Help - hysterical 18 month old

[firstimemamma]

For context, my baby is usually a good sleeper - 7pm - 7am uninterrupted but every so often might wake but then soon go back to sleep once I've been to comfort him without too much fuss e.g if poorly or teething.

Yesterday he woke up absolutely hysterical at 4am and wouldnt go back to sleep. Tried everything we could think of - offering water, teething gel, trying to hold him, checked his temperature as well as that of the room, nappy change. Nothing worked besides him eventually calming down slightly as time wore on but I think that was just out of exhaustion bless him. At 6am we gave up trying and took him downstairs to start the day.

At 4:15 this morning he woke up absolutely beside himself again and I've tried everything again but nothing has helped him - again! I'm worried it's going to be tears until 6am.

Any advice gratefully accepted. Please no blunt or rude comments. I feel helpless.

Could it be night terrors? Does he seem properly awake? 2 of ours had this and it was dreadful. Only thing that helped was when they fell asleep again, seemed to ‘reset’ them.
If not, could be teeth, ears....
I would give cal pop in case of teeth. And a hug for you.

Thanks @TreesSandSea . Yeah he's very much wide awake and howling. Occasionally stopping for the odd ten seconds to catch his breath. It's the fact that he's worse when held or rocked - that's what I hate the most. Usually when he wakes at night I can take some comfort from knowing I can reassure him and do something to help. Thanks for posting.

Oh you poor thing. And poor him too. So there is something amiss, but he can’t tell you what. As I said, I’d give him some calpol and a cup of milk in case he’s got pain somewhere and then see if he settles a bit more. Have you got a spare bed you can take him in with you? Or into your bed? I know some worry it will set a bad habit but with my three we did what felt right at the time and we never had any bad long term sleep from any of them. Good luck! And remember- it will pass!

It kind of does sound like night terrors to me; the going from 0-60 screaming and not wanting to be held. DS does seem awake, but seems a bit glazed when we has them. For DS we need to get him to focus on something. Bring him outside of it IYSWIM. That's been having a drink, getting him to have a wee, but most successful has been putting a cartoon on. He settles into watching it within 5 or so minutes and falls asleep watching it after another 5.

Thank you for the replies.

Trying him in our bed hadn't occurred to me, might try if it happens again.

I googled night terrors but it says they only last a few mins at a time? Anyway that was just one website, I totally get that it could be that.

Thanks again.

How many teeth does he have? Our DS has a terrible sleep regression at 18 months (lasting about 6 weeks 😭) after previously sleeping like an angel since 6 months old. It stopped all of a sudden and then a few months later he popped out about 6 teeth almost over night without a murmur! They shift around in the gum a bit before they protrude and can cause pain. You might just have to wait it out.

Thank you, that's worth having in mind! Oh dear 6 weeks is a long time!

DS's night terrors lasted much longer than a few minutes.

Night terrors went on for 30 mins plus for two of ours. But they did seem different than just normal crying and I could tell they were not ‘really awake’ if you know what I mean. They were wide-eyed and screaming, but not really ‘there’. I used to have to get DH in with me when they had night terrors because they used to act like they were possessed, looking ‘through’ us etc. Was terrifying for me too - they used to act like they could see all sorts of terrifying things that I couldn’t!

How is he during the day? Any signs of discomfort or discontent at all?

If you look in his ears are they red or any runny wax/pus?
Is he eating well, pooing regularly? Belly ache tends to be more painful laying flat so could be waking him.

He really is fine by day - healthy and happy. Last night he slept until 8am this morning and woke up his usual cheery self so long may that continue! Thanks to everyone who posted.

Could it be trapped wind? My 15 month old did that the other night and wouldn't be held because she needed to flail about to get it moving.

@Tyrionsbitch possibly. I did try winding him but nothing came up. Hopefully it's in the past for now.