What to do when your baby has nasal congestion?

Baby nasal congestion or baby “stuffy nose” upsets the baby a lot. They do not know how to communicate to the adults but cry. It can be quite an ordeal to see them suffer and lose their appetite. It can really affect sleep and eating habits.

Nasal congestion is typically caused by anything that inflames the nasal tissues - usually a cold, influenza, sinusitis, or allergies. There are several ways to relieve the baby from their nasal discomfort. You can read them here (webmd) but today I'm just going to introduce this method using the nasal aspirator which you can buy at the pharmacy easily. All parents with babies should equip with this gadget.

Babies don't have the ability to blow their nose, so this gadget really helps a lot. This is a quick relieve to their nasal congestion or blocked nose, the ultimate solution is of course to bring them to their pediatrician. 

How to use the nasal aspirator:
Squeeze the bulb before you place it in the nose. That way, when you release the bulb, it will pull out mucus from inside. Please note that if you squeeze when the bulb is already inside a nostril, it will give off a puff of air that could push the mucus farther into the nasal cavity. So be mindful when using this.

Squeeze out any mucus inside the bulb onto a tissue. You can do this about 15 minutes or so before you feed your child and before bedtime. This will help your baby breathe more easily when they nurse, take a bottle, or go down to sleep.

Hope this helps.

Handling a fussy eater

Here are some tips from Baby Center:

It's perfectly normal for young children to suddenly decide they will only eat a few foods and refuse everything else - even foods they loved yesterday. They may eat these same few foods over and over again at every meal, while turning up their noses at anything new. Children like things to be familiar, whether it's their bedtime routine or their cheese sandwich, so many children won't try new foods until they've been exposed to them several times.

Picky eating can also be a child's way of exerting his independence ("You can't make me eat that") and may have less to do with the actual food than his need to push the limits of your authority and to assert some control over his life. This is why pressuring a child to eat often backfires. Finally, it may seem like your toddler cannot sit still long enough to eat very much at one sitting because of his short attention span. But children are generally good at getting what they need, even if it doesn't seem like much to you.

Here are some more specific tips on how to handle a picky eater:

• Provide a variety of good foods for your child to eat at each meal.
Keep in mind that it takes multiple exposures to a new food for a child to see it as familiar and OK to try. So, be patient. When you do offer a new food, simply place it on the dinner table with everything else, and don't make a big fuss about it. Eventually, after he's seen you eat the food a few times, he may feel more open to trying it himself.

• Limit the options at mealtimes.
"If you say, 'It's dinnertime. What do you want to eat?' your child will probably choose something familiar to him, and he'll seem like a picky eater," says Hudson. "However, if you say, 'Here's dinner,' he'll choose from among the foods you're offering." Of course, you can't offer an entire meal of unfamiliar foods because your child simply won't eat them. Instead, offer a meal that includes at least one thing you know your child likes.

• When introducing new foods, offer just one or two, and present them in small quantities.
If by some miracle your child is willing to try a new food, give him just a taste before putting a whole serving on his plate. This way he won't feel overwhelmed - and it won't seem like a waste of food to you.

• Some children's palates are more sensitive than others.
They simply won't like the texture, colour, or taste of some foods. This is why a child will often claim to dislike a food he has never even tried. Likewise, some children may have an aversion to a food because it reminds them of a time when they were sick or has some other negative association. If your child complains that a particular food will make him ill, stop offering that food for a while. You can always try again when your child is a little older.

• Whenever possible, let your child be involved in food decisions.
This includes shopping or making his lunch. This will give him a sense of control over his diet, and he'll be more likely to eat something that he's chosen for himself. (This works best if you let your child choose from a small selection of healthy foods you've already picked out!)
As your child's world expands and he begins attending playgroup or nursery, his taste in foods might broaden as well. When he sees his friends eating new and different kinds of food, it might inspire him to eat new things, too.

Your child has an innate sense of how much food his body needs to grow and be healthy, and it's his job to decide what he's going to eat. The best thing you can do is to provide a wide variety of healthy foods in a positive, relaxed environment so that mealtimes will be enjoyable for everyone involved.

How much milk does my baby need?

In exclusively breastfed babies, milk intake increases quickly during the first few weeks of life, then stays about the same between one and six months (though it likely increases short term during growth spurts). Some breastfeeding research does not indicate that breastmilk intake changes with baby's age or weight between one and six months. Breastmilk intake will continue at this same level until -- sometime after six months, depending in baby's intake from other foods -- baby's milk intake begins to decrease gradually.

