all of a sudden waking hysterically??

Just after some ideas from other parents of toddlers.

Archie is all of the sudden waking during the night screaming and really upset til i pick him up and he wraps his arms around my neck really tight and wont let go, when i walk out of the room he stands up and gets hysterical til i go back to him

For a few months now he has been self settling during day and night sleeps and having no troubles. He hasn't had any new teeth for 3-4 months so i thought perhaps his teetha are on the move again and he is in just a little bit of pain sometimes that it up sets him but a cuddle from mum is all he needs to feel better. The first time he woke screaming it was as though he had a bad dream and looked scared though.

Anyone experience anything like this. He has just woken early from his day sleep screaming but is okay now after a cuddle and leaving the door open for him....

i wish he could tell what is wrong

Hi, and yes. My dd (just about 2) has started waking up literally hysterical over the last couple of nights too. Last night I'm pretty sure it was wind (which we haven't had to deal with in a really long time) but the night before I think she was actually having a nightmare, cos once she was able to speak she told me that one of her friends was crying.
Apparently night terrors at this age aren't all that uncommon, but maybe if it keeps up you may want to try a night light (just one of those that plugs into the wall socket so the light isn't too bright) and letting him sleep with a trusted toy?
Good luck
Lara

it does sound like it could be nightmares. DD has been getting nightmares since she was about one. sometimes she will have a few bad nights in a row where nothing but mummy or daddy will console her; others times she wakes just a little upset but manages to resettle herself. as for how to deal with them, well... we are still working on that one.

I can't remember exactly what age, but Jack has done this too - it still happens very occassionally. I'm pretty sure it is nightmares. The best thing to do IMO is just comfort them until they settle down. Jack will always go back to sleep after a while.

thankyou thankyou thankyou!!! My mothers instinct strikes again!! I just had that 'feeling' that he had a look of fear in his eyes and the way he clings to me when i cuddle him but DH was sceptical to say the least. Poor little boy.

lara - thanks lots for your post, he does have a night light in his roomand he also has his very special teddy and 2 dummies, so i think we have that covered lol. I guess we just have to hope he stops having bad dreams.......

Tonight when i started to put him into the cot he was hysterical before he even hit the matress, i haven't seen him that upset since his 6 month needles, it is heart renching isn't it, knowing they feel scared but not being able to help them.