Middle-of-the-night moments with our kids can sometimes feel incredibly scary.

Your child suddenly sits up screaming. They look awake but don’t recognize you. Or they start walking around the house while seemingly still asleep.

And if you’ve never seen it before, it can leave you wondering what on earth is going on.

In this episode, we’re talking all about parasomnias — a group of sleep behaviors that include things like confusion arousals, sleepwalking, night terrors, and nightmares.

Parasomnias are actually much more common in childhood than most parents realize, and many of the behaviors that feel alarming in the moment are a normal part of how a child’s brain develops during sleep.

In this conversation we cover:

• What parasomnias actually are

• Why they tend to happen during deep sleep

• The difference between night terrors and nightmares

• What confusion arousals look like in babies and toddlers

• Why things like illness, overtiredness, emotional stress, or schedule disruptions can trigger episodes

• What parents can do in the moment when they happen

• And why trying to wake your child often isn’t necessary

Aleni also shares her personal experience navigating night terrors with her daughter Nora, including some of the triggers they’ve noticed over time.

Understanding what’s happening during these episodes can make those middle-of-the-night moments feel a lot less frightening — and a lot more manageable.

If you’ve ever experienced night terrors, sleepwalking, or strange nighttime behaviors with your child, this episode will help bring some clarity and reassurance.

Mentioned in this episode: S2E8 Hourly Wake Ups: Red Flags & When To Look Deeper

Alicia & Aleni are both Moms and certified infant and toddler sleep specialists who don't use traditional sleep training methods to support the families that they work with.

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**The information shared is not medical advice & is for entertainment purposes only