Dr. Drake defines “Night Terrors” (also called “sleep terrors”) as awakenings from a deep slow-wave sleep. They occur in children most often, but can wake adults too.

Night Terrors typically happen during the first half of the night and start with a loud scream or cry, awakening you from sleep. Many times these night terrors are accompanied by intense fear, heavy breathing and increased heart rate. Someone who suffers from night terrors is difficult to wake-up and often tends to be confused upon waking. They can be disoriented for a few minutes after sitting up in bed and may even bolt out of bed and run. Adults with night terrors can become aggressive. These episodes may last from a few minutes to longer and may include incoherent speech. Most individuals will not remember their night terror reactions.

If you think you or a loved one may suffer from night terrors it is important to seek treatment from a sleep specialist as the episodes can be a safety risk if the individual gets out of bed while in a state of confusion. There are effective treatments for night terrors and it may be worsened by sleep deprivation, so one of the most important aspects is to ensure that the individual sticks to a regular sleep schedule and stay rested.

So far, there appears to be no real scientific evidence to back this up, but ask any new mom and she will tell you her hearing has suddenly become sharper since the baby arrived. Somehow she seems to have acquired a hyper-sensitive radar that picks up every sigh, sniffle, grunt and groan the baby makes – even if they are sleeping a floor away.

Often these new moms, worried about their baby’s well being, will rush out of bed and into baby’s room only to find the baby sleeping, well, like a baby. Couple that with nighttime trips to the room when the baby actually is crying, and moms soon find themselves in a severe sleep deficit.

While this supersonic hearing may be nature’s way of keeping baby safe, if you’re a drowsy mom, you’ll need to make up for that lack of sleep somehow.

The following are some tips to help you do just that:

• Nap when baby naps: Even if laundry and housework is piling up, be sure to make your own rest a priority while baby is sleeping.
• Take turns: Consider sharing wake-up duties with your spouse by adopting an every-other-night schedule. If you’re breastfeeding, consider pumping extra milk so your spouse can cover the overnight feedings while you sleep.
• Sleep in shifts: If all-night duty isn’t possible because of work schedules, consider splitting the night into two and each of you taking a shift.
• Ask for help: Accept help from willing siblings, parents and friends; have them watch the baby while you get some rest. Or, if necessary, hire a sitter.
• Keep baby in his own crib: While it can be more convenient to have baby sleeping in your room with you, your sleep quality – and your baby’s – will be much greater if he sleeps in his own room.
• Accept the situation: Sometimes fretting about sleeplessness can actually intensify it. By accepting that this is the way it will be for awhile until baby gets bigger, you may find it easier to cope and possibly find it easier to fall asleep when you do get the chance.