Night terrors can be distressing for parents, but they are common, and usually pass in time. Children who have night terrors may shout, thrash around, or jump out of bed. Unlike nightmares, this can happen soon after falling asleep. Your child may also not remember night terrors in the morning.
It’s important to know that even if their eyes are open, they may not be awake during an episode.
Most children grow out of night terrors, and they don’t cause any long-term harm. If you’re worried, or your child has night terrors frequently and intensely, it’s a good idea to get medical advice. You can also see this NHS advice or speak to our parenting coaches on our free live chat.