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Suggest Remedy For Excessive Crying And Screaming In A Child

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Posted on Thu, 15 Oct 2015
Question: Hello
I am facing a problem of my 16 month old waking up in middle of her sleep crying and sounding frightened. At night she just starts screaming.. Sometimes with her eyes closed shut. This started for a few nights and is making our life very tough.
Are these night terrors?
Please advise.
Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Most likely it is night terror

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

I can understand your concern.The pattern you are describing is typical of night terror, although it is less common in this age.
There are various sleep levels(Non REM and REM sleep)and changing sleep levels causes confusional arousals also called night terror.
Babies with these events appears to be in severe distress but in most of the cases they don't have any awareness of the arousal and there is no harm at all.

Whenever you notice these events just make her comfortable and sooth her so that she gets back into the deeper sleep or you can wake her up for few minutes and then make her asleep.

I would like to know if there is any change in day activity or if she is suffering from any cough/cold or nasal obstruction.
Usually these events occur during first half of the night and if you have noticed any particular time,then waking the baby about 15-20 minutes before the event helps in breaking the cycle.
Night terrors don't have any bad affect on health/mind and the frequency gets decreased as the baby grows.

Please let me know if you have any more queries and I shall be glad to help you out.

Take care and All the best.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain

Pediatrician, Cardiology

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2074 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Excessive Crying And Screaming In A Child

Brief Answer: Most likely it is night terror Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query I can understand your concern.The pattern you are describing is typical of night terror, although it is less common in this age. There are various sleep levels(Non REM and REM sleep)and changing sleep levels causes confusional arousals also called night terror. Babies with these events appears to be in severe distress but in most of the cases they don't have any awareness of the arousal and there is no harm at all. Whenever you notice these events just make her comfortable and sooth her so that she gets back into the deeper sleep or you can wake her up for few minutes and then make her asleep. I would like to know if there is any change in day activity or if she is suffering from any cough/cold or nasal obstruction. Usually these events occur during first half of the night and if you have noticed any particular time,then waking the baby about 15-20 minutes before the event helps in breaking the cycle. Night terrors don't have any bad affect on health/mind and the frequency gets decreased as the baby grows. Please let me know if you have any more queries and I shall be glad to help you out. Take care and All the best. Regards