Hello!

My daughter was in a great routine until a few nights ago. I put her to bed and then within an hour she will wake up screaming and crying and won’t go back to sleep. I’m becoming exhausted with the lack of sleep I’m getting. I also have 2 other children so I’m drained by afternoon from lack of sleep from the night before. Any tips and advice would be much appreciated.


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  • Yes sounds like night terrors

    Night terrors are a part of normal development and happen in healthy children.
    During a night terror episode, stay calm and don’t touch your child unless they are going to hurt themselves.
    Make sure that your child has a good sleep routine and is getting enough sleep.
    Night terrors do not have any long-term effects on your child, and most children will outgrow them.
    A little light with music helped with my youngest. Also I had a blanket with a picture of her and myself printed, just to remind I’m always there.


  • My daughter loves the little mermaid so she now settles in bed with the book and cd (that reads her the story) then the song comes on at the end. By that time she is asleep. hope this helps.


  • Could it be night terrors? best thing you can do is to reassure your daughter that all is well she is safe and that you will always be there if she needs you


  • My son was having same problems but now we leave a light on for him and he sleeps so much better


  • My 3 year old started this recently have you tried a little night light? When she gets up don’t make a fuss just walk her straight back to bed no talking no eye contact it will take a while bu she will get the message.


  • We went thru a similar thing. My son is only 2 so he couldnt really tell me why he was getting up. Hubby and I just took it in turns to take him back to bed. we would sing a song or give him a little tickle to settle him then kiss him and Of Course kiss teddy good night and say see you in the morning. It took about 2 weeks.


  • Does she have a favourite toy that she cuddles up too or have relaxing music she can listen too


  • I used “monster spray” with my daughter at this age also. She believed the spray kept monsters away and it worked for us. No more nightmares.


  • it sounds like she might be having nightmares, maybe play some lullabies


  • Is she waking in the first few hours she is asleep? This sounds like night terrors.. Have you tried a very calm relaxed environment for her before she goes to bed? Also ask her why she wakes..


  • My son went through this – I did controlled crying, 5 mins then in to lie him down and shush him, took 3 nights and he stopped doing it. Another option is to sit and pat or just sit there until they are back asleep.


  • We recently went through the same – she finally said it was “too scary” – she was afraid of monsters. I put some water and scent into a spray bottle, called it monster spray. She sprays it around before going to bed and is fine now.


  • putting fairy lights and making sure she knows your there


  • I would try using a night light for the time being and see how this goes for her


  • Hard to say, without knowing hold old your daughter is. You have to find out why she’s waking up so upset. Is it nightmares, pain somewhere, or is it attention-seeking. Very hard to say what you can do without knowing why she’s waking up. Once you know that, then you can look at solutions.


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