20 month old all of a sudden waking up screaming at night?

Is she having bad dreams?? She wakes up hysterical... wants the tv on, the lights on... last night she didnt go to sleep until 5:30am!! She was in bed with us, everytime I shut the tv...she went hysterical or jumped out of bed to put the lights on. Is there something I can do to help her??
Could it be teething? She only has her 2 and a half molars left though...so I'm thinking its not that...

Re: 20 month old all of a sudden waking up screaming at night?

Is she sick? DS went through a phase liek this. he won't up screaming in his sleep multiple times a night and would only stop if I put him in bed with us with cartoons

Re: 20 month old all of a sudden waking up screaming at night?

My DS (18 mos at time) had similar issue one night but we comforted him and then had CIO, after 15+ minutes he seem to get the idea and go back to sleep. We have a house rule, no one alllowed in bed with us at night. By no means does this work for everyone but it has helped everyone in the house get a better night sleep including DS.

But I have heard that this is the age they can get night terrors, maybe try a night light and make a point of showing it to her so she knows where you stand.

Re: 20 month old all of a sudden waking up screaming at night?

She has a SLIGHTLY runny nose... but otherwise no. I have been going through some personal stuff... so I was thinking maybe she was getting a bad "vibe" off of me... but I doubt it.
Last night I felt so bad for her... she let out a huge SHRIEK... and looked up at the wall...almost like something was going to be there... that's why I think that its a nightmare...

Re: 20 month old all of a sudden waking up screaming at night?

We went through this with Sara at about the same age. I think it was night terrors. There is not much to do but comfort her. I hope everyone is ok . It lasted a few months and then just stopped.

Message edited 1/4/2009 8:10:41 PM.