Do any of you have any experience with this? I think this is what we are dealing with when it comes to Bianca. Our pediatrician mentioned this months ago, but I just didn't think it was the case, until last night. Bianca woke up, roughly 2 hours after she went to sleep, looking wide awake, screaming inconsolably and looked terrified. I picked her up and held her and she still didn't calm down. I tried to get her attention but she wouldn't look at me, or even listen to me for that matter. It was scarier than hell. Finally after about 10 minutes of this (she's still screaming at this point) I decide to get her a bottle, I thought maybe she was hungry and wouldn't go back to sleep until she got that. Luckily, she ate and did go to sleep. However, I lay in bed thinking about the whole ordeal and my mind is brought back to the idea of night terrors.
I did some research on it today and found this article. It really seems like this could be it. I know I've heard about them in the past, and have seen shows on tv regarding them, but never really paid much attention to it. When Bianca turned about 9 months, I posted about her not sleeping well and that was just the beginning. Our doctor suggested a while ago that we add some loud music and a night light to help with the problem. She also suggested that we try to rouse her about 10 minutes before her nightly wakings normally occurred. Well, today, I realized that we inadvertantly were doing this already. We usually go in around 9pm and kiss her goodnight one last time and she almost always wakes for a minute (she is the lightest sleeper ever). I really think that this has been combatting the "night terrors". Well, last night, neither of us went in there to say one last goodnight and I think that triggered this.
What do you all think? Do you have any experience with this topic? If so, any advice or stories you can share? I'm really not all that worried, I understand what we are dealing with and ways to combat it and how to deal with it if it does happen. I just want to know we aren't alone here. I really appreciate your thoughts on this.
Michelle~My brother had night terrors when he was about 6 or 7. I might be a year off, but I think it was around then. My parents would hear him screaming. When they went to him, they couldn't get him to wake up, he would just be hysterical. One time, he went into his closet and was screaming in there. Sometimes, she would take a wet rag and apply it to his face just so he would come to.
It really stressed my parents out...especially my mom. My brother is a very mild tempered, laid back kid. Well guy, now. So, it was crazy to see him like that.
He eventually just grew out of them. But they did have him checked out by his doctor and that is who determined what was going on. Back then, the internet wasn't really around.
It must be crazy seeing B like that. I hope that she grows out of it soon. Maybe talk to her pedi again and see what they think?
Good luck.
Posted by: Leslie | February 10, 2008 at 08:25 AM
wow. we haven't had experience with this. good luck with dealing with it though. you'll have to keep us posted. i DO have a light sleeper, though. and that sucks.
Posted by: jessica | February 09, 2008 at 09:45 PM
I don't think what we deal with is night terrors, but maybe. Maggie usually goes to sleep like a dream, lay her down and pft right out. But she wakes up crying or screaming between 12-3. She will not go back to sleep unless we bring her to our bed. There are times she'll sleep the whole night through, but it if far and few between. I though we were on a roll this week 2 nights in a row, but last night she woke up at 2:30.
From what it sounds like what you had last night was night terrors according to the article.
Posted by: Robyn | February 09, 2008 at 09:16 PM