Studies found that average breastmilk intake to be:
750 ml per day between the ages of 1 month and 6 months. Different babies take in different amounts of milk in typical range of 570-900 ml per day.
875 ml per day at 7 months
550 ml per day at 11-16 months.
400-550 ml per day between 12 and 24 months
300-360 ml per day between 24 and 36 months

There is also a formula for estimating the amount of milk to offer a breastfed baby at a feed. Take your baby's weight (in pounds) and multiply by 2.5 (oz). Or take your baby's weight (in kg) and multiply by 156 ml. Divide by the average number of feedings in a 24-hour period. This will equal the amount of mother's milk per feeding. Remember that this is theoretical -- all babies are unique and have different needs.

Formula:
1 pound of weight needs 2.5 oz
1 kg of weight needs 156 ml

Sources:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html#solids
http://www.onlineconversion.com/weight.htm

Are your kids drinking too much juices?

If your toddler has recently lost his interest in food, do check if he is drinking too much juices. Too much juices can spoil a kid's appetite, at the same time not good for digestion. Read this:

Avoid fruit juice drinks because they contain a lot of sugar. Sugary drinks and juice can fill toddler's up and decrease their intake of more nutritious foods. Limit juice to about 125mL (½ cup) per day. If fruit juice is given it should be diluted with water and only in small amounts. Choose 100% fruit juice and avoid sugary fruit drinks.

Juices fill kids with empty calories. Fruit juices can fill kids up so that they're not hungry at the dinner table and are too full to eat more nutritious foods. Certain juices are associated with tummy troubles. Some fruit juices -- including apple, pear, and prune -- contain sorbitol, a naturally occurring but problematic sugar alcohol. Because sorbitol is not completely absorbed in the small bowel, it makes its way to the large bowel where it ferments and produces gas. In addition, many of the juices that contain sorbitol also have an imbalance in the ratio of the sugars fructose and glucose, which may reduce fructose absorption. These factors can lead to cramps, diarrhea, or loss of appetite in a child. Several studies have reported this malabsorption, or incomplete digestion.

Baby talk?

Baby talk is a nonstandard form of speech used by adults in talking to toddlers and infants, characterized by the shortening and simplifying of words, and more so, the repetition of words, as in cat-cat, car-car, bird-bird, especially in the Singapore context. It is so common to hear parents saying to their babies, "Look at that bird-bird!" while pointing to the bird in the sky, or simplying exclaiming "car-car, dog-dog!!!" in their eagerness to teach their kids.

While many researchers have argued that baby talk is more effective than regular speech in getting an infant's attention and studies have also shown that infants actually prefer to listen to this type of speech, we must know that children understand more than what they can say, so teach them the correct word (and pronunciation) from the start! Try not to simplify words like calling a banana "nana". Children are likely to initially struggle to say a word like “banana” correctly, perhaps saying “nana” instead. However, it’s important that adults continue to model the correct pronunciation. Aim to indirectly follow up an incorrect pronunciation from a child with your own correct model, as just hearing how it should be said in the right context is helpful to children.

Some examples of widely-used baby talk words in Singapore include:

bird bird (birds)
car car (cars)
cat cat (cats)
dada (dad, daddy)
dog dog (dogs)
milk milk (milk)
nana (banana)
num num ( food/dinner)
poo-poo (pass motion)
shee-shee (pee, urinate)

Instead of struggling to correct your kids' language when they grow up, why not start with the correct foundation now?

What formula milk do you use and why?

Milk powder for kids are getting more and more expensive with the current inflation. Which brand do you buy for your children? And why? Can share with our mothers here?


