Son who has night terrors.

[tater03]

I have a five year old son that has night terrors. Has anyone else ever expierienced these before? They started when he was about two and now he just gets them when he is getting sick and has a fever. He looks like he is awake but he actually is not. He gets very mad and mean. The peditrician said to just let him go but make sure he is in a safe enviroment because if I try to wake him up it could just make it worse. The only thing he did suggest was to wipe the bottom of his feet with a cold rag. Sometimes this will wake them up. Just was wondering if anyone on here has any other suggestions? Thanks.

[Melos]

Oh boy... I feel for you.

My first son had night terrors almost every night from about 8 months to age 2 years. It was horrifying and really tore at my heart.

I just held him really tight and patted his back and called out soothing things to him - hoping they'd reach him wherever he was. He usually fell back to quiet sleep and didn't wake up from the night terrors.

[palefrost]

It may not be this but when my brother was little he had the start of night terrors and would run down the hall screaming asleep. My mom had him tested for Lyme's disease because he was bit by a tick earlier in the year and they found he did have it. He took some meds and after it was gone the night terrors stopped. I hope its something as simple as that for you. I wish you the best. I imagine its a scary thing to watch your child go through.

[hokeshel]

I am so sorry. It is hard to watch your little one go through this. The good news is, they are usually very temporary. There is not much you can do but, when my daughter had them, it was at the same time every night so, I would go into her room and wait for her to wake up screaming. I was able to comfort her quicker. I would turn the light on, hold and her and sing to her. I used to sing songs and put her name in them, it helped distract her and get her back to a peaceful sleep. Good luck.

[tater03]

You know it does seem like they happen right around the same time each night. I wonder if you tried to wake them up if they would bypass the night terror all together. I think I might just try that. But you are all right it is so hard to watch this as a mother.

[ButtrflyDreams]

Sorry, I've never experienced. I can't really help. Hopefully wiping his feet with a wet rag will help you.

[hokeshel]

When I first realized she had them at the same times, I tried waking her up first but, she just started having them at an earlier time. I tried again and she started having them at a later time. So, I decided that it was something just needed to get through. I should have mentioned that so you don't all think I just stood around and watched my daughter go through this. lol

[pinkribbon]

Oh how horrible! One of my sons had night terrors once or twice around 18 months, but nothing since then. It is so scary. It is really scariest for the parents, I think. From everything I've read, it really seems like the child doesn't remember the incidents later on (thankfully).