[ResultsNotTypica...]

Ethan seems to be crying in his sleep lately. It's loud enough to wake me up, but when I go to his cot he seems to be asleep, even if he's still whimpering.

A few pats on the bum and a bit of shhhh-ing is all it takes to get him to quiet down and go "back to sleep", even though I'm pretty sure he never really wakes up.

So, can a not-quite-2-year-olds have nightmares? If they do, is there any way to minimise it?

If not, what could it be?

The whole thing is freaking me out a bit.

[Charli73]

My 14 month old does the same thing..... a pat on the bum or rubbing his back usually sends him back to sleep...

[bella_75]

My DD is 21 months and has been doing a similar thing for about 6 months, though it is not every night. We experience it maybe once or twice a week. She can usually settle straightaway but we do, do the same thing with patting and sssshhhing!

[ingrid74]

They are called night terrors. My son has had them a few times but is not really awake (even though sometimes he is sitting up sobbing). Very common about that age apparently (although our daughter never did it and I was worreid when it first happened)

[ResultsNotTypica...]

Glad it's not just our house living with this.

So it's just another delghtful parenting moment that we wait out, huh?

Thanks for the reassurance everyone.

Much appreciated.

[ResultsNotTypica...]

Another quick question - - anyone get this through the day??

Ethan is currently crying softly during his day sleep, but quietening down before I even get there.

It's such a heartbreaking noise.

[paddyboo]

Pat tends to do this if he is teething. Because his teeth hurt, he grinds them in his sleep which makes them hurt even more. Maybe try a bit of panadol and see if that makes a difference?