snoring not healthy
Is it normal for a 4-year old to cry in the night without an apparent reason?
For two nights in a row now, by normally healthy, happy, and unafraid 4.5 year old boy cries and screams in his sleep. It’s quick to calm him down, but he starts up again in less than an hour. He snores and kicks around, so taking him into our bed is not really an option. I’ve asked him this morning if anything was wrong, and he said “There was a bear and a ghost”. During the day, he is perfectly fine. I don’t know if this is a typical nightmare encounter and how long it lasts, but I really want my sleep back. Any ideas on what I shoud do?
It sounds like nightmares, and yes it’s normal. At the age of 4 is when kids develop very vivid imaginations, but the part of their brain that tells them what is real and what is not isn’t quite as developed. I don’t think it’s night terrors because kids usually do NOT remember night terrors at all, my nephew has had them for years and never remembers a thing even though he’s terrified everyone else in the house throughout the night. You can ask him if the knows of anything to keep the bears and ghost away, or give him a special spray. Also, try telling him a soothing story right before bed-time, that way the last thing in his mind will be something nice and calm. Put on a quiet CD of calm, relaxing music, and if he doesn’t have a night-light, get one for him, let him pick it out. Good Luck.