How to Stop Night Terrors
Does Your Kid Get Night Terrors? Here's How to Scare Them Off For Good
What Causes Night Terrors?
Although there is no scientific evidence that says night terrors are caused by one specific thing, experts agree that a mix of biological and environmental factors causes them.
"There are indications that stress and over-tiredness can trigger night terrors in people who are prone to them, and sleep apnea can certainly make it hard for children to get enough rest," explains Markham.
Children with anxiety issues are also at a higher risk for having sleep terrors along with kids who tend to overheat when they're sleeping (so avoid footy pajamas at all costs!).
Markham explains that kids who are sick or have allergies may be at a higher risk of experiencing night terrors.
"[Being sick] makes it harder to breathe, which may trigger night terrors," explains Markham. "Ask your doctor about using Benadryl until he's back to normal. Some physicians say that removing the tonsils and adenoids can immediately cure night terrors in cases where they were regularly swollen and the child was having a hard time breathing at night."
And interestingly enough, moving dinner time a touch earlier may nip your kid's sleeping problem right in the bud, since children who ate dinner later in the night were more prone to having their sleep disrupted.
