Toddlers who shriek in the night - any advice?

[madamez]

DS is 2.4 and generally a good sleeper but lately he's been waking up once or twice in the night with a great shriek of anguish. Sometimes I get up and go and rub his back for a moment or two in order to settle him back to sleep, other times ha just gives the one banshee howl and goes straight back to sleep.
Admit this probably doesn't sound like much to those of you with little babies who are yelling most of the night, but it is doing my head in a bit as the shrieks do wake me and I can't always get back to sleep even when he does. Anyone any advice on why it's happening and how to prevent it?

I have no idea what causes it, but it's been taht way with all mine, I tend to assume they are dreaming. Can you close a door or something so that you aren't woken by every little noise? You really aren't going to be abl to prevent it.

They start dreaming proper dreams about this age, and often start talking in their sleep as well. As long as he's not distressed by it, then I dont' really think you ought to do anything to try and prevent it - people need to dream. If he's not upset then you need to get used to it and just accept that this is how your child sleeps. If he can settle himself back to sleep on his own, then it would be best if you allow that, even if you need to comfort him. Of course, if he is upset then you must comfort him.

Do LO start dreaming earlier than that cos I am convinced that my DS - 15 months - has started, he is waking up a couple of times and it sounds like scared crying IYKWIM. He goes back to sleep but only if I am in his room stroking his hair or rubbing his back.

DS ran a nightly horror show at this age, especially if he was a little bit ill or overtired. It extended to full-blown night terrors quite often, too. If he was still asleep we left him, as intervening during night terrors simply prolonged it. If he actually wakes by himself and needs comforting from nightmares, then fine, but otherwise I would leave him to it.

That is what I am trying to do but his Dad is sleeping in another room and as soon as he thinks I am not getting up he does, so kinda defeating the purpose....

Thanks. Reassured that it's normal, will just stuff head under pillow and then I'll only wake if he's badly upset.

Oops I mean stuff MY head under MY pillow....

omg its february!

ds is 7 months and does this. can they not dream this young then cos i just assumed he was dreaming?

Ho hum, last night was 2 episodes (at around 5am and around 6.30 am) that went on long enough for me to go in and gently stroke his back - which shuts him up - with just one single harrowing shriek somewhere in between.

Taking on board what's said about him dreaming and it being harmless, but kind of hoping he progresses through this stage...