My toddler wakes up at night

United States
August 29, 2008 2:51pm CST
My little girl is 2 1/2 years old and she wakes up almost the same time every night crying. I think she might be having a bad dream or something because you can tell she isn't "awake" her eyes are open but you can tell she really isn't registering anything. I don't know... I just didn't know if anyone else has ever gone through something like this and if so, what did you do for your child?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
29 Aug 08
You are not supposed to wake them up as that can even scare them more. Try just to hug her, speak calmly to her, and hopefully she'll calm down and get back to sleep. My oldest did that, it worked for her. In the morning try and discuss dreams with her. I know it's difficult at that age but with enough patience she'll give you clues. Try and find out what is bothering her to cause the nightmares and reassure her that it cannot harm her. It'll pass.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
29 Aug 08
I woke my son up out of every one of his and he was never scared. He also did not remember even waking up in the morning. If it is a nightmare they will be awake. If it is a night terror they do not wake up and they have no knowledge of it in the morning.
• United States
22 Sep 08
I thank you girls for all of your help! I didn't even think about sleep apnea so I really appreciate it and I am going to discuss it with my Dr. at her 3 year well child check. She hasn't done it the past 3 nights and I haven't changed anything but I am keeping a note of it and really think you guys all had great ideas! I'm definately going to be talking to her about dreams and letting her know they can't harm her! Thank you.
@vijigopi (991)
• United States
1 Sep 08
My 2 year old son doesn't wake up but starts crying in his sleep every night. If I don't console him soon enough then he wakes up completely and doesn't stop crying for a long time because he is sleepy.. I usually stroke him gently and sing him a song. I don't have to finish the song for him to get back to sleep because he is half asleep. The tough part is you don't have a good throat in the middle of the night
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
30 Aug 08
i had experienced that when in my children..i guess theyre having a nightmare and sometimes theyre wet or even not feeling well..what i did was comfort them by hugging and touching the baby and whisper comforting words or even sing to them...sometimes i cant properly sleep..but i guess its the part of having a newly born child..have to be patient and careful at times and be sensitive on their needs..
@grammasnook (1871)
• United States
29 Aug 08
My son went through periods of this as well, come to find out he was having some major growing pains. Try just comforting the child. You might want to make sure that you change the pillow every six month in case it is something like sleep apnea. Keep a calendar with nights and times of this happening. If it persists for a long time talk to your doctor. They can also have restless leg syndrome as well since they are so active at that age.
@lou1982 (122)
29 Aug 08
my little girl woke up every night crying she had a dummy i`d put it back in her mouth and she`d go back to sleep it happened every night she would also come in my bed at 2/3 in morning every night i`d put her back then wake up a few hours later and she`d be back in bed again she couldnt remember in morning how she got there! she grew out of both these by the time she was 3 and a half good look
• United States
30 Aug 08
My 4 year old does that occasionally now but use to do it alot and i think its kinda scary to see them like that she would be screaming and i would go in there and like you said her eyes would be open but shes not awake. i always just lay her back down and rub her back or something and tell her i am there and she usually goes right back to sleep.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
29 Aug 08
Try waking her up. My son used to have night terrors at that age. He was not awake. The fastest way I found to calm him down when he had one was to actually wake him up. He would stop right away and settle back down and go right back to sleep. Good luck!