appreciate is everything being very 'tight ship' iyswim.

It could also be a coincidence and that she is having nightmares or night terrors which are common at her age and this has coincided with the tail end of a bout of illness.

HTH

Thank you HG really hoping no more infection, I thought it came with a fever?

What on earth are night terrors?

my dd used to have night terrors - she would seem awake but obviously wasn't really

she would be really terrified and difficult to comfort

Afaik, and I'm not medical expert, ear infections can classically cause dips and spikes in temp. Hope it isn't this but best to check it obviously.

Night terrors are like bad dreams but where the person wakes to semi consciousness, so they may wail or talk or walk because they appear almost awake but they are not and don't remember what happened in the morning.

As I say, very common.

I see that sounds like what is happening, she seems quite out of it really.

Thanks again you learn something new everyday with this parenting lark!