Sudden crying in the middle of the night is an experience many parents won't forget. Your child sits up in bed, cries, seems panicked, or even pushes you away. Some children are hard to soothe and don't seem to fully recognize their parents.

The most important reassurance first: Nights like these are often caused by either a nightmare or a night terror (Pavor nocturnus). Both can feel unsettling but are usually harmless. It's crucial to distinguish between the two situations.

Nightmare or Night Terror – How to Tell the Difference

Although both situations can seem similar, they are quite different.

A Nightmare

Nightmares usually occur in the second half of the night.

Typical signs include:

  • your child fully wakes up
  • they often remember the dream
  • they seek comfort and physical contact
  • they can usually be calmed down
  • they may be afraid to fall back asleep

Children sometimes talk about monsters, animals, or other frightening dreams.

A Night Terror

A night terror typically occurs in the first two to three hours after falling asleep.

Typical signs include:

  • your child suddenly screams loudly
  • they appear panicked or frightened
  • their eyes may be open, but they don't seem fully awake
  • they often don't recognize you
  • attempts to soothe them often have little effect
  • after a few minutes, they fall back asleep
  • they usually don't remember anything the next morning

For parents, a night terror often seems more dramatic than it does for the child.

Why Do Night Terrors Occur?

The exact cause isn't fully understood. It's believed that the brain temporarily gets "stuck" between deep sleep and wakefulness.

Night terrors are particularly common between the ages of two and six and usually disappear as children grow older.

Factors that may contribute include:

  • lack of sleep
  • very exciting days
  • fever or infections
  • unusual sleep schedules
  • stress or major changes in daily life

A night terror doesn't mean your child is psychologically troubled or having bad dreams.

What Else Is Normal at This Age?

Both nightmares and occasional night terror episodes are part of normal development for many children.

Even if your child:

  • occasionally wakes up screaming,
  • seeks closeness after a nightmare,
  • quickly falls back asleep after a night terror,
  • or seems completely fine during the day,

there's usually no reason to worry.

Many children experience these phases only temporarily.

How Can You Help Your Child?

During a Nightmare

If your child is fully awake, it usually helps to:

  • stay calmly with them

  • Offer comfort and physical contact

  • Take the dream seriously

  • Ensure safety together

  • Only go back to sleep once your child has calmed down

During a Night Terror

Less is often more in this situation.

Helpful actions include:

  • Staying calm
  • Not forcibly waking your child
  • Ensuring they don't hurt themselves
  • Waiting for the episode to end on its own

Most night terror episodes last only a few minutes.

When should you contact the pediatrician?

It's advisable to consult a pediatrician if:

  • The episodes occur very frequently,
  • Last unusually long,
  • Your child gets hurt during them,
  • They start outside the typical age range,
  • Noticeable issues arise during the day,
  • Or if you're unsure whether it's a night terror or something else.

Strong snoring, breathing pauses, or other sleep problems should also be discussed with a doctor regardless.