How to Manage Night Terrors in Children
Night terrors are a sleep disorder that is especially common in young children. They occur when a child wakes up suddenly and is scared and agitated. While they are usually not remembered in the morning, these episodes can be very disturbing for parents and families. There are some things that can be done to manage night terrors in children, making them easier to cope with and prevent.
Physically, children who suffer from night terrors do not appear to be awake and often can’t be comforted during the episode. In addition to being frightened, the child may have an increased breathing rate and a racing heart rate. Night terrors usually occur between one to two hours after a child falls asleep.
Night terrors mainly occur with children aged 3-12. They are not usually caused by an underlying medical or psychological condition, but can be triggered by too little sleep, stress, or illness. Some people believe that they can be genetically inherited.
Creating a Healthy Sleep Routine
One of the best ways to manage night terrors in children is to ensure they are getting enough sleep. Children should be on a regular bedtime routine and should have 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Most importantly, children should not stay up too late, or they are at higher risk of experiencing a night terror episode. Parents can also create a relaxing sleep-time environment, which can help prevent night terrors from occurring.
Parents should also help their children to identify and manage stress and other emotions during the day. Making sure your child has enough activities to engage in can also help to reduce the likelihood of night terrors.
Setting Up a Safe Environment
Parents should do their best to make sure their child’s bedroom is safe and secure. Night terrors usually cause children to feel frightened and to act out physically in their sleep. Having a safe environment can help to reduce the risk of your child harming themselves during a night terror episode. This includes having the bed on the floor, away from furniture, and making sure the room is well-lit.
It is also important to make sure your child does not have access to items they could use to hurt themselves during an episode. This includes items like sharp objects or glass containers.
When an episode of night terrors occurred, it is best to stay calm and to try not to wake your child up. If you do wake your child up, it is important to be gentle and reassuring. It can be helpful to talk to them about what happened and help them to understand that everything is okay now.
Getting Help from a Professional
If your child’s night terrors become too severe or happen too often, you may wish to seek professional help.Your child’s doctor may be able to suggest some coping strategies or refer you to a specialist. A specialist may be able to diagnose any underlying causes of the night terrors and develop an individualized treatment plan.
- Creating a healthy sleep routine
- Setting up a safe environment
- Getting help from a professional
Conclusion
Night terrors in children can be a difficult disorder for parents and families to deal with. Through creating a healthy sleep routine and setting up a safe environment, night terrors can become easier to manage. If you believe your child’s night terrors are too severe and may be affecting their quality of life, then it is important to seek help from a healthcare professional.