When naps are gone...night terrors?

[Lacv11]

Since I have taken away the naps both of my girls have been experiencing night terrors. I know it is only the first week, so they need time to adjust, but I was wondering is this something that goes away soon? I know they are tired by the time I get them down - and the earliest I have been able to get them into bed is 6:45. They cld probably go earlier, but w/dinner already being at 5 I can't imagine being able to do it any earlier. Shld I let them lie down for the suggested 45 minutes? Will that effect what time they go to sleep greatly? I used to wake them from their naps abt 6-8 mo. ago after an hr and a half and they were so crabby, so I guess I wasn't wanting to go through that again.

Previously they were napping for 2hrs and not going to sleep until 9:30/10, on a good nt 9. I definitely think the longer stretch of sleep over nt, as opposed to what they were getting plus the 2hr naps is better for them, especially my one daughter who I used to have to drag out of bed in the am. Just don't want to create another problem w/them now being over tired.
If I knew that the night terrors wld pass once their bodies adjust to the new schedule I guess I wld be okay with it, but I'm concerned that I'm creating another problem now...

Thanks in advance...

[JODAANJA2pj]

Your girls are just a month older than my boys and we have been dealing with the same issues. Not so much the night terrors, but the not going to bed until late at night when they take a nap. We tried a few different things and the best that works for us is to follow their lead. Some days they take a nap, some days they don't. Each day they are put down for a nap at 12:30. IF by 1:00 they are not asleep they stay in their room playing until 2:00 then they can get up and come downstairs. If they fall asleep then I make sure to wake them no later than 3 that way they have only taken a 2.5 hour nap AT THE MOST.

This works for us because it took care of the over tired temper tantrums and grumpiness. IF they are tired, they sleep. IF NOT then they have at the least had some quiet time, which is sometimes all they need.

Also this helps when we have day plans that do not allow for a nap as they are adjusted to going without one.

On the days they do not nap they go to bed at 7 and are usually out like a light.

On they days the DO take a nap they go to bed at 7:30 and are usually asleep by 8.

Before we started doing this the boys would be up until 10/11 each night and it was making everyone, including DH and I, crazy.

I just wanted to add that when they have not fallen asleep by 1:00 I give them permission to play quietly in their room as they are not allowed to get out of bed and play unless I do so.

My younger brother who is now 34 has suffered severe night terrors/walking/waking since he was a little kid. He has seen a Dr. and taken several diff

erent medications and sleep studies to try to help him but nothing really has. He wakes up sometimes in the middle of the night and pushed his wife right out of bed becuase in his dream he thinks she is someone else and he's afraid his wife will find another woman in bed with him. Kind of funny, but kind of scary at the same time. I would mention the night terrors to your ped if they continue....just like everything else these days an early intervention can make a huge difference.

Good luck.

[jeanie]

same here..I had brooke wake me up last night and crawl into our bed..I was so tired I just pulled up the blankets and said goodnight..today I talked to her about this she said she had dreams about her shots for kindergarten poor baby!! all my kids get night dreams..I think its a phase heck I still get them too!

[Ma Kettle]

I've found it to be a relatively short phase here. The kids have gone through it generally at about 10 months, 4-5 years, and 9-10 years. With it lasting maybe a month each time.

I just get them a small sip of water, rub backs for a moment, and back to sleep. They don't normally remember them in the morning. If they DO remember them in the morning something is bothering them that needs to be addressed before they'll go away.

[ourtwinmom]

Hi Lisa! have been wondering how you are doing!

nothing more to add just wanted to say the transition is hard.