I have a question.
The last, oh, week or so, Sophie has been waking up in the middle of the night, screaming her head off. The first time it happened I rushed in, afraid she was seriously hurt. It was that kind of screaming.
Keep in mind she has been sleeping through the night since she was about 8 weeks old... she's been sleeping about 10-11 hours without waking up for months. Now, it happens, about 1:30 and/or 3:30. Every night.
I have tried letting her cry it out, but she just gets more and more frantic. She doesn't go back to sleep.
So, I go in, pick her up, hug her, hold her for 45 seconds- a minute or so, then lay her back down... she goes back to sleep right away. She won't take water and doesn't fight being held (meaning she doesn't want to go play or anything).
Any ideas? At first I thought maybe it was bad dreams, but it's happening a lot, and on schedule. My other thought was maybe a neighbor is coming home from work or something, and the car wakes her up, since it's scheduled - but why would that scare her so much? I have no idea and am open to suggestions!
17 comments:
I don't think it is anything to worry about...both of my girls went through stages like this. She could be awakened by something, and then is scared and needs the reassurance that you are close.
Do you have a night light in her room? That helped with both of our girls at that age.
aj
Two nightlights, actually. And they've both been in there all her life, so she's used to them.
I remember Cole having night terrors around that age. Even when we would hold him, he wouldn't calm down sometimes because he was still asleep, even though he looked like he was awake. She might be having bad dreams like that and just doesn't know how to be comforted to fall back asleep. It's funny to think of what they could possibly be scared of and what their imaginations can come up with at that age, but that's the only thing we could figure with Cole. When he's been freaking out like that, we just give him lots of snuggles and put him back down once he was calmed down/fell asleep on us. When he had it, it lasted a few weeks of almost every night, but then has grown out of it and it only happens every once in a while. Not sure if this helps, but just know you're not alone! :)
If it's a noise..car door or something like that...try a fan in her room. We are all in the 'fan club'!
I don't think my kids ever did anything like that...at least not for days in a row.
I personally don't think it is Doctor worthy (as in a special appt.). If she has an appointment coming up, maybe mention it..but I would probably just wait it out.
Is she watching to much TV or Movies that could scare her ?? Its She stress for something that mom or dad frequently said in front of her and she is assumming as her own >??does she listen that kind of noise music or just relaxing music ?? It would be a good Idea play some relax music while she is sleeping like birds, or water falls...that works to calm her down..and of course...Pray Before to go to Bed letting her know that God is in Charge of everything.
Yep, night terrors. Like Megan said. And, you are doing the exact right thing. I don't think there is anything you can do to keep her from having them. Emma has had these and still does occasionally. She will be inconsolable--nothing stops the screaming, but if I just lay her back down in her bed and cover her up, she will stop and go right back to sleep. You have to get up, but at least she goes right back down.
I think it is just something some kids do. As frightening as it is to us as parents, they say the kids don't even remember doing it.
See, I didn't think it was night terrors. I remember when Katelyn had them - this is nothing like that. Sophie actually quiets down as soon as I pick her up - by the time I lay her down 45 seconds later, she's either back asleep or almost. Could it still be night terrors, even though she is consolable?
Hmm. I think I had some info somewhere on the web that I found about them. Let me see if I can find it. Yes, the being consolable part puzzles me too.
By your testimony it doesn't sound like she is playing a game with you but watch out it could turn into one. It does sound like she is haveing bad dreams. I would pray over my children when they would have a bad dream. I just hold their hand and pray that Angels would watch over them and that they would have happy dreams. You might even want to include potection from Satan. I know that sounds scary but he is out prowling and he does want our first born. We'll be praying that this will come to an end.
Sara,
With Jake he had night terrors around 1 1/2. It would take him forever to fall back to sleep and
nothing seemed to console him.Every child is different of course. It just sounds like she is becoming more aware of life in general.Maybe a thought or quick image in her mind might scare her. It will subside soon, I'm sure.
Carrie
Often had these with my boys at growth spurts. Growing pains? Leg cramps? Foot cramps? Can also be a mental growth spurt too where they become more aware of their surroundings, concepts, body, fears. Is she becoming more "clingy" during the day as well?
You know, she is. We have noticed in the last couple weeks that her memory is increasing - she seems to remember people and places. She has also started making more connections, such as knowing that her stuffed animal is "dog" - as is an animated dog on TV. A month ago she would say "dog" when she saw or heard one bark, but now she makes the connection with "pseudo" dogs as well! That's just one example.
And yes, during the day she'll often come up and hug me. Not necessarily wanting to be held, but she'll put her arms around me and pat my back. It's so sweet!
I'm sure she'll grow out of it. I just wondered what others' experiences were. I think you're right though - her awareness is increasing, so her dreams probably are too.
Hi Sara,
Julie use to wake up screaming too, scaring me to death, as well as our parents. Our neighbors asked us about it once too, because in the summer everyone had their windows open at night. Anyway, now, as Julie thinks back about it, she said that during those times she was falling, falling, and falling into a dark tunnel, and never landing... that's why she was so scared. So, maybe she's having a recurring dream about something (?). Just give her lots of love... I guess if it keep going on for a long time, then I'd ask a Doc. about it, esp. if your or her sleep is getting compromised... Good luck. :)
Anna :)
This may sound a little crazy, and pushing things a little...But My parents said that I did the same thing as a baby same age as Sophi..and that they would check my diaper and it was always dry when I would wake up....so they started putting me on the potty at 1 year old and I was potty trained at night before I was trained during the day.They followed their intuition...and that is what you need to do....something is waking her up...weather it is what I said or what some of the others have said.... Good Luck
Sara, the last comment was mine...I don't know how the other name got on it .
Dawn Draper
Sara,
I was just checking back to see if things have settled down for Sophie.
I was thinking about her the other night while I was helping my coughing 2 year old in the middle of the night.
Keeping you guys in prayer.
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