DGD having trouble sleeping..... need suggestions

[Claudia1]

DGD is 20 months old and has never had any significant sleeping problems. In the last 3 months, she has begun waking up in the middle of the night, screaming. This happens 2 or 3 times a week and she only wants her Mommy. She clings to her and sobs like she is scared. She is not waking up because she is hungry or just wants to play. I am occasionally up late (and into the wee hours of the monring). When I'm up, I keep the nursery monitor with me. One minute she is sleeping soundly and the next minute, she is screaming. It is not like we can hear her and get into her room before she is fully awake.

I'm guessing that she is having nightmares. She doesn't pull up her legs like a tummy ache. She doesn't want anything to eat or drink. DD just holds her, rocks her, and soothes her back to sleep. Sometimes DGD doesn't even open her eyes or is fully awake. She is just hysterical and it takes 15-30 minutes to get her back to sleep.

Nothing has changed in her crib or room since her birth. Same bed, same location, same lighting, same blanket, etc... No new noises in the house, either, to disturb her. Nothing has changed in her time away from Mommy and she is with her alot. No new eating habits, either.

Anybody have any suggestions or helpful comments? I feel so bad for her (and DD, too)!

 

[hockeymom7691]

Is she overtired when she goes to bed? That's the only thing I can come up with. My son is going to be 13 and still does this when he's over tired. He's been like that since he was an infant. If he is over tired, he wakes up (not really wide awake) screaming or he yells in his sleep.

 

[Randi]

My oldest son did that too. They called it "night terrors" back then, (the mid 60's). Scared me more than him. It almost seemed like he wasn't awake, but just wanted some hugging and then would go back to sleep. It was explained to me that it was just another growing up phase as he became more mobile and more aware of his surroundings during the day. Which made sense at the time. They eventually tapered off, although he did have a few once he started school.
Doncha wish kids came with instruction manuals? With the troubleshooting guides too!
Enjoy your grandchild.

 

[mommytotwo]

What if you put some relaxing music or a favorite doll for her to cuddle with when she is scared? My daughter wakes up with nightmares at times also for no reason.

 

[Maray]

Teething?
Does she have her second year molars?
Sometimes Ear pain can make them wake up screaming like that too.
It seems sometimes just the position of laying down can cause fluid in the ears and pain.
I would suggest a visit to Ped. Dr. if it keeps up?
This happened with my grandson.He had an ear infection with no other signs of illness.
Wait, I just realized you said three mos!
Then teeth, maybe.
I've heard of "night terrors"but I thought they were usually older, around three?

Hope you can find the reason soon.
Poor baby.(Gramma and mom, too)
Sorry, I couldn't be of more help,
Hugs, Marilyn

 

[dcgrumpy]

my 1yo started doing that at around 7mos. The only thing that calms her down is a bottle, she usually takes a few sips and falls back to sleep.

 

[julybride]

Originally posted by Randi
My oldest son did that too. They called it "night terrors" back then, (the mid 60's). Scared me more than him. It almost seemed like he wasn't awake, but just wanted some hugging and then would go back to sleep. It was explained to me that it was just another growing up phase as he became more mobile and more aware of his surroundings during the day. Which made sense at the time. They eventually tapered off, although he did have a few once he started school.
Doncha wish kids came with instruction manuals? With the troubleshooting guides too!
Enjoy your grandchild.

They still call it night terrors (totally different than a nightmare) and all you can do is love them through it. There little minds are just developing so rapidly and sometimes it's hard to process it all. "Fortunately" it is more frightening for us parents. Your baby is probably not really awake when they are having a night terror. In fact a friend of ours was told by the ped NOT to wake DS when she is having night terrors.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Is she going through a growth spurt right now? My DNephew would wake up crying because his legs were hurting.

 

[Claudia1]

Thanks, everybody! I guess we were lucky that neither of our children went thru this.

She has recently had a visit to her Ped. and her ears were all clear. I'll suggest that DD call them anyway, just in case. She has a mouthful of teeth and no new ones coming in, either.

I hope it doesn't last for too many more weeks.

Thanks again!