crazy tantrums?

[angieluvsramon]

my son has been waking up in the middle of the night just screaming and screaming for like an hour straight. I dont know why he does this. he is not teething, i have tried to ignore them i have tried to give him his space but this happens almost every night waking up the baby. I dont know why this is going on and I dont know what to do. He also does this at least twice a week during the day, just all of a sudden. He is really acting out and I feel so bad because I yell at him. Im trying not to lose my temper and yell but he has changed so much! he went from my sweet little angel to a child I feel like I dont even know anymore! any advice would be great! please tell me how you handle your toddlers tantrums.

[abac]

Poor little guy. If he's waking up screaming in the middle of the night, my first thought is that he's scared. Could he be having nightmares? Is he afraid of the dark? Have you talked to him about it? Could he have a flashlight in his room? Could he sleep with you? Sleep in your room on a floor matress?

I would concentrate less on how to deal with the tantrums and more on figuring out what is causing them. This doesn't sound like typical toddler frustration induced tantrums.

[Twocoolboys]

This sounds more like a night terror than a tantrum to me. Both of my sons have had night terrors. It is hard to handle when it is happening. Hugs.

[angieluvsramon]

Originally Posted by abac

Poor little guy. If he's waking up screaming in the middle of the night, my first thought is that he's scared. Could he be having nightmares? Is he afraid of the dark? Have you talked to him about it? Could he have a flashlight in his room? Could he sleep with you? Sleep in your room on a floor matress?

I would concentrate less on how to deal with the tantrums and more on figuring out what is causing them. This doesn't sound like typical toddler frustration induced tantrums.

we all sleep together in the living room we pull the matress out. he is only 21 months so he dont really tell me. I have tried to figure it out but its just frusterating!

[abac]

I imagine that is very frustrating. Is there somewhere else you could sleep with him for a while, so that when this does happen he doesn't wake baby? Could you and your dp take turns sleeping with him?

Try to remember in the moment that he is not doing this to frustrate you; he has a real need. This is a time when he needs you to be there for him and comfort him and reassure him. Listen to him. Is he vocal at all? Can you ask him if he's scared or hurt so he could respond with yes or no?

It must be very difficult to deal with, especially when you have a newborn. It must be quite an adjustment for your little guy also.

[angieluvsramon]

Originally Posted by Twocoolboys

This sounds more like a night terror than a tantrum to me. Both of my sons have had night terrors. It is hard to handle when it is happening. Hugs.

I did some research on night terror and that is what it sounds like to me. I remember one night he started screaming and I tried to hold him and comfort him and he ran like he diddnt know me!! that was so scary for me I diddnt know what was wrong with him! How did you deal with night terror when it occured? the things that I have read say to just leave him alone, we live in a small apartment and dominick will scream for about an hour when this happens
I just wish I knew how to calm him down.

[Maela]

No advice really, but
My brother had these when he was about that age. I think the hardest thing is just staying calm while it's happening. I don't know if there is much that you can do besides be near him or hold him if he lets you.

[momma of monkeys]

nak...my ds had night terrors when he was twoish...I had him in play therapy and the therapist taught me how to respond to him while having an episode. Sometimes the appropriate response would be to hug and hold him. Other times it would be better to leave him alone.
Ds also had raging episodes during that time. It is very hard to be a mom who cannot comfort your child...I am sorry you are going through it...btdt, s & love to you momma...

[Twocoolboys]

Originally Posted by angieluvsramon

How did you deal with night terror when it occured? the things that I have read say to just leave him alone, we live in a small apartment and dominick will scream for about an hour when this happens
I just wish I knew how to calm him down.

My boys were still asleep when they had night terrors. They would be asleep for some time and would generally wake up near the end. Theirs always lasted about an hour too. Honestly, there was never much I could do. Comforting seemed futile even. But, I would stay with them until they were comfortably back to sleep. Actually, my 2 year old still sleeps with us, so he was always with us when he had a night terror anyway. He hasn't had one in several months, so hopefully, he's outgrown them.

[Cherie2]

Growing pain?

When my daughter was a baby she would do that... wake up and just scream in pain and agony for hours, when she was finally able to talk she told me her leg was hurting. I would give her Tylenol and she would go back to sleep. This happened also with my son but by this time I knew what it was and could head it off with Tylenol.

[GuildJenn]

We haven't experienced those yet but my sister in law said she helped my nephew over them by waking him up before he had them (his were about the same time every night), which helped reset his sleep clock a lot of nights.

Other than that just good thoughts your way.