Children can often wake up upset after having a bad dream. In most cases, they can however be settled and soothed and will go off back to sleep again. With night terrors it’s very different. The child will cry out and will be visibly distressed but is still sound asleep! They may shout out for you but can’t sense your presence or be comforted by you! As a result, it is difficult to sooth and reassure the child. They will return to sleep after a period of between 1-30 minutes but will not usually remember the details in the morning (although you will!).
Night terrors in a child are probably as distressing for the parents as they are for the child. They can occur after a traumatic event like a fall or a hospital admission, as a result of a change of schedule, a new baby in the house or stress or anxiety about something in your child’s life.
Night terrors will settle in time with reassurance but because they can be so distressing, many parents will look for a solution. Cranial Osteopathy is a very gentle treatment that works on the child’s nervous system and breathing diaphragm. As a result, it is a very effective way to treat night terrors successfully.
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