What are night terrors and what should I do?
Night terrors are sudden episodes of screaming and thrashing during deep sleep, usually in the first few hours of the night, while the child stays asleep and unaware. They look frightening but are usually harmless, and the child does not remember them.
What a night terror is
The AAP explains that night terrors happen during the deepest stages of sleep, usually early in the night, often before the parents' own bedtime. Nemours notes they often occur about 2 to 3 hours after a child falls asleep.
During an episode a child may suddenly sit up, scream or shout, thrash, sweat, breathe fast, and have eyes open, yet remain asleep and unaware. They are very hard to wake and cannot be comforted in the usual way.
Night terrors are most common in children under 12 and usually resolve on their own as a child gets older. Treatment is typically not needed.
What to do during an episode
Do not try to wake your child. Nemours notes this usually does not work, and a child who does wake is likely to be confused, upset, and slower to settle.
Stay calm and stay nearby to keep your child safe. The AAP advises making sure the child cannot hurt themselves and gently guiding them back if they try to get out of bed.
Wait it out. The episode will pass on its own, after which your child typically settles back into calm sleep without ever fully waking.
- Keep your child safe and clear the area of hazards.
- Do not shout, shake, or try to wake them.
- Speak little; stay close and let it pass.
- Guide them gently back to bed if they move.
Night terrors versus nightmares
These are different events, and they call for opposite responses. A nightmare is a frightening dream, so comforting and reassuring your awake child is the right response. A night terror happens during deep sleep, so the response is to keep your child safe and not wake them.
- Sleep stage: night terrors occur in deep non-REM sleep; nightmares occur during REM dreaming.
- Timing: night terrors happen in the first few hours of the night; nightmares tend to come in the second half.
- Awareness: during a night terror the child stays asleep; after a nightmare the child wakes up.
- Memory: night terrors are not remembered; nightmares are often recalled, sometimes vividly.
- Your response: comfort an awake child after a nightmare; keep a child safe and do not wake them during a night terror.
How long they last and when to call the doctor
Most night terrors last only a few minutes, though the AAP notes some can run as long as 45 minutes before the child settles.
Triggers include being overtired, stress, illness or fever, and an irregular sleep schedule. The main prevention is a consistent, adequate sleep routine.
Contact your pediatrician if episodes last longer than 30 minutes, happen more than once a week, disrupt sleep, leave your child fearful or stressed during the day, or include signs like stiffening, jerking, or snoring that could point to another sleep problem.
Related questions
- Should I wake my child during a night terror?
- No. The AAP and Nemours advise against waking a child during a night terror. Waking usually does not work and tends to leave the child confused and harder to settle. Instead, stay calm, keep them safe, speak little, and wait for the episode to pass. The child stays asleep throughout and will not remember it.
- What is the difference between a night terror and a nightmare?
- A nightmare is a scary dream during REM sleep later in the night; the child wakes, remembers it, and is comforted by reassurance. A night terror happens during deep non-REM sleep in the first few hours; the child stays asleep, is hard to wake, and does not remember it. Comfort an awake child after a nightmare, but keep a child safe and do not wake them during a night terror.
- How long do night terrors last and when should I worry?
- Most last only a few minutes, though the AAP notes some can run up to 45 minutes. Call your pediatrician if episodes last longer than 30 minutes, occur more than once a week, disrupt sleep, leave your child distressed during the day, or include stiffening, jerking, or snoring. They usually resolve on their own with age.
Sources & further reading
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App Store Google Play Open Web AppThis article reflects current AAP, CDC, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.