DS nearly 2 hysterical screaming fits in night - night terrors?

[Jacksmybaby]

This has been going on for the last month or so. DS will be 2 in a couple of weeks. Is suddenly screaming out hysterically in middle of night, really panicking/terrified, screaming, panting and calling out for mummy/daddy. Seems only half awake / in a daze, even though usually standing in cot with eyes open when we go in to him. Taking ages (10-15 mins per time) to calm down. Have read that you should leave a child if they are having night terrors as you'll make it worse, but can't ignore this, he gets into such a terrible state. Is he too young for night terrors? What is best thing to do? Is it a phase and will it stop soon?! It's every night at the moment at least 2-3 times per night!

They sound like night terrors. Not too young for them. I wouldn't leave mine - you just need to be there with gentle reassurance until he calms down. They can look very scary to all.

I think you're not supposed to wake them up completley. He will know nothing about it in the morning and it is nothing you have or haven't done.

I would consider if there is anything he is worrying about ( any changes etc) but they are spossed to point to a bright child!

Thank you EJ.

I second everything that eddie has said
dd2 was having NTs from about 2 and a half to three and a half it was exactly how you descrbe

she would be screaming for me even though I ewas hugging her
you dont haver to leave him, I have never heard of that at all(and have researched it alot)

really used to upset me(every time) and I feel for you

Thank u queenie, it is really upsetting, yes (not to mention exhausting for us all!). I think I was confusing the advice not to wake the child up and thinking it meant don't go to them at all. Do you think best to pick him up out of the cot (the natural instinct when he's screaming like that!) or just try to comfort without picking up e.g. hold hand, stroke etc? Picking him up doesn't seem to help, as you say he keeps on calling for mummy or daddy even after we have picked him up, and just struggles and thrashes about.

Message withdrawn

Arggghhhh! Just when I was thinking we finally had sleeping through the night completely sorted (DS was never good sleeper as a baby) and was even thinking about TTC no.2!
Thanks all for sympathy and advice.

We had this sporadically too from about 2.6 to 3.6, much as you describe. With us it seemed to happen in the first few hours of his sleep. It's awful, isn't it?

I came to the conclusion that with DS it was often down to over-stimulation/tiredness, and it seemed to improve when I was stricter with myself about him getting enough regular rest.

The other thing that I read somewhere and also seemed to apply to DS was that it can happen if they need a wee and have gained enough bladder control to be trying to hold it in. DS is 4.2 now and it's stopped almost altogether. If it does ever happen I try to get him onto the loo, and he often settles very quickly after that.

Hmm, interesting re bladder control thing BFQ!
Have ordered a couple of books that have been recommended by people (poss even you BFQ?) on previous threads re night terrors and associated sleep and potty training issues. One is the no cry sleep solution for toddlers (we had the no cry sleep solution baby version which was the only thing that seemed to help) and the other is the potty training book by the same author! Will be interesting to see if there are any tips in there.

my dd had night terrors from 2 to 3 years old then they stopped now she's started having them again [just turned 4].they happen after she's been asleep for about 4 hours.i just have to sit it out as she won't let me touch her.can last up to half an hour usually.