Your little one is your whole world, and when they wake up screaming in the middle of the night, it can be terrifying. Sometimes, as parents, night terrors can feel as frightening for you as they do for your child. Go Au Pair is here to help you navigate this challenging and completely normal problem in toddlerhood.
What causes night terrors in toddlers? How can you avoid these scary nighttime wakings? We have trusted remedies for night terrors in toddlers. Learn more about the root causes of child night terrors and what you can do to support your toddler through this development phase.
Understanding Night Terrors
What are night terrors in toddlers, and what can you do about them?
Night terrors are different from nightmares. Between the ages of 3 and 7 years, around 30% of children experience repeated nighttime wakings due to this common sleep disorder.
During a night terror, your toddler may:
- Be unresponsive to you
- Scream loudly
- Cry
- Repeat phrases like “no” or “stop”
- Display confusion
- Be resistant or unresponsive to your comforting
- Flail or thrash in bed
- Sit up suddenly
These symptoms are terrifying for parents to witness, but they usually do not indicate a larger medical problem.
There are many potential causes for night terrors, including genetic predisposition. That means night terrors in children can run in families.
Common causes of night terrors include:
- Not getting enough sleep
- Certain medications
- Sleeping in a new place away from home
- Stress
- Diagnosed sleep disorders
- Caffeine
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Recent loss in the family
- Genetics
Understandably, you want to figure out what causes night terrors. Unfortunately, the cause is often unknown, and it’s just something you must face with your child. The good news is that most children outgrow night terrors by age 12. Until then, we have some solutions if you want to know what to do about night terrors.
8 Remedies for Night Terrors in Toddlers
Night terrors in kids might feel endless and exhausting. Luckily, there are several remedies for night terrors in toddlers. That means you have some control over preventing and managing your child’s frightening nighttime wakings. Use this as a guide if you want to know what to do for night terrors.
1. Establish a Calming Bedtime Routine
Implement a soothing, relaxing bedtime routine to prepare your child for a peaceful night of sleep.
One of the best ways to kick off a relaxing bedtime routine is by reading books for toddlers. Reading to your little one boosts their language development and helps foster a love of reading later in life. Books are calming and give your child something to focus on before they fall asleep.
2. Create a Soothing Sleep Environment
Do your best to make your child’s bedroom feel soothing and relaxing. That will help them comfortably fall asleep (and hopefully stay asleep). To accomplish this, you can use tools like sound machines, lavender spray, and comfortable blankets and pillows.
3. Ensure an Active Lifestyle
Exercise helps people of all ages fall asleep and stay asleep. Fostering an active lifestyle for toddlers is critical to making bedtime stress-free. The more your little one moves throughout the day, the more they’ll need quality sleep at night.
4. Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Make sure your child goes to bed around the same time every night. That will foster a sense of consistency and reliability, which promotes better sleep. If your toddler still naps, keep naptimes consistent as well.
5. Ensure a Healthy Diet
Getting a toddler to eat can be a significant challenge. However, getting the nutrients they need to thrive is extremely important. That will help their sleep quality and overall stress levels around bedtime.
6. Incorporate Relaxation Techniques
Try relaxing your toddler before bed with deep breathing exercises, stretching, and other calming activities. These relaxation techniques will help them wind down before getting some much-needed shut-eye.
7. Use Gradual Sleep Training Methods
If your toddler still needs sleep support, you shouldn’t immediately transition them into independent sleep. Use gradual sleep training methods to build their tolerance for putting themselves to sleep slowly.
8. Seek Consultation With a Pediatric Sleep Specialist if Necessary
Professionals specializing in pediatric sleep patterns can help you manage your toddler’s nighttime rest. If you’ve tried everything and nothing is working, consider consulting with a pediatric sleep specialist in your area.
Get Help With Au Pair
Au pairs are skilled in managing toddler routines and habits. They know the best remedies for night terrors in toddlers and other sleep tips and tricks. If you’re having trouble getting through this phase alone, Go Au Pair can help. Use our au pair agency to get started today!