Enfrapro A+ stage 2 follow-up formula /1.8kg for $36.20








Enfragrow A+ stage 3 grow up milk / 900g for $24.60







Enfrakid A+ Stage 4 grow up milk / 1.8kg for $39.50








Gain IQ 1+ growing up / 1.8kg for $51.20 / 900g for $26.70






GAIN IQ Kid 3+ Growing up / $1.8kg for $45.90 / 900g for $24.50







Pediasure / 1.8kg for $57.50 / 900g for $29.70







Similac Stage 2 follow-on / 900g for $34.10








Promil Gold 2 followup / 900g for $29.00



Prices quoted are from NTUC Fairprice (16 Jun 2008)

Beneficial kids' programmes on Playhouse Disney channel

Here are some educational TV programmes on Playhouse Disney channel for your kids:

Little Einsteins
Little Einsteins features four children (which include two boys and two girls) — Leo, June, Quincy, and Annie — along with their intelligent and transformable "Rocket". In each episode they embark on an adventure (or "mission") to solve some problem or help a new friend. These missions take them to far-flung locations including foreign countries and "extreme" environments such as Antarctica, underwater, or outer space. The show was designed to teach art and music appreciation by integrating famous or culturally significant art works and classical music into the scenery, plot, and soundtrack of each episode.

Mickeymouse clubhouse
This show, which stars Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto focuses on interacting with the kids to stimulate problem solving. Each episode will aim to "solve a specific age-appropriate problem utilizing basic skills, such as identifying shapes and counting through ten." Mickey and friends also get aid from a computerized flying machine named Tootles, who brings "Mouse-ka-tools" to them, where one of the tools is a "Mystery Mouse-ka-tool", which Mickey and friends will prompt the kids to guess what the surprise tool is.

Hi-5
Hi-5 is a children's television program, based on the original Australian TV show.The show was so popular in Australia that an American group assembled to form its very own Hi-5. The band comprises 5 cast members who perform to preschoolers. Their shows are made into DVDs and aired on Playhouse Disney channel. Each show has its specific theme like Senses, animals, machines, adventure, and wonderful songs and dance.

Pocoyo
Pocoyo is a fantastic pre-school animated cartoon series about a young boy who dresses in blue and who is full of curiosity, loves to play games and discover new things. Kids are encouraged to recognise situations that Pocoyo is in, and things that are going on with or around him. Pocoyo's world is set in a 3D space, with a plain white background and has no backdrops. Pato, Elly, Loula and Sleepy Bird are his friends! The show teaches good morals like sharing things with friends, say sorry when you are wrong, etc. Each character has its own distinctive dance, and most episodes end with the characters dancing.

Danny & Daddy
It is an interactive animation series in which Danny, a boy with a lot of imagination draws pictures starting from very simple drawings, and gradually creating what will be its final form, and Daddy and audience must guess what he is drawing. Each episode is a single picture full of ingenious creativity that stimulate the imagination of children.

Use of hand sanitiser in small children

Parents, be warned. Hand sanitizer can be hazardous to children if ingested. Read this:

Despite their obvious benefits, hand sanitizers can pose a very serious health risk. In recent months, several stories have circulated concerning individuals, most of them children, who were harmed by being left unsupervised with access to a hand sanitizer, such as Purell. Other children became very ill after just licking the sanitizer from their hands.

Apparently a little girl named Halle Butler ingested enough of the hand saitizer given to her at school to be come seriously ill. She was taken to the emergency room, and, thank goodness, recovered.

Hand sanitizer is mostly alcohol, so she and another little girl mentioned in another story who ate it after being given a dollop of it by a teacher got alcohol poisoning from ingesting the hand sanitizer.

Although both stories contain incorrect or dubious information such as Halle's blood alcohol level being at 85%, or that someone found "on the Internet" that ingesting three squirts of hand sanitizer can prove fatal to a toddler, the thought is still the same: Kids WILL put anything into their mouths.

Kid-friendly eateries

Globetrotters
Where: 101 Thomson Road, 02-02 United Square, tel: 6356-5285

Open: 8am to 10pm (weekdays), 9am to 10pm (weekends and public holidays)

What: Kid and baby menus available, glassed-in play area with play structure and toys, colouring sheets and puzzles for older children, activities like pizza decoration at the kids' bar and cooking workshops


Disney Naturally
Where: 370 Alexandra Road 01-05/06 Anchorpoint, tel: 6479-2823

Open: 10.30am to 10pm (weekdays), 10am to 10pm (weekends)

What: Play area with computer terminals dedicated to Disney games. Screening of Disney movies and cartoons on giant screen. Games and play sheets with quizzes at every table which cater to kids of different ages


One-Ninety (Sunday Brunch)
Where: Four Seasons Hotel, 190 Orchard Boulevard, tel: 6831-7250

Open: 11.15am to 3.30pm (Sundays only)

What: Play area with a bouncy castle, video screenings, face-painting and other activities. Mini-buffet with kids' favourites such as mini burgers and French fries. Child minders are around to take care of the children


