Patient's question:
I often wake up crying for no reason, and even when changing diapers, the baby won't eat. It's okay if the baby is fine. When sleeping on their stomach, they wake up easily if flipped over. They don't sleep soundly, always jolting awake. What kind of assistance is needed: The baby cries a lot when taking a nap...Doctor's answer:
Sleepwalking (night terrors) refers to a condition where children cannot maintain continuous deep sleep throughout the night, often waking up crying at night, or even playing intermittently. When a child experiences night terrors, it is important to rule out other medical conditions that may cause sleep disturbances, nighttime crying, or difficulty falling asleep, such as abdominal pain or upper respiratory infections.Recommendations: Sleep disorders caused by these conditions usually last only a few days and rarely persist for multiple days, accompanied by obvious physical discomfort. The primary comprehensive prevention and treatment measures for children's night terrors include:
(1) Supportive psychological therapy
- Based on a thorough understanding of the medical history and a careful physical examination, identify potential causes and rule out other diseases.
- Parents should use methods such as reassurance, responding, and guidance to completely alleviate the child's anxiety and depressive mood.
- Properly resolve family conflicts and life stressors, avoiding the spread of family tensions to the child.
(2) Stable parenting style
- Develop good deep sleep habits by establishing a regular sleep routine and creating a conducive sleep environment for the child.
- Avoid coaxing, holding, or immediately intervening (e.g., picking up, patting, or changing diapers) when the child cries.
(3) Behavioral therapy
① Parents should actively consult with a psychologist for understanding and guidance.
② The fading method is often effective: When the child cries at night, avoid immediate intervention; consciously ignore them to teach them to fall asleep independently.
③ Accurately record the treatment process and outcomes.
④ Periodically review and adjust the treatment plan until satisfactory results are achieved.
(4) Medication treatment
- Night terrors are not a true form of "insomnia" and generally do not require medication.
- For severe cases, medication may be prescribed under the guidance of a doctor for short-term treatment.