Night terrors are common among kids between the ages of four and twelve. But in some cases, younger children experience it as well. How can you help such a child?
Most of the time, it may be nothing to worry about. Here are some steps to take when they occur:
Don’t wake the infant
When you notice that the child is having night terrors, don’t wake it up. Forcing your baby to wake up may make it more difficult when it’s time to go back to bed. Just ensure that the child is safe. You can hold the child down, so it doesn’t hit his head on the crib.
Start a bedtime routine
This includes not staying up late. Kids should get adequate sleep, so ensure that they sleep earlier. Don’t wait until they are too tired before putting them to bed.
Reduce stress
Reduce any stress the child may be facing, as this may be a part of the problem. Also, make sure that you stick to the routine even while you’re traveling.
Visit the pediatrician
Night terrors usually stop in a short while if you follow the tips above. When they become too frequent, it is time to inform the pediatrician about the problem. Before going to the doctor, note patterns during the nightmares and document it. This will ease the diagnosis, and the doctor will come up with an effective solution.