Night terrors are episodes in which a child partly wakes from deep sleep, screams or thrashes and seems awake and frightened, but is actually still asleep. They usually happen in the first few hours of the night and are most common in the preschool and early school years.
Key takeaways
- Children usually do not remember night terrors in the morning.
- Unlike nightmares, comforting the child often does not help during the episode.
- Overtiredness can make them more likely.
What you can do
- Stay calm and keep your child safe from falls or bumps.
- Do not try to wake them; let the episode pass.
- Keep a regular bedtime and enough sleep.
When to talk to your doctor
Talk to your doctor if night terrors happen very often, last a long time, include stiffening or jerking, or if your child snores loudly or seems sleepy during the day.
