Reasons Why Children Cry Out During the Middle of the Night

Nightmares

• The Cleveland Clinic states that a nightmare is a frightening dream that typically awakens a child and leaves him feeling upset, as he may have a hard time distinguishing the dream from reality. According to the clinic, nightmares generally happen in children between the ages of 3 and 6. They often occur during the second half of the night, and if a child wakes up following the nightmare, he will often be able to remember what the bad dream was about and work through it with parents.

Night Terrors

• According to the website Kids Health, a night terror is similar to a nightmare but with a more severe reaction. A child experiencing a night terror is inconsolable and may not awaken completely during the experience. These night terrors often occur about two to three hours after he falls asleep, as he transitions from the deepest stage of sleep to the lighter stage of sleep. The child may sit up in bed, scream and thrash -- but will have no memory of doing so. Night terrors have been observed in children who are overtired, on a new medication or sleeping in a new environment. The child will usually settle down on his own and return to sleep within a few minutes of experiencing a night terror.

Sleep Talking

• Sleep talking in children occurs when they talk during their sleep without being aware of it. This talking may consist of involved monologues, mumbling, laughing, moaning or crying out. According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep talking often occurs alongside other sleep disorders, and can be caused by depression, sleep deprivation and drowsiness. While it can occur during any stage of sleep, the lighter the sleep, the more intelligible the talking. While sleep talking is rare, it is more common in males and children.

How to Help

• While these types of behaviors do not require treatment unless severe and continuous, there are ways that you can help prevent them from occurring. Reducing your child's stress during the day and establishing a consistent bedtime routine are helpful. Make sure the bedtime routine is peaceful and doesn't include things like television or video games that will stimulate your child's brain before sending him off to sleep. Children who are well rested are less likely to suffer from sleep interruptions, so seek to find an appropriate bedtime hour and stick to it.