Extremely urgent- 3 y.o. W/ all night anxiety attack

[Aletheia]

Over the past several nights, my 3 year old, who usually sleeps through the night, has started waking screaming. It's hard to put him to sleep.

Last night, it got worse. A lot worse. He put off bedtime until 10:30-- just wouldn't fall asleep. He woke up 1.5 hours later, panicky crying. He was then up from 12:00 until 5:30. I finally got him to sleep at 5:30. He slept in either 10 or 20 minute increments until 7:30. Then he started crying desperately again and insisting on not being in bed.

It is awful. He almost hyperventilates. He screams "mama mama mama" over and over again.

He had two or three nights of night terrors in January of last year.

What the hell is going on? He is beside himself even now. Please help.

[almadianna]

mama and poor sweet boy.

My daughter had them for a while. Things we did: made sure that she had pottied before bed. That was a BIG improvement. Is your 3 yo still in diapers or recently potty trained? Also no water before bed or any drinks of the sort.

Make sure no caffeine or chocolate is in his diet (or yours if still breastfeeding).

I would also see about maybe food allergies that might be an issue. They can develop overtime so even if he has been eating something all his life he can become sensitive to something which can be causing him issues.

[morgainesmama]

It may be completely unrelated -- but around 4.5, my daughter started having night terrors. She would "wake" at night (appear awake, but I don't think she was) incoherent, panicked, hysterical, and screaming things like "The rocks on my hands! They hurt! The rocks!!!" I almost took her to the ER a few times. She flung herself into walls, flung herself into my open arms so hard she'd knock me over.

Another time she woke screaming about the rocks on her chest, that she couldn't breathe. She was breathing regularly; it was always the same dream that she had.

I myself remember two recurring nightmares I had at that age.

Eventually, she made the connection between her growing pains in the back of her knees and the dreams. I finally (when she was around 7) realized that giving her a sip of something strong, like mint-flavored tea, helped her come fully awake and move out of the dream, which I think was the point she was able to understand what was up.

She connected this terrible dream with the growing pains, and rather than just massage and stretching, I started giving her ibuprofen when she had pain in addition to the massage, heat, and stretching and staying with her until the pain was gone. Since she made the connection at age seven, she has never had another episode.

My own nightmares were mostly inspired by divorce (dreams of a train engine coming through the commissary parking lot on a rainy night, and striking my father who was holding my hand while it missed me). I don't remember associating them with pain.

But maybe working out a connection, keeping a flavored drink near the bed, and adding whatever he needs to be comfortable (tell him the story of the dreamcatcher and make one together, read the kissing hand, buy him a special lovie and/or nightlight, etc) might help.

It took me years of dealing with these intermittent episodes from dd to find the conclusion, and they were awful. I hope your solution comes sooner.

[Aletheia]

thank you- we are still trying to find sleep. i am half crazy.

[_betsy_]

The holidays haven't helped my DD's sleep at all. Too much of everything - stimulation, noise, food, excitement, tiredness, people, etc. - it's overwhelming and she carries it all around till 3 a.m. when (the last 2 nights, anyways) she sits up in bed screaming for me. And, yeah, thanks, kid, I just got the baby back to sleep. Sigh.

I'm waiting it out. Doesn't seem to be night terrors for her, just the need to let it.all.out. Too much tension. Too much off her regular routine. For us, it's all over and back to normal starting today, I hope her sleep is as well.

[Aletheia]

I apparently nominated myself for worst mother of the year when I wrote this post.

It took us 24 hours to realize he has (his first) ear infection.

He has been in so much pain! I feel awful. (But not as awful as he does.)

[Maluhia]

Nope, recind your nomination - totally common for the first ear infection when as parents we are figuring it out.

[almadianna]

Originally Posted by Aletheia

I apparently nominated myself for worst mother of the year when I wrote this post.

It took us 24 hours to realize he has (his first) ear infection.

He has been in so much pain! I feel awful. (But not as awful as he does.)

No mama, you are not the worst mother. You did not allow your child to CIO thinking that they were old enough to "deal with it" on their own. You knew there was something wrong and did what you could to help your baby. You found out within 24 hours, which honestly... is fast! You are a wonderful mother for listening to your instincts and taking care of your baby, not assuming that because of his age he was just being a "brat".