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Night Terrors (Pavor Nocturnus) in Babies & Toddlers

Night terrors are a harmless sleep disorder where your child suddenly screams, thrashes, and appears panicked from deep sleep — but is NOT awake. They don't recognise you and remember nothing the next morning. As frightening as it is for parents: your child is not suffering. Night terrors usually start from 18 months and resolve on their own.

الأسباب المحتملة

1Immature nervous system — transition between deep and light sleep doesn't go smoothly
2Overtiredness or too little sleep — most common trigger
3Irregular sleep schedule or dropping the daytime nap
4Fever or illness can trigger night terrors
5Genetic component — runs in families

ما يمكنكِ فعله

Do NOT try to wake the child — this prolongs and worsens the episode
Stay calmly near the child and protect them from injury (don't restrain)
Don't turn on lights, don't shake, don't talk to them
Ensure the child gets enough sleep (adjust bedtimes)
Establish a fixed bedtime and calming evening routine

متى تزورين الطبيب؟

Episodes occur almost every night and severely impact family sleep
Child also shows noticeable behaviour or developmental issues during the day
Rhythmic movements or twitching during the episode (epilepsy evaluation)
Child is confused or disoriented for a long time after the episode (atypical for night terrors)

ملاحظات حسب العمر

Night terrors typically start from 18 months, peaking between 2 and 6 years. They happen in the first third of the night (1-3 hours after falling asleep), last 5-20 minutes, and the child falls right back to sleep. Important difference from nightmares: with nightmares, the child WAKES UP, remembers, needs comfort. With night terrors, they do NOT.

الأسئلة الشائعة

Are night terrors dangerous for my child?

No. Your child is NOT suffering, even though it looks that way. They are not awake, not afraid, and remember nothing the next morning. Night terrors are more distressing for parents than for the child. They resolve on their own as the nervous system matures.

How do I tell the difference between a night terror and a nightmare?

Night terror: Child seems awake but is NOT. Doesn't recognise you, doesn't respond to talking, cannot be comforted, remembers nothing. Happens in the first third of the night. Nightmare: Child WAKES UP, cries, can describe the dream, needs and accepts comfort. Happens in the last third of the night.