Night Terrors?

[BigSister]

My 2 year old, who has never had any sleeping problems before, suddenly woke up last night screaming and clearly terrified. She slept with me and DD after 15 mins of trying to calm her down. This afternoon, she refused to have her nap in her cot, and once again screamed as if she were absolutely terrrified, clinging on to me and DH. Please, does anyone know what is best to do? Should she sleep again with us tonight and hope this passes or do we have to insist she sleeps in her cot?

I imagine she had a bad dream as night terrors are'nt normally remembered, but night terrors are still possible, my sister used to have them until mum discovered it only happened when she had had Benelin cough syrup.

Typically night terrors happen within 2 to 3 hours of falling asleep - so usually before midnight, whereas nightmares are typically after midnight. This is just due to the different sleep phases.

As Waterfalls says - they never remember a night terror - but almost always remember a bad dream or a nightmare.

This definitely sounds like a bad dream rather than a terror. I would be gentle with her as she sounds scared - maybe let her sleep with you tonight - if she is upset again. Have you asked her what is worrying her - she may be frightened of a picture or particular toy in her room, my dd was frightened of her mobile at one point and pointed it at it when I asked her - removing it solved that particular problem !

Good Luck !

My ds (who is 6) has night terrors and he has no recollection of them the next day. I thought dd was getting them too recently (she is 3) but realised that it was 'just' a nightmare as it still haunted her afterwards. I think the best thing to do is to try and get her back into her normal routine as soon as possible or else she'll forget what the dream was about but just associate something bad with going to bed. That said, if she is hysterical and refuses to get in her cot I really wouldn't push it as it would be too distressing for her and you. Can you reassure her that you will stay with her whilst she falls asleep?

Thanks, it has passed.
DD is happy and back in her own bed again!
Phew!