Food Junction @ Great World City
Where: B1-15 Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, tel: 6736-2030

Open: 10.30am to 10pm daily

What: Five of the 20 stalls have kids' menus and the food court uses a world map as a design theme. There is also a fun corner for youngsters equipped with rocking horses and other toys which is used as a venue for ad hoc story-telling sessions


Ikea restaurant @ Ikea Tampines
Where: 60 Tampines North Drive 2, tel: 6786-6868

Open: 9.30am to 10pm daily

What: Play Tent featuring children's and various smaller play stations throughout the restaurant. Kids' menu available. Baby food is sold at the restaurant and two microwave ovens are available for warming milk bottles


The Ranch Home @ Dempsey Hill
Where: Block 8, Dempsey Road, 01-14, tel: 6473-3231

Open: Various times, check by calling

What: The Ranch houses two restaurants - CA * California serves healthy fare like sandwiches while Ben & Jerry's sells premium ice cream. The homey, rustic touches include couches, outdoor swings and little cosy corners for play


Pasta de Waraku
Where: 10 Sinaran Drive, 01-07 Square 2, tel: 6397-6266

Open: 11.30am to 11pm daily

What: Kids' food served on plates with dinosaur designs and cutlery with either Pokemon or Hello Kitty designs. All youngsters receive a gift, ranging from toys to stationery. Kids' menu available with complimentary drink and dessert for each set meal


Shokudo Japanese Food Bazaar
Where: 52 North Bridge Road B1-44E Raffles City Shopping Centre, tel: 6837-3793

Open: 11.30am to 10pm daily

What: Play area featuring three sets of toys placed on low tables

Source: Sunday Times, 24 Feb 2008, Life!, P. L34

Probiotics products for children in Singapore

Probiotics are living microorganisms that improve the health of the host they dwell in. Probiotics are thought to be digestive enzymes that support the colon, intestinal and digestive tracts, the stomach, the immune system and much more. There are many benefits to choosing a probiotic that fits your needs. Probiotics are normally measured in organisms per gram. The dose taken depends on the desired effect, whether the probiotic being taken for health maintenance, to reach the small or large intestine, to aid digestion and promote good health. Probiotics are essential to a healthy body and should be taken as recommended by a health care professional.


Primadophilus For Kids
from Nature's Way
30 chewable tablets

Retail at Vitakids



Primadophilus Children Ages 0-5
from Nature's Way
3 billion CFUs Bifidobacteria & Lactobacilli
7 strain formula specifically designed for children ages 0-5
Mixes easily into beverages
Retail at Vitakids



Acidophilius Strawberry Chewables w/ Bifidus,
by American Health
100 servings per container

Retail at Vitakids




Pediasure Complete (Milk powder)
contains FOS (Fructo-oligosaccharides) and Probiotics (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria) to help maintain a healthy digestive system
Retail at all supermarkets


Gain IQ (Milk powder)
FOS (Fructo-oligosaccharides) and Probiotics (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria) to help maintain a healthy digestive system
Retail at all supermarkets

The goodness and benefits of probiotics

Probiotics are health-promoting, friendly bacteria with many potential benefits. Strains of the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, are the most widely used probiotic bacteria.

• Probiotics help maintain and restore the delicate balance of both "good" and "bad" bacteria necessary for a healthy digestive system. Without that balance, harmful bacteria can multiply and take over, causing gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or abdominal pain. Probiotics help normalise the whole digestive system.

• The strains of good bacteria in the gut help with digestion of food. It's especially good for children who consume milk but who lack the enzyme to break down the lactose in the milk. This gives them gas, abdominal pain and loose stools. Probiotics helps them to digest the lactose better, these symptoms are reduced and they recover faster.

• The probiotic bacteria may help relieve constipation by improving intestinal mobility.

• Preliminary testings show that probiotics can help boost the immune system. One specific finding shows that lactobacillus GG may reduce respiratory infections and their severity among children in daycare.

• There is also evidence that probiotics may help to prevent certain kinds of allergies because they have a beneficial effect on mucous membranes.

• Probiotic consumption may reduce the risk for colon, liver and breast cancers.

• Probiotic is recommended after a course of antibiotics so that the child can restore good bacteria back to the gut.

