Have you ever been woken up in the middle of the night by your young child crying, moving around wildly, and looking terrified—but not seeming to notice you’re even there? If your 4- or 5-year-old appears scared, has their eyes open, and isn’t responding to your comforting voice or touch, they could be having a night terror.
Night terrors are not the same as regular nightmares. In fact, your child may not even remember the episode the next morning. While these episodes can be deeply upsetting for parents to witness, they are actually quite common in young children and usually aren’t something to worry about.
Even though it can be hard to see your child so distressed, there are gentle ways to support them through it. In this article, we’ll explore what night terrors really are, why they happen, and what you can do to help your little one feel safe and comforted during these episodes.
Understanding Night Terrors in Children
Have you ever heard the term night terrors and wondered what exactly it means? Night terrors are a type of sleep disturbance that can look a lot like a bad dream, but they’re actually quite different. These events happen when a child is stuck between deep sleep and waking up. It’s a kind of sleep behavior known as a parasomnia—which simply means something unusual that happens during sleep, similar to sleepwalking or talking in their sleep.
While it might look alarming, night terrors aren’t harmful and typically don’t indicate any serious health issue. In fact, they’re surprisingly common among children between the ages of 4 and 12, even though only about 3 to 6 percent of kids experience them.
When a child has a night terror, they may sit up suddenly, cry out, look wide-eyed with fear, and even thrash or move around. It’s understandable for parents to feel frightened when seeing this, especially since their child may not respond to soothing or even seem fully awake. The good news is that these episodes usually last only 5 to 15 minutes, and once they pass, most children settle back into sleep peacefully without any memory of the event.
Although night terrors can be upsetting to watch, rest assured that they’re typically a normal part of childhood and don’t require medical treatment. In the next sections, we’ll explore what might trigger night terrors and how you can gently support your child through them.
When Do Night Terrors Typically Start?
It’s natural for parents to worry when their child wakes up in distress at night. Many wonder if toddlers can experience night terrors, but these episodes most commonly happen in slightly older children—typically between the ages of 4 and 12. While there have been a few rare cases of night terrors reported in toddlers as young as 18 months, they are quite uncommon at that age.
Every child is different. Some may have just a single episode of night terrors, while others may go through a short phase where these unsettling nights occur more than once. The reassuring news is that night terrors usually become less frequent and eventually stop altogether as your child’s brain and nervous system continue to grow and mature.
It’s important to remember that frequent night terrors over a long period of time are not typical. If you notice that your child—especially around age 4—is waking up night after night in a state of fear or confusion, it might be helpful to talk with your pediatrician. They can help rule out any underlying issues and guide you on the best ways to support your child’s sleep.
With patience, care, and the right support, most children will outgrow night terrors completely.
How to Recognize a Night Terror
It can be unsettling to see your child go through a night terror, especially if you’re not sure what’s happening. These episodes often begin suddenly and can look quite dramatic. During a night terror, your child might:
- Sit up quickly in bed as if startled
- Cry out, scream, or yell as though they’re frightened
- Breathe rapidly or have a racing heartbeat
- Start sweating or looking flushed
- Move around restlessly or kick and flail
- Seem scared or confused
- Have their eyes open but appear unaware of their surroundings
- Not respond when you gently try to comfort or wake them
- Settle down after a few minutes and return to sleep just as quickly
One of the most surprising parts for parents is that, even though the event may seem intense, your child usually won’t remember anything about it the next morning.
If you sleep in a separate room or tend to be a deep sleeper, you might not realize a night terror is happening unless you hear loud cries, movement, or something unusual coming from your child’s room.
While it can be tough to watch, know that night terrors are not harmful and your child isn’t in pain. With your calm presence and patience, they’ll drift back to sleep in no time.
What Causes Night Terrors in Children?
If your child wakes up crying or frightened in the middle of the night, you might be wondering what’s going on. Night terrors can be confusing, especially when they seem to come out of nowhere. But understanding what causes them can make it easier to respond calmly and confidently.
Night terrors happen when a child’s brain becomes temporarily overwhelmed during a certain stage of sleep. Unlike dreams or nightmares—which happen during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage—night terrors occur earlier in the night, usually within the first couple of hours after falling asleep. This is a time of deep, non-dreaming sleep, and sometimes the body doesn’t transition smoothly from one stage to the next. For some kids, this can lead to a sudden reaction that looks like fear or confusion.
Several things can make night terrors more likely to happen, such as:
- Being overly tired or not getting enough rest
- Feeling stressed, anxious, or going through big changes
- Having a fever or being sick
- Starting a new medication or sleeping somewhere unfamiliar
- A family history of night terrors or sleepwalking
While this list might seem a little overwhelming, it’s important to remember that night terrors aren’t your fault, and they’re not a sign that something is seriously wrong. They’re just one of the ways a developing brain sometimes handles deep sleep.
