17 month waking and having hysterics

[Babyramone]

My dd is 17 months since quite wee she has had a waking up around midnight 1am ish. normally she moans and gurns a bit but goes back over.
However for the last few days she's taken to wakening up, crying and when we gone to see her gets hysterical. This is even if picked up or soothed while still in cot.
The hysterical crying is almost like anger and temper.
Tonight DH picked her up and brought her through and she was pushing me away. It was like she hated me.
Everyone all settled now but I'm worried.

Sounds like night terrors - not unusual at this age. She doesn't receognise you, as she is not properly awake, she is frightened and that is why she is pushing you away. It is a phase that they do outgrow. Sometimes picking them up etc just makes things worse. I used to sing quietly to ds2, or put his music on low and that helped. It will pass, it is upsetting while it lasts though.

This is a quote from a child health website:

"When your child "wakes up" with a night terror, go in and check on him but don't speak to him or try to soothe him. Your child will resist being comforted and will appear confused and disoriented. Trying to soothe your child will only extend and intensify the sleep terror ? even saying his name can make him more upset. Likewise, don't try to vigorously awaken him. He may think you are attacking him. Instead, just let the night terror run its course, and stand nearby to make sure your toddler doesn't hurt himself".

HTH

I haven't worked out how to do links, but if you google "night terrors toddlers", there is lots of information.

Thanks for this, that makes sense. I'd heard of night terrors but thought she was on young side.

my DS went through this on and off from around 15 months to 4 years, usually once every six to eight weeks, but getting further apart the older he got. It is awful, as you seem so helpless, but it will pass.

We worked out that it seem to co-incide with any growth spurt he was having. not sure if it was co-incidence or not, but friends of ours experienced similar with their DS.