Just when you think you’ve finally cracked bedtime, your toddler bolts upright at 2am, eyes wide, screaming into the dark. You rush in, heart pounding—only to find them utterly unreachable, inconsolable... and fast asleep? Welcome to the wild, wobbly world of night terrors.
If you're experiencing this, take a deep breath: you're not alone, and you're not doing anything wrong. Night terrors are surprisingly common in toddlers and, although they can look (and sound!) terrifying, they’re usually harmless.
Let’s walk through what’s happening—and what you can do to help your little dream warrior.
What Are Night Terrors?
Night terrors are not nightmares. That’s an important distinction.
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Nightmares happen during REM sleep and usually involve vivid dreams that a child may remember and talk about.
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Night terrors happen in non-REM deep sleep, typically within the first few hours of bedtime. Your child might:
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Scream, cry, or thrash around
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Look awake but be completely unresponsive
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Appear confused or panicked
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Not remember anything the next morning
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Think of it as their brain being stuck between “asleep” and “awake,” and they’re just trying to reboot.
When Do They Happen?
Night terrors usually show up between 18 months and 4 years and are more common when toddlers:
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Are overtired
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Have a fever or illness
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Are experiencing stress or big life changes
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Are skipping naps or having disrupted sleep schedules
So yes, they often pop up during already chaotic weeks. Because, of course they do.
What You Can Do During a Night Terror
Here’s the tricky part: don’t try to wake them up.
It sounds counterintuitive, but waking a child during a night terror can make them even more disoriented and upset. Instead:
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Stay calm and nearby. Speak softly and gently—let them know you're there even if they don’t seem to register it.
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Keep them safe. Make sure they don’t fall out of bed or bump into anything during the episode.
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Let it pass. Most night terrors last 5–15 minutes, though it can feel much longer in the moment.
They’ll usually settle back into deeper sleep and won’t remember a thing in the morning (unlike you!).
How to Prevent Future Night Terrors
You can't guarantee they'll never happen, but you can lower the chances with a few simple strategies:
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Stick to a calming bedtime routine – predictable steps like a bath, stories, and cuddles help signal to the brain that it's time to wind down.
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Avoid overtiredness – overtired kids sleep worse, not better. Try bringing bedtime forward if they’re skipping naps.
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Cut out screen time before bed – blue light disrupts natural sleep patterns.
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Create a peaceful sleep environment – think nightlights, soft white noise, cool room temp, and comfort items like a favourite blanket or cuddly toy.
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Talk through big feelings – if there’s been a move, new sibling, or other change, give them space to express their emotions during the day.
In some cases, if night terrors are happening at the same time each night, a technique called “scheduled waking” can help—waking your child about 15 minutes before the usual episode time and gently resettling them can sometimes break the cycle.
For You, Dear Parent…
Watching your toddler in distress is really hard. It’s okay to feel shaken or emotional afterwards. Remember:
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You are doing a great job.
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Night terrors are not a reflection of parenting.
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This phase—like so many—will pass.
If night terrors are frequent, worsening, or stretching into the school years, it might be time to chat with your GP just to rule out anything underlying.
In Summary
Night terrors might look scary, but they’re usually just a sign of your child’s brain doing some growing and sorting. With a little patience, love, and a solid bedtime routine, you’ll all be getting back to peaceful nights soon.
And in the meantime, maybe make yourself a cup of tea after everyone’s settled. You’ve earned it.