If you have a 4-year-old or older child who’s waking up upset at night, learning about night terrors can help you feel more prepared and less worried. With time, care, and consistency in your child’s bedtime routine, most children grow out of night terrors completely.
How Are Night Terrors Different from Nightmares?
It’s easy to confuse night terrors with nightmares—they both involve a child waking up upset during the night. But they’re actually quite different in how they look, when they happen, and how they affect your child.
Here’s a simple comparison to help you understand the difference:
| Aspect | Nightmares | Night Terrors |
| When They Start | Nightmares can begin as early as age 2 and may happen at any age after that. | Night terrors often start around ages 4 to 5 and may continue up to age 12. |
| What It Looks Like | Your child might wake up crying or frightened, possibly asking for comfort because of a scary dream. | Your child may sit up suddenly, scream, cry, or move around—but they won’t be fully awake and might not respond to your voice. Their eyes may be open, but they seem unaware of your presence. |
| When It Happens | Nightmares usually occur later in the night during deep dreaming (REM sleep). | Night terrors typically happen earlier in the night—within the first two hours of sleep—during a deep, non-dreaming stage. |
| Falling Back to Sleep | After a nightmare, your child may need some time to calm down and might be scared to fall back asleep. | After a night terror, your child usually goes back to sleep quickly and easily, without needing help. |
| Memory of the Event | Your child will often remember the nightmare and may want to talk about it or be cuddled. | Your child won’t remember the night terror the next morning. It’s like it never happened for them. |
| Emotional Concerns | Nightmares can sometimes reflect your child’s daily fears or worries, but they’re not usually a sign of a bigger issue. | Night terrors are not linked to emotional or psychological problems—they’re more about how the brain transitions through sleep. |
| What You Can Do During an Episode | Offer hugs, reassurance, and talk softly to help them feel safe and calm. | Don’t try to wake your child. Just stay close, make sure they’re safe, and let the episode pass on its own. |
| Long-Term Support | If nightmares happen often, consider talking to your pediatrician. Keeping bedtime routines calm and avoiding scary shows before bed can help. | Night terrors often go away on their own. To help prevent them, make sure your child gets enough rest and try moving bedtime a little earlier. |
Understanding the difference between night terrors and nightmares can really help you feel more prepared as a parent. Knowing what to expect and how to respond gives you the confidence to support your child in the most helpful way possible.
Comforting and Supporting Your Child Through Night Terrors
Seeing your child go through a night terror can be heartbreaking and a little scary—but rest assured, it’s not harmful and your child isn’t in pain. The best thing you can do during an episode is to stay calm, be nearby, and gently make sure they don’t accidentally hurt themselves if they’re moving around a lot in bed. Avoid trying to wake them up, as this can sometimes make them more confused or frightened.
If your child is over 4 years old and frequently wakes up at night crying or distressed due to night terrors, there are a few gentle strategies that may help reduce how often these episodes happen:
- Keep things calm and comforting at bedtime. A simple, relaxing routine—like a warm bath, a quiet story, and soft lights—can help your child feel safe and ready for sleep.
- Reduce daytime stress. Try to create a peaceful environment during the day, and talk with your child about any worries they might be carrying. Even small changes or daily stress can sometimes show up at night.
- Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. Overtired kids are more likely to have night terrors. Stick to a regular bedtime and ensure they’re getting the sleep their growing bodies need.
- Avoid late nights. If your child tends to get too tired by bedtime, try putting them to bed about 30 minutes earlier—especially after a busy or exhausting day.
- Watch for patterns. If the night terrors seem to happen around the same time each night, you might try gently waking your child 15 to 30 minutes before the usual time. This can sometimes help “reset” their sleep cycle and stop the episode before it begins.
Remember, night terrors are usually a phase that children outgrow with time. With your love, support, and a consistent routine, your child can feel safe and secure—even through those tough nighttime moments.
Final Thoughts
Watching your child experience a night terror can be unsettling, and it’s completely normal to feel concerned or unsure of what to do. But the reassuring news is that night terrors, while dramatic to witness, are not harmful and are usually just a temporary phase.
Unlike nightmares that might leave your child feeling frightened or clingy the next day, night terrors are not remembered at all. Once the episode passes, your child typically goes right back to sleep, unaware that anything even happened. The best approach in the moment is to stay close, ensure they’re safe, and allow the episode to run its course without trying to wake them.
You can help reduce the chances of night terrors by building a soothing bedtime routine and making sure your child gets enough rest. Keeping things calm before sleep can go a long way in supporting peaceful nights.
If the episodes become frequent or you simply feel unsure, it’s always okay to reach out to your child’s doctor. Sometimes, just talking to a healthcare provider can bring peace of mind and helpful guidance.
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