13 month old Waking up/Sitting up in the night

[Polarbear8]

Dear All,

My 13 month DD has been a brilliant sleeper since she was 4 months old. She doesn't crawl (is a bum shuffler) and is content playing with toys, and not overly inquisitive about the furniture etc.

Usually when I put her to sleep, she sleeps all night lying on her side or back. Last night, she unusally started crying at about 11pm (I put her down at 7pm) and when I checked on her, she was sitting bolt up right in her cot - the first time ever. She was awake, so I gave her a little cuddle and put her on her back and she settled herself back to sleep. This then repeated at 1am and around 4.15am. I put her down for her lunchtime nap today (12.30) and at 1.30pm she's sitting bold up right again. She refused to go back to sleep, just screaming and so upset that I go her up.

Her back teeth are coming thru and she's dribbling like a demon, so she's not 100% at the moment. But is this night terrors? Or is she a bit young for that? Also, as she's not overly active ie. rolling around on the floor, when she's sitting up in her cot, I don't think she knows how to lie back down again to go back to sleep. Any ideas as to what this is? I'm quite worried about her sudden change in behaviour, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
x

Both mine did this when they were learning something new physically - seemed compelled to practice at 3am. Both were movers though, and rubbish sleepers, but ime night terrors present as lots of thrashing around before they wake, and sometimes they don't wake up fully, though every kid different of course.

I can't really help with the sitting up, as mine have always sat up in waking if I don't get there fast enough.

On night terrors though, I think my twins had these for two consecutive nights when they first went to nurseryfor a full day

They would 'wake' crying in a scared/distressed way, thrashing about and fighting my attempts to hold them or feed them (breastfed, normally cures all ills). On closer inspection, their eyes were closed and I don't think they were awake. They each did this two or three times on each if the horrible nights, and I eventually learned that they settled much more quickly if I didn't hold them or try to help. Generally settled after 3 or 4 mins. Flippin' scary for me!

So, I don't think sitting up is a night terror. Maybe just a new skill being practises?

My DD is doing exactly the same thing. She's not too bad a night but terrible at nap times. She just sits up as soon as I lay her down, then crys like its involuntary.

I think, like your DD that she is just practicing a new skill. My DD has changed a lot recently, learning to crawl, to sit herself up, and being a lot more 'into' things.

From what I've read they do go through developmental phases like this, am just hoping it passes soon!!