This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. If in doubt, contact your paediatrician or midwife.
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.
Possible Causes
- 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
What You Can Do
- 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
When to See a Doctor
- 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)
Age-Specific Notes
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are night terrors dangerous for my child?
How do I tell the difference between a night terror and a nightmare?
Weekly tips for you
Personalised info for your stage — free, no spam.
Question about Night Terrors (Pavor Nocturnus) in Babies & Toddlers?
Our AI answers instantly — with empathy and evidence.
This article is for general information only. It does not replace individual medical advice. If you have concerns, contact your paediatrician, midwife, or call emergency services.