Here’s our Parent Panel dad Ben Wakeling with some great advice on how to help your child get through a bout of night terrors.

They started a few weeks ago: about an hour after he went to sleep, our 3 year-old son would start crying and screaming, sometimes shaking with fear. When we would comfort him, he would look at us with utter fear in his eyes and cling onto our arms. This would last for about ten minutes, and then he would simply lie down and fall back to sleep as if nothing had happened.

It seems we are not alone in our experiences. Around 15% of children experience night terrors, or pavor nocturmus, if you want to use the medical term: a parasomnia disorder characterised by a temporary inability to regain full consciousness combined with terror attacks. The child has no recollection of the event in the morning, which is less than can be said for the parents, for whom night terrors can be quite worrying. As with all these things, knowing more about this disorder can help you understand how to prevent them from occurring.

What are the symptoms of night terrors?

Night terrors are most common in children aged two to six, although adults can also suffer from parasomnia. They can carry on for weeks and then suddenly disappear, and are characterised by a period of upset and terror for the child, who may sit upright and have his or her eyes open. They could also display ‘fight or flight’ bodily reactions, such as sweating, quick breathing and an increased heart rate.

Night terrors usually begin about 15 minutes to one hour after the child falls asleep, and last for 10-20 minutes, during which the child may appear confused and inconsolable. Although the child seems awake, he is still unconscious, and may not recognise you.

What causes night terrors?

Fortunately, your child hasn’t been possessed by demons, but there may be times during the day when he’s being particularly naughty that the thought might cross your mind. Night terrors are often triggered by physical or emotional stress, such as beginning at school or moving house. The child may also have been stimulated mentally before sleep – for example, they have read a book about monsters and dragons, which could trigger a terror attack.

The most common cause for night terrors is sleep deprivation. The average three year-old needs around 11 or 12 hours of sleep per night, and so if your child is getting less you may wish to put them to bed slightly earlier.

How can I prevent night terrors?

Stress is one of the biggest night terror triggers, so make sure your child has a relaxing evening. Give him time to chill out before bed: give him a warm bath, play calm music and read him a soothing book. You can also give him foods that help to induce sleep: a glass of milk, apple slices with peanut butter, or a raisin and oatmeal biscuit.

Make sure the room is not too hot, as this can also be a factor in triggering an episode. You may also wish to use herbal remedies to help him relax, such as chamomile capsules, or perhaps the scent of lavender.

If your child does have a night terror attack, keep calm and reflect this by using soothing tones. Reassure and cuddle him, to prevent him from hurting himself or others. Some parents find that gently awakening their child just before they go to bed themselves helps to prevent night terrors; similarly, if your child has attacks at roughly the same time every night, awaken him 15 minutes before the episode usually begins.

In many cases, these methods will help prevent night terror attacks. In a minority of cases a trip to the doctor may be required to see if there are any underlying causes for the episodes. But don’t worry: eventually, you will get a full night’s sleep.

Share on Facebook