Dd1 had night terrors for a few months at about 17 months. I couldn't touch her at all. They usually only lasted 20 or 30 minutes though I think.

I read years ago that it's to do with being between sleep cycles. It said that if you could time them & wake the child just before it would normally happen, you should be able to avoid them.

I don't think you need to completely wake them up, just enough to maybe get them to roll over.

I didn't get the chance to try it. Dd was past them by then & none of the others have had them.