Parenting tip from Nanny Robina!
After some absence from our bog (we’re working on it and expect to be fully up and running in January!), we’re back with a parenting post from Nanny Robina.
When your child “wakes up” with a night terror, go in and check on him but don’t speak to him or try to comfort him. Your child will resist and fight you, he will appear confused and disoriented, and then from this you will pretty much know it is a night terror.
Trying to soothe your child will only make him more upset, but you should not try to awaken him at this time either.
He may think you are attacking him, this may bring on fear. Instead, just let the night terror run its course, and stay nearby to make sure your toddler doesn’t hurt himself.
Your child may also be having bad dreams. Your child’s imagination is developing, and they are learning so much at this age that their imagination can’t help but carry over into their sleep. They go to bed thinking and all sorts of tricks come into their mind and that can make for a very unsettling night.
When he wakes up after a bad dream, go in and comfort him. Stay for a few moments, that should do the trick, if needs be, stay with him until he falls back to sleep if he asks you to, but avoid bringing him to your bed; this will only make for some major bed time shenanigans!
Other common causes of night-waking in otherwise good sleepers include illness, and of course separation anxiety, which often comes around the age of 9 -12 months and not unusual it shows in older children as well.
When your toddler wakes up during the night, be soothing and calming, but boring; don’t let him feel this is fun, or else you know it will become a regular little stint!. Let him know that everything is okay, but that it’s time to sleep.
Keep the chit chat to a minimum and the lights low. It may take a few nights or even a few weeks to get back on track, but the more you stick to his regular routine the sooner the problem will be resolved.