Important:
As probiotics contain live bacteria, they have to be kept at a cool temperature, as in a refrigerator. Parents are told not to put probiotics in warm milk as it will destroy the live bacteria. It must be taken in cool water.

Some milk powder like Pediasure Complete have probiotics added and it instructs parents to mix the milk powder with cold water when preparing milk. Follows as instructed!

Fever in children and toddlers: taking their temperature

The normal body temperature is between 36.5°C and 37.5°C.

If your child has temperature above 37 °C, he or she may be having a fever. But then, that depends on where you took the temperature. Temperature taken from different parts of the body with different thermometers give different readings. Temperature above 39°C is considered high fever and should consult the doctor.

Use a reliable thermometer to tell if your child has a fever when his or her temperature is at or above one of these levels (according to Singapore Health Promotion Board):

37.9°C measured tympanically (in the ear)
37.5°C measured orally (in the mouth)
37.2°C measured in an axillary position (under the arm)

However, it is also important to read the manufacturer's instructions for each thermometer reading range for evaluating fever.

What causes fever?
It's important to remember that fever by itself is not an illness — it's usually a symptom of an underlying problem. Fever has several potential causes:

Infection: Most fevers are caused by infection or other illness. Fever helps the body fight infections by stimulating natural defense mechanisms.

Overdressing: Infants, especially newborns, may get fevers if they're overbundled or in a hot environment because they don't regulate their body temperature as well as older children. However, because fevers in newborns can indicate a serious infection, see a doctor immediately if you suspect your infant is having a fever.

Immunizations: Babies and children sometimes get a low-grade fever after getting vaccinated.

As a general rule of thumb, consult the pediatrician or doctor when your child:

• Is feeding poorly, vomiting or lethargic.
• Is very young, especially less than 3 months old.
• Has difficulty breathing .
• Is drowsy.
• Looks sicker than previously.
• Has abdominal pain and discomfort.
• Has rash.
• Has decreased urine output.

Television and your toddlers

Many parents are tempted to resort to using television or a video as a babysitter. But the sad truth is that watching too much TV would stiffle your child's thinking and development. Too much TV is never good for your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children should watch TV no more than an hour or two a day, and that children under 2 should watch no television at all.

Here are tips on how to use television as a learning tool.

Limit the amount of TV your toddler watches
Since your child is under age 2, it's best to keep TV-watching to a bare minimum. If you choose to allow some television, break it up into 15-minute increments. Much more than that, and your toddler's brain can shift to autopilot.

Once your child hits 2, limit his total viewing time to an hour a day — even that amount is a lot for an active toddler. You should also keep the television out of your child's bedroom and turned off during meal times.

Watch programs, not television
Rather than sitting down to watch whatever happens to be on, carefully select the program your toddler's going to watch, and turn off the set when that program is over.

Choose calm, quiet programs
Slower-paced viewing gives your toddler time to think about what he's watching and absorb the information. Lots of action and quickly changing images will only confuse him or make his eyes glaze over.

Research has suggested that children who watch violence on TV are more likely to display aggressive behavior. Avoid scary shows, too. Instead, choose simple programs that emphasize interactivity. The best shows are those that inspire your child to makes sounds, say words, sing, and dance.

Watch with your toddlers and help him watch with a critical eye
Watch with your toddler to show that you care. Explain what's going on in the show, and encourage your child to ask questions and relate what's happening in the show to his own life.

Extend the show's content with activities or books
If you and your toddler have just finished watching a Sesame Street segment that introduces a number, talk about it later and find other examples to show him.

My toddler won't stay asleep

What do you do when your toddler keeps waking up at night — and you know he's old enough to sleep all the way through? The main thing is to make sure he learns how to settle himself back down — by finding his thumb, cuddling a transitional object, or some other way. By this age, your child is able to soothe himself, but you may still need to help him develop self-comforting techniques. Most of the experts agree that you should try to avoid letting your child become dependent on such external conditions as music, lighting, and feeding to fall asleep; if he does, he'll need the same things every time he wakes up at night before he can drop off again.

Mindell's view
As long as you're putting your child to sleep on his own at bedtime, it's all right to do what you think will help him go back to sleep, such as rocking him or pacing the floor until he falls asleep. As long as his bedtime routine is consistent, night waking should diminish in a few weeks. If this doesn't work, you'll have to resort to a checking routine: Stay in your child's room for a brief time, keep contact neutral, and don't pick him up. Leave and return in five-minute intervals, gradually increasing the time you're gone. Read more about Mindell.

