Nightmares or a physical problem?

[April Dawn]

My DS, age 16 months, wakes up screaming sometimes. He is absolutely inconsolable. He still wakes up to eat sometimes (I exclusively pump and he gets bottles of expressed breastmilk, so we will give him a bottle when he needs one). But sometimes he wakes, he's not interested in a bottle, and he is howling like something is really wrong. We cosleep, and when he wakes he will often throw himself against me and lay there crying and shaking for 5-10 minutes before settling back down. It's been bad lately, and last night was horrible. I wonder if it's nightmares. If so, what can I do? And is there any distinctive behavior to look for that will tell you that a mostly pre-verbal toddler is having a nightmare? Thanks!

Edited by April Dawn - 7/6/11 at 7:37am

[mamaprovides]

sounds like nightmares. sounds awful. Know that because you are RIGHT there it is the best things to do. Is he going through a big developmental push?

The root could be ANYTHING...at this age there is just no way to tell.

If you are into this sort of thing I HIGHLY recommend Lycopodium. A homeopathic. probably a 12x before bed for like a week (but most likely 3-5 days). Once you see a change in him stop giving it to him.

Things to know...lycopodium will give him a nice hefty large dark poo (really helps with constipation among other things)...If it doesn't come before 10am I would be shocked. Once this poo becomes more loose, stop taking it. That, for me, is the best indicator since you are dealing with someone nonverbal.

Because it is a medicine you don't want to give it forever. the shorter the better...but that too depends on what you believe when it comes to homeopathics...

And or

You may want to add some chamomile to your bedtime routine. Traditional medicinals has a nighttime tea kinda like sleepytime but my kids won't drink it. They love chamomile (with honey) before bed. This is a great way to end the day.

But also know that if you do nothing it will go away...sooner or later...probably...and you can just stick it out and just be there saying the soothing things you have been saying.

hope that helps.