Miriam, in response to your comment;

>  It seems to me this might be a cultural phenomenon.
> Of course, based on a sample size of two.  Anyone else have any data on this?

I must tell you that with my sample size of 3 :), we just experienced
this 2 nights ago with our 4.5 yr. old twin boy.  It was harrowing!
Kevin sleeps with us most nights, sometimes starts out there, sometime
"appears" during the night.  Suddenly from his room a couple of nights
ago, we hadn't gone to sleep yet, came several loud crashing noises and
screaming.
Dh beat me there and was gone for a minute, yelling continued.  I was
just about to go in when dh came staggering in, glasses askew on his
face, holding Kevin and trying not to get injured. Kevin was flailing
about, thrashing arms and legs, punching, kicking, yelling and twisting
about, nearly getting away from his 6' 190# Dad. We got him between us
in the bed and tried to calm him.  I tried soothing, speaking sternly,
holding him tight, stroking his face, nothing had any impact, except
perhaps to make it worse.

20 minutes later, dh and I definitely the worse for wear, and beginning
to color up with some lovely bruises, watched as Kevin suddenly took a
deep breath and fell into a normal sleep.  The entire time we had been
unable to wake him! He did cry tears, did not seem to understand what we
were saying to him, and appeared terrified and as if he was fighting for
his life.

After a couple of minutes of "normal" sleep, he roused a bit, smiled,
said "I love you Mama" and turned over.  I asked him if he had had a bad
dream.  He looked over his shoulder, puzzled, and replied "no" and went
back to sleep. !!!

In the morning he had no recollection of any of the nights events.  He
did ask his Dad how he broke his glasses.

In our house, we strictly monitor TV programs, basically Public
Television, 1 hr. daily, and videos we have approved.  He goes to a
private preschool 2 mornings a week for 3 hours, with his twin sister.

I have NO idea what on earth brought this on.  He has always been a
restless sleeper, waking fairly often, and he talks in his sleep.  My
girls are both "good" sleepers and have never had anything like this.

Who knows?  I sure don't.  Guess I should just be thankful that we don't
live anywhere where an exorcism would be called for to drive out spirits
or something!

--

Denny Rice, RN, IBCLC
Dallas Texas USA

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