20 month old sudden screaming in the night

[slightlyconfused85]

Three times this week. at different times, my DD with no warning has started screaming at the top of her lungs a terrified sounding scream with no build up. We've been in and comforted her, and she's not been too difficult to get back to sleep so I don't think it's teething or illness. She is definitely awake although only half iykwim. It's taken 15-30mins for one of us to get her back to sleep so not up all night or anything but I am still finding it odd as she is usually a reliable sleeper on the whole. Is this the start of nightmares? Has anyone experienced soemthing similar?

Google 'night terrors'. DD1 started at about 22 months. If it sounds like it might be then there are very specific things you can do to help and to try to avoid them. Try not to talk to get or touch her to much as this can freak her out and make it worse. I found that not turning lights on and whispering/shushing very quietly was effective. We're just coming out the other side at 4.5 yrs, so I hope for your same that it isn't this!

Thanks singsong for the advice. Will see whether tis looks like what she is having.