👻 When Nighttime Screams Aren’t from Ghosts: Understanding Night Terrors in Kids

As parents, we expect a few bumps in the night — especially around Halloween! But sometimes, the screams coming from your child’s room aren’t from spooky stories or haunted dreams… they’re from something called a night terror.

Let’s talk about what’s really going on when your child wakes up screaming — and how you can help.

What Are Night Terrors?

Night terrors are episodes of intense crying, screaming, or panic that happen during deep sleep (non-REM sleep).

Your child might:

• Sit up suddenly with wide eyes

• Cry, thrash, or appear terrified

• Sweat, breathe quickly, or call out

• Seem “awake” but not respond to you

It can look truly alarming — but here’s the key:
👉 Your child isn’t actually awake and won’t remember the episode in the morning.

Why Night Terrors Happen

Night terrors usually occur in the first half of the night, when the body is in its deepest sleep phase. They’re more common in children between ages 3–8, when sleep cycles are still maturing.

Common triggers include:

• Overtiredness or skipped naps

• Stress, illness, or fever

• Irregular sleep schedules

• Scary or stimulating content before bed (shows, games, even certain storybooks)

And remember — preschoolers and young school-age kids have incredibly vivid imaginations. At this age, their brains blur the line between fantasy and reality, so what they see or hear during the day can show up vividly in their dreams or night terrors.

What To Do During a Night Terror

It’s natural to want to comfort or wake your child — but waking them usually makes things worse.

Instead:

1. Stay calm. Your calm presence helps them feel safe, even if they’re not conscious of it.

2. Keep them safe. Gently prevent them from falling out of bed or bumping into things.

3. Wait it out. Night terrors often last just a few minutes, though it can feel much longer.

4. Guide them back to sleep. Once it passes, help them lie back down and continue resting.

💡 They’ll likely have no memory of it in the morning — so don’t bring it up unless they do.

How To Help Prevent Night Terrors

While you can’t always stop them completely, you can reduce how often they happen:

• 🕰️ Stick to a predictable schedule. A consistent bedtime and wake-up time help regulate sleep cycles.

• 🌙 Prioritize enough sleep. Overtiredness is one of the biggest triggers.

• 📱 Limit screens and scary content before bed. No spooky stories, intense shows, or fast-paced games in the hour before bedtime.

• 📖 Opt for calm, comforting bedtime stories. Think soft illustrations, gentle plots, and cozy endings.

• 🛁 Create a calming bedtime routine. Warm bath, dim lights, white noise, and plenty of wind-down time.

For children who experience night terrors often (several times a week), you can try scheduled awakenings — gently waking your child about 15–20 minutes before the usual time the terrors occur, for a few nights in a row. This can reset the sleep cycle and sometimes break the pattern.

When To Reach Out

Night terrors are usually harmless and fade as your child grows. But check in with your pediatrician or a pediatric sleep specialist if:

• They’re happening multiple times a week

• Your child is unusually tired during the day

• The episodes are lasting longer than 10–15 minutes

• You suspect other sleep issues (like sleep apnea or anxiety-related nightmares)

The Takeaway

Night terrors might sound scary — especially when the screams echo through the house at midnight — but they’re just another stage of your child’s developing sleep.

With plenty of rest, a steady routine, and a calm bedtime environment, most kids outgrow them completely. No ghosts required 👻