6 month old inconsolably crying in sleep

[LDriver1]

At 2am my 6 month old started hysterically screaming/crying in his sleep. He did this for a few minutes before I could truly wake him so could calm him.

once awake he was startled but smiling etc. what could cause this? Was so upsetting to see as never done this before and never cries during day.

Hi . It could possibly be what my daughter has. It started before she was 2 - crying , looking absolutely terrified in her sleep and I wasn’t able to console as I could in the daytime . Her eyes were open but didn’t look like herself . When she woke up she was fine . I asked the doctor and baby nurse about it as she got older and they said it was probably night terrors.
My daughter is now 10 and still gets it occasionally - throws her body around and cries and looks terrified . After 5 -10 mins she goes back to sleep normally . The next day she doesn’t remember a thing.

And I must add it is really upsetting for us to watch . That’s what made me think it could be the same

@Mislou My dd gets night terrors occasionally too. It is upsetting but children wake up fine and relaxed.

However, 6 months is too young for night terrors. Night terrors usually occur in young children not babies.

@LDriver1 I would consult a doctor about this. Something could be causing your baby distress.

Oh , I did wonder that. Yes, 6 months is really young .

Night terrors. Very distressing to see. Is there a history of sleep disturbances in the family like sleepwalking or night terrors? My DD was less than 12 months old when she started having them.

As others have said its probably night terrors or dreams. My dc has been doing this since he was tiny.

No history of any sleep issues in the family. I did think 6 months was too young for night terrors. It has only ever happened once before but this one was hard as we couldn’t seem to wake him.

we have started weaning so could be an upset tummy from something he ate and also he is teething but just wanted to see other peoples experience of babies this age having this happen.

Oh, he’s teething. Any pain relief would have worn off by 2am. But then if it were teething pain he’d be a bit grizzly when awake. But he seemed happy. It was only one night so maybe just keep an eye on it for the next few nights. If it is reoccurring then it wouldn’t hurt to consult a doctor.

Way too young for night terrors, if he's teething and just started weaning it's obviously some sort of pain/discomfort from his tummy or his teeth. Wouldn't think anymore of it

Probably a bit of trapped wind or something that happened in a dream, or a reflex.

Teething, ear infection, etc