Night terrors are a type of sleep disturbance that can occur in toddlers. During a night terror, a child suddenly becomes very agitated while in a state of deep sleep. They might look like they’re awake, but they are not and are not aware of having had a bad dream or a fright. Night terrors usually happen about 2-3 hours after a child falls asleep when the brain is in non-REM (non-rapid eye movement) stages of sleep. The child partly wakes up, and the area of the brain that controls “fight-or-flight” responses becomes overexcited, making the child feel panicked and terrified.

The exact cause of night terrors is not known, but some factors that can contribute to them include:

• Lack of good-quality sleep
• Stress and anxiety due to significant life changes, like a new sibling or starting preschool
• Excess fatigue due to too few Zzzs or an erratic sleep schedule
• Sickness, such as a fever or certain medications
• Family history of night terrors or sleepwalking
• Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome
• Caffeine consumption

It is important to note that night terrors are not harmful and kids almost always grow out of them. However, if a child is having night terrors along with breathing problems like snoring, it is recommended to talk with a doctor about an ear, nose, and throat assessment. If a child is experiencing frequent and violent night terrors or they continue over many months, it is also recommended to consult a doctor.