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Night Terrors in Children


Sleep terrors, also known as night terrors, are a type of partial waking from deep sleep that can be alarming for parents. They typically involve a child suddenly sitting up in bed, appearing terrified, crying or screaming loudly, with wide eyes and a panicked expression. Despite their intense reactions, children experiencing a sleep terror are not fully awake, and they often seem confused, unresponsive, and unable to communicate. While sleep terrors can occur at any age, they are most common in children between the ages of 4 and 12.


a child experiencing night terrors

When Do Night Terrors Occur?


Night terrors are distinct from nightmares in both timing and presentation. They usually happen 1-4 hours after your child falls asleep, around the time they transition from deep non-REM sleep into lighter stages of sleep. This typically occurs at the end of the first or second sleep cycle. Unlike nightmares, where a child may wake up scared and remember the dream, children experiencing night terrors do not recall the episode the next day.


Each sleep terror episode can last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes and often follows a similar pattern:


✔️ The child sits up abruptly in bed

✔️ They cannot be comforted or consoled

✔️ The episode cannot be stopped

✔️ They may have a rapid heart rate, flushed skin, excessive sweating, dilated pupils, and increased muscle tone

✔️ Once the episode ends, the child lays back down and resumes sleep as if nothing happened


a child experiencing night terrors

What Triggers Night Terrors?


There are several triggers to night terrors and the key to resolving them and stopping them from occurring in the first place starts with identifying the trigger. Recurrent night terrors are often linked to irregular sleep schedules or chronic sleep deprivation underlying medical conditions and can often be improved by adjusting sleep habits. However, there are cases where the night terrors can be a result of an underlying issue.


Several factors contribute to the occurrence of sleep terrors, including:


  • Over tiredness or poor sleep quality

  • Disrupted sleep schedules

  • Illness or fever

  • High levels of stress or anxiety

  • Underlying Issues

  • Nutritional Deficiencies



How to Handle Night Terrors


Once a night terror has started, there's not anything you can do to stop them in the moment they occur. Whilst it can be tempting to try and rouse your child from their sleep to stop the night terror, you must refrain from waking your child as this can prolong the episode and cause further confusion. It is most beneficial to navigate the night terror once it starts with the right tools to ease your concerns without disturbing your child. Here are a few things you can implement when a night terror occurs:


💤 Stay calm and ensure their safety – gently guide them if they are moving, but avoid restraining them unless necessary for safety

💤 Wait for the episode to pass – night terrors come to an end on their own, and your child will go back to sleep naturally

💤 Avoid discussing the episode the next day – bringing attention to it may cause unnecessary sleep anxiety



Preventing Night Terrors


Since night terrors are often linked to over tiredness and poor sleep habits, there are a few ways you can minimise them:


✔️ Ensure your child is getting enough sleep for their age

✔️ Maintain a consistent bedtime and wake-up time - an 11-12 hour night sleep window is a good guide

✔️ Reduce stress and overstimulation before bedtime

✔️ Identify and address any underlying issues or disruptions


a parent helping a child through their night terror


While sleep terrors can be distressing to witness, they are more concerning for the parent to observe rather than how a child experiences the night terror. Most children outgrow them by adolescence however, it's not an occurrence that you should just sit by and wait for them to outgrow. By improving sleep quality and ensuring a well-structured sleep balance, you can help reduce their frequency and severity.


If you feel like your child has a well-balanced sleep structure and they are still experiencing night terrors, your next step is to delve into what may be interrupting their sleep quality by using my Underlying Issues Check List.


Otherwise, you can schedule a free 15-Minute Discovery Call to discuss your options around personalised, professional support.


Shereen xx



I'm Shereen Nielsen, a certified Sleep Consultant specialising in infants and children from birth to 15 years old. With over eight years of experience, I've assisted over 4500 families in achieving better sleep. Additionally, I serve as a lecturer and mentor, guiding aspiring sleep consultants on their path to certification through my internationally recognised online Sleep Consultant Course.


Phone: +61419820474

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