It's 11 p.m., and your child is screaming. You rush in: they're sitting up in bed, eyes wide open, sweating, thrashing... and they don't even seem to see you. A few minutes later, they go back to sleep as if nothing happened. The next day, they remember nothing. It's most likely a night terror. Frightening for parents, but generally harmless.
What is a night terror?
It's a partial awakening during deep sleep. The child's brain is half awake, half asleep: they scream, thrash, may have a racing heart, but they aren't conscious. That's why they don't recognize you and have no memory of it.
Night terrors happen mostly early in the night, in the first few hours after falling asleep. They're common in young children, especially preschool and elementary-age kids, and usually go away as they grow.
Night terror or nightmare: how to tell the difference?
| Night terror | Nightmare | |
|---|---|---|
| When? | Early in the night | More often late in the night |
| Are they awake? | No, they don't recognize you | Yes, they come find you or call for you |
| Can they be comforted? | No, they may push you away | Yes, they need reassurance |
| Memory in the morning? | None | Yes, they can tell you about their dream |
What to do during a night terror
- Don't wake them: it can prolong the episode and leave them disoriented.
- Stay nearby, calmly, without restraining them unless they might hurt themselves.
- Make it safe: nothing dangerous around the bed, a stair gate if needed.
- Wait for it to pass (often a few minutes) and let them go back to sleep.
- Don't bring it up anxiously in the morning: they don't remember it.
Why does it happen? Common triggers
- Tiredness and lack of sleep, the most classic trigger (see how many hours should a child sleep);
- irregular schedules, a bedtime that's too late;
- fever or illness;
- a full bladder, a noisy environment;
- sleep disrupted by breathing: snoring, breathing pauses, open mouth. Doctors look into this when night terrors are frequent (see my child snores).
How to prevent them
- put your child to bed a little earlier and at a set time;
- keep the nap for as long as they need it;
- a calm routine, with no screens before bed;
- have them use the bathroom right before sleeping;
- make sure they sleep in a good position and breathe through the nose.
When to see a doctor
Talk to your pediatrician if the night terrors are very frequent (several times a week), if they last a long time, if your child puts themselves in danger, if they're very tired during the day, or if they snore or pause while breathing.
What about the pillow? Deep, peaceful sleep starts with a night free of breathing trouble. A pillow at the right height helps the head stay in line and the mouth stay closed.
The Lymphelia Kids Posture Pillow has a center dip and neck support, in 3 heights by age, to keep the head in line with the back all night.
Discover the Kids Posture Pillow100-night trial · Free shipping · Which size? Take the quiz
Frequently asked questions
At what age do night terrors happen?
They're common in young children, especially preschool and elementary-age kids, and most often go away as they grow.
Should you wake a child during a night terror?
No. Stay close, make the space safe, and wait for it to pass.
Are night terrors dangerous?
Not for their health, but the child can bump into things or get out of bed: keep an eye on their safety.
My child has night terrors every night. What should I do?
See your pediatrician, especially if they snore or are tired during the day.