As a parent, it can be deeply unsettling to witness your child suddenly sit up in bed, scream, or appear terrified — especially when they don’t respond to you and have no memory of it the next day. These episodes, known as night terrors, are surprisingly common in young children and are often misunderstood. In this blog, we’ll explore what night terrors are, how they differ from nightmares, what causes them, and most importantly, how you can support your child through them.
What is a night terror?
Night terrors typically occur 2–3 hours after a child falls asleep, during the transition from the deepest stage of non-REM sleep to lighter REM sleep. Unlike nightmares, night terrors are not dreams. They are more like sudden fear reactions that happen as the brain shifts between sleep stages.
Only around 3% of children experience night terrors, usually between the ages of 3 and 12. They tend to be slightly more common in boys. The cause is linked to an overactive central nervous system during sleep. Since a child’s brain is still developing, it may have difficulty managing smooth sleep transitions.
There’s also a genetic factor — children are more likely to have night terrors if there’s a family history of sleepwalking or night terrors. The good news is that most children outgrow them naturally as their brain matures.
The difference between night terrors and nightmares:
It’s easy to confuse night terrors with nightmares, but there are key differences. Night terrors happen early in the night, typically within the first few hours of sleep. In contrast, nightmares tend to occur later, during lighter sleep in the early morning hours.
Children experiencing a night terror often appear terrified — they might scream, breathe quickly, or sit bolt upright in bed. However, they usually don’t respond to comfort and often don’t recognise their surroundings. By morning, they usually have no memory of the episode.
With nightmares, children wake up scared but are able to talk about what happened and are generally comforted by a parent. These dreams are often vividly remembered.
Key signs of a night terror:
During a night terror, a child may suddenly sit up, cry out, appear panicked or confused, and breathe rapidly. They may thrash around or push you away if you try to comfort them. Despite seeming awake, they’re not truly conscious and won’t usually respond. Most children have no memory of it the next day.
What can trigger night terrors?
Night terrors are more likely when a child is overtired, ill, running a fever, or adjusting to a new environment such as a hotel or a relative’s home. Certain medications may also play a role. Anything that disrupts a child’s normal sleep pattern can increase the chance of a night terror episode.
Should I wake my child during a night terror?
If your child is having a night terror, the best thing you can do is stay calm. Avoid trying to wake them — doing so can increase confusion and make the episode last longer. Instead, stay nearby and gently make sure they’re safe, keeping them from falling out of bed or bumping into furniture. Most night terrors pass within a few minutes, and your child will settle back to sleep on their own.
Preventing night terrors:
Helping your child get plenty of rest is one of the best ways to prevent night terrors. The NHS suggests sticking to a consistent, calming bedtime routine can also make a big difference. Reducing stress during the day and avoiding late bedtimes or overtiredness may help minimise episodes.
When to seek help:
Night terrors can be distressing to watch, but they’re usually not harmful. However, you should speak to a doctor if the episodes happen frequently, occur more than once a night, or begin to affect your child’s daytime mood or behaviour. In some cases, a referral to a sleep specialist might be needed.
If your struggling with Night terrors, please reach out.
