Because night terrors eventually subside and leave no trace of neurological damage, for many parents and experts treating the disorder becomes a waiting game.
Often, the most effective way to prevent night terrors is to limit a child’s stressors. Pediatricians may recommend chronicling nighttime events in a sleep diary and linking night terrors with troublesome daily events.
Children who have nightly occurrences for one month or more or who have multiple episodes a night should be evaluated by both a pediatrician and a sleep disorder clinic, says Dr. Tedeschi.
Other remedies to prevent night terrors can include:
- Changing bath time from evening to morning – because it reduces the amount of bedtime stimulation
- Gently stroking a child’s skin with a soft brush to relax and comfort before bed
- Using a few drops of an essential oil like lavender on a cotton ball near the child’s bed also has been known to bring calmer sleep
