Night Terrors?

In the past two weeks, my kids have switched to toddler beds and have enjoyed their newfound freedom, which includes climbing into each other's beds. Naps are a daily struggle--sometimes they settle down, sometimes they don't (and more often they destroy their room). DS likes to climb into DD bed and they play. They were sleeping soundly through the night until two nights ago...DD woke up twice two nights ago SCREAMING at the top of her lungs, banging on the door to get out. She says, "NO OWEN!" Owen is sound asleep in his bed. Last night she woke up four times, and just now she woke up hysterical. I opened the door for her and she ran past me shrieking, "No Owen in bed!" My son is again sound asleep in his own bed. I scooped her up and she calmed down almost immediately in my arms. She said a few minutes later, calmly, "Owen sleeping in bed." and pointed to him. I know during the day when they play she doesn't always like him in her bed, but they happily play together (mostly happily) every day. What would cause her to freak out like this at night? Prior to switching beds, I rarely experienced this from her, maybe twice int the span of 2 1/2 years. So I'm guessing the transition is part of it...maybe the fear of something getting into her bed, and she says Owen because he has? If anyone can shed any light or similar experience they've had I would truly appreciate it!!!

 

Hi Allegra,

It doesn't sound like a night terror to me. My DS had a number of those right before they turned 2, and my DD had one or two. They were awful. Very loud screaming and crying, but they could not be consoled and it lasted for 20-40 minutes. They weren't responsive to any type of soothing and would get agitated if we touched them.

I wonder if she is having nightmares? Maybe anxiety about the new changes? Hopefully someone else will chime in with more experience.

Beth

 

I think it sounds like a nightmare, not a night terror, because she can be consoled. Try talking to her--ask if she had a bad dream. Tell her that Owen isn't in her bed. Just talk to her in a soothing voice. I also find it helpful to talk to them the next day when they are more matter of fact about it.

 

I'm guessing nightmares from transitioning and/or anxiety too. Shortly after I wrote this post, I went to bed and she awoke an hour later screaming again. I went into their room and she was IN Owen's bed this time, looking for Owen. It's as if she thinks he gets up and walks out of his crib and she wants to keep tabs on him...she is checking where he is all the time. Then a few minutes ago she woke up very early, not screaming, padded down the hall and stopped...I met her there and she said, "Owen?" I carried her back to bed and once more reassured her that he was sleeping his bed and she had to do the same. It's exhausting...I am guessing it's part of the transition and I'm hoping it ends asap!

 

Maybe she is lonely in all that space. Jessy has to have a stuffed animal to sleep with and then half the time she doesn't sleep all the way thru the night. Her favorite is a teddy bears stuffer bear that's looks like lotso from ts3 and is half her size