Night terrors, a sleep disorder, are more frequently observed in children, particularly those aged 2-4 years, although they can affect children up to 12 years old. Night terrors differ from nightmares.

While nightmares can happen occasionally, night terrors are periods of extreme fear that are frequently accompanied by cries, screams, or other physical movements while the victim is asleep. Furthermore, children usually look upset when they wake up from a nightmare, but they usually do not remember what they dreamed during a night of terror.

Causes of night terror in children

Night terrors are frequently caused by insufficient sleep quality. Several factors can increase a child's susceptibility to having night terrors while sleeping, including:

• Increased body temperature or fever, causing discomfort at night
• Consuming caffeine close to bedtime disrupts a child's sleep
• Emotional and physical stress, such as recent stressful events, beginning school, or relocating
• A full bladder from excessive drinking or not urinating before bedtime
• Family history of night terrors during childhood
• The central nervous system is not being fully developed yet

Night terrors will stop as your child grows older, so do not be concerned, even though they can be frightening and exhausting at times. When they reach adolescence, the majority of children do not experience nocturnal terrors.

How to help kids overcome their night terror

Like most parents, you may be at a loss for how to deal with your child's night terrors. Seeing them cry and scream in their sleep can be frightening and leave you confused about what to do. If your child has night terrors, here's what you can do:

Don’t wake them up

When kids have a night terror, there's no need to wake them up. In the episode, they are typically not quite conscious. They may become more fearful and bewildered if you wake them up.

Lowering the room temperature or adjusting the child's body position to make it more comfortable will allow the child to sleep through the night without any disruptions. Additionally, keep items that could be harmful close to your child, like toys with sharp edges or scarves that can twist them.

Accompany the child for some time

Stay with the child for some time without waking him. If they sit up or stand up, then guide the child to return to bed and make sure they are safe.

Children experiencing night terrors may exhibit aimless movements or restlessness. It's crucial to protect them from objects that could pose a risk and prevent their unintentional movements. You can provide comfort by softly patting their body or gently rubbing their back. Staying with them for a while helps them feel secure and enables them to return to restful sleep.

Establish a sleep schedule

Stress and physical exhaustion are two possible causes of night terrors. You can establish a new sleep schedule to lessen the likelihood of stress-related night terrors. For instance, you can read a tale to the child before bed and take a warm shower, then stay with them until they are asleep.

A child who follows a sleep pattern feels more stable and secure since they are aware of what to expect before bed. Children can also become more peaceful and relaxed by having a warm shower before bed, which will improve their comfort level.

If a child's night terror episode involves symptoms like breathing difficulties such as snoring, visible distress or sadness, stiffness, or seizures, lasts over 30 minutes, or happens more than once a week, it's advisable to seek medical attention. A doctor can diagnose the underlying cause and suggest suitable treatment for your child.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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