Night Terrors Guide
Dos and Don'ts
By Sandra Gordon
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When a night terror strikes, here’s what to do and not do:
Do nothing. “It's best not to try to soothe your child because it usually makes the episode worse and makes it last longer,” says Dr. Mindell. “It's better to simply be nearby, without even saying your child's name, to be sure she doesn't hurt herself.”
Don't discuss it the next day. Talking about it may make your child anxious about going to sleep, which can lead to sleep deprivation and increase the likelihood of another night terror, Dr. Mindell says.
Do turn off the TV before at least 30 minutes before bedtime, and keep a TV out of your child’s bedroom. Frightening images or movies before bed don’t trigger night terrors, says Dr. Owens. Still, they might cause nightmares, so limiting TV before bed is a just a good general habit to get into.
