Many parents have the same problem – night terrors in babies. Here I will tell you everything you need to know about night terrors in babies, causes, symptoms and how to deal with it.
Basically this is what a night terror in babies is: a sleeping disorder which happens in the 3rd or 4th stage of sleep (deep sleep also known as Non-REM sleep). When night terrors in babies occur they wake up in the middle of the night, confused, frightened and sometimes are crying. This is shown in the form of anxiety, screaming, crying and lack of interest in some things. Night terrors in babies and children may result in them becoming more violent or anxious.
General Information
Researchers have shown that night terrors in babies and children are most common in the age range of 1-6 years. For more information on night terrors in children above the age of 6 read here. This kind of disorder mostly affects boys, and there are some beliefs that lack of sleep can trigger night terrors in babies.
You should note that night terrors in babies and nightmares are e totally different thing. Nightmares mostly occur during REM (rapid eye movement), and the baby might remember it the next day, whereas a night terror is forgotten. If your baby is experiencing a night terrors what you should do is try to peacefully put it back to sleep. Most of the time night terrors in babies trigger emotions such as fear, anxiety and panic. This may present itself trough screaming, waving, or crying. Put yourself in the positing of comforting the baby that everything is okay, and that you are protecting it. It’s very important to pass this knowledge to every member of the family or help that might find the child or baby while it’s having a night terror. A baby or a young child should get 12-13 hours of sleep.
A few more Tips To Help You Out with Night Terrors in Children
If you are still having trouble with night terrors in babies, here are the tips:
- Remove all sleeping disturbances from the place the baby is sleeping
- Don’t include irritating (dark) lights
- Keep a routine for bed time
- Have a daily routine for waking up, eating etc
- Sprinkle orange oil and Chamomile on a tissue and put it under the pillow
- Get prescribed medications
- Pay the doctor a visit
What Causes Night Terrors In Babies
As stated earlier, unpredicted disturbances in the baby’s sleep during the 3rd and 4th phases of sleep triggers night terrors in babies. Other causes of night terrors in babies are stressful situations, memories of an accident, watching violence (TV, DVD), bad home growing environment and lack of sleep hours. Also night terrors in babies might be caused as side effects from some medicine or it might be genetic family inheritance.
Symptoms that suggest Night Terrors In Babies
These are the most common symptoms of night terrors in babies that you should watch out for:
- Fear in eyes, eyes wide open
- Increased HR (Heart rate)
- Seating, crying, screaming
- Increased breathing
- Losing ability to talk or express feelings
- Not providing explanation of the trauma experienced
Treatments of Night Terrors in Babies
These treatments have proved to be effective against night terrors in babies:
- Bed Time Sprinkles is one of the best remedies for babies because it’s based on natural herbs only and gives great results
- Methods of relaxation and medicine prescribed by a doctor
- A good idea would be hypnotherapy
Sometimes night terrors in babies end with time. Your doctor’s job is to make that recovery faster. And never forget to give your baby all the love and attention you can.