gentle discipline for yelling during sleep?

[MomtotheBrownTroop]

Our 2.5y.o. dd is in the 'habit' of stirring out of sleep at night and then crying loudly and/or yelling. It is like she doesn't want to be awake and is mad that she is. But, no one except herself woke her up. It is also hard to get her attention in telling her to be more quiet - it is as if she's still asleep just enough to not be able to hear what I am saying.

We do all co-sleep and always have so she is right next to me. Our 4.5 month old ds does wake her up some but usually it is more her waking him & I and dh up. She seems to be well-adjusted to the baby during the day. And, fortunately, it is not every night that she does this - just the nights I go to bed really tired! LOL!

Any thoughts?

With kind regards,
Crickett

[kamilla626]

That kind of yelling sounds more like Night Terrors - which is a common sleep disorder that kids usually outgrow, and shouldn't be seen as a discipline issue or an intentional behavior problem.

Google "night terrors, toddlers" or "children, sleep disorders"... You should find a lot of info about that kind of behavior.

[lilylove]

I agree sounds just like night terrors.
You could also take a look at our The Family Bed And Nighttime Parenting forum. There are likely mamas there, that have been there and can offer support and advice.

[mollyeilis]

night terrors, bad dreams, whatever. Sounds like a sleep thing, not a problem. Scary for others, disturbing for others, but not a discipline thing, gentle or otherwise.

[Piglet68]

For us, night time is a unique situation. My child is NOT coherent or fully "in her mind" when she wakes at night like that. As hard as it is when she is crying hard, you cannot talk to her or reason with her. I know she is disoriented and very agitated, and we just meet it with lots of snuggles and hugs. Fortunately it doesn't happen often.

[**guest**]

we went through a really tough period, with lots of screaming, possibly night terrors. she would scream and scream, and the baby was in our bed too, so we were all very frustrated. except the baby


it still happens occasionally, but not so extreme. Dd is out of it, and it seems that the sound of my voice soothes her. most of the time i tell her 'you are okay, i am here, you are asleep' and it seems to work. i doubt she understands me, as a couple of time, in frustration i hissed at her 'sleep now' , and her reaction was exactly the same -- turn on her side and keep on sleeping.

i find that being at peace with it and not freaking out helps me to be empathetic and relaxed about it.