Ferber's view
Make sure your child falls asleep alone — without you, a pacifier, or a bottle. If he won't stay asleep, try letting him cry for progressively longer intervals of time, starting at five minutes, increasing to 10, and so on. Between intervals, you can spend about two to three minutes with your child, reassuring him by talking to him and possibly patting him on the back. Don't pick him up or rock him. Read more about Ferber.

The AAP's view
Don't pick up your child or bring him to your room. He needs to learn to put himself back to sleep, even if it means crying a bit first. Comfort him for a short time, and continue to return briefly every five to 10 minutes until he falls asleep. Read more about the AAP.

Brazelton's view
Break into your child's sleep rhythm by waking him up before your bedtime. Love and cuddle him, feed him if necessary, and put him down again, reassuring him that you're there. Be firm, and make sure you're following all your familiar bedtime rituals . Read more about Brazelton.

Sears' view
Be flexible. Don't let your child cry it out; instead, try to find the source of his wakefulness (such as a dirty diaper, hunger, upset routines during the day, a stuffy nose, or even irritating pajamas). Increase his daytime attachment to you and let Dad play the role of nighttime co-comforter so both parents can help their child fall back to sleep. If your child has been a consistent sleeper but is going through a big development spurt, expect him to wake up more often at night. When this happens, try to get him back to sleep without taking him out of his crib. Instead, pat his back, talk to him soothingly, and sing. You can also consider taking him into your own bed. Read more about Sears.

Source: Babycenter.com

Parenting tips for terrible twos

No one looks forward to the terrible twos, a developmental stage that usually begins sometime in the toddler years.

Although many parents don't expect the terrible twos to start until their toddler is two years old, it is important to note that it can begin anytime during your child's second year, and so anytime after their first birthday, and unfortunately, sometimes even before.

Characterized by toddlers being negative about most things and often saying 'no', the terrible twos may also find your toddler having frequent mood changes and temper tantrums.

To help you cope with this normal stage in your child's development, you should always remember that your child isn't trying to be defiant or rebellious on purpose. He is just trying to express his growing independence and doesn't have the language skills to easily express his needs. This can also be the reason why your toddler frequently gets frustrated and resorts to hitting, biting, and temper tantrums when he doesn't get his way.

By learning more about this normal stage in your child's development, it can make it easier to get through it and make sure that you aren't contributing to more battles than are necessary.

Other tips for helping your toddler during the terrible twos include:

• having a regular routine for meals, naps, bedtime, etc. and try to stick to them each day
• offer limited choices only, like 'would you like apples or oranges for your snack' and not just 'what do you want for your snack.' This helps your toddler feel like he is making some decisions and has power over things, but he isn't able to choose unacceptable alternatives.
• learn to set limits about things and don't be surprised when your toddler tries to test those limits to see what he can get away with
• don't give in to tantrums
• begin to use time-out and taking away privileges as discipline techniques
• provide your toddler with a safe environment that is well childproofed to explore and play in. It really isn't fair that your toddler should get in trouble for playing with something he isn't supposed to if you left it within reach.

Source: About.com pediatrics

Night terrors in toddlers

Night terrors occur in at least 5 percent of young children, and can start as early as 9 months. These mysterious disturbances happen during deep, non-dreaming sleep. A child in this state will cry, whimper, flail, and even bolt out of bed. Though his eyes may be wide open, he's not awake and isn't aware of your presence. Once the night terror (which can last anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour or more) is over, your child will return to a sound sleep and have no memory of the incident in the morning.

How are night terrors different from nightmares?
Nightmares happen during rapid eye movement (REM) or dream sleep. A child who's had a nightmare is likely to have a fairly clear idea of what scared him, though he probably won't be able to articulate his fright until he's about 2. He may also be afraid to fall back asleep, and in the morning, he'll probably remember that he had a bad dream.

What should I do when my toddler has a night terror?
Of course, your first instinct will be to comfort him, but your efforts will most likely be futile (remember, he's not really awake and he's not aware of your presence). You just have to wait it out and make sure he doesn't hurt himself. Don't speak to him or try to soothe him, and don't try to shake or startle him awake or physically restrain him — all of which could lead to more frantic behavior. In 15 to 20 minutes, your child should calm down, curl up, and fall into a deep sleep again.

Is there anything I can do to prevent night terrors?
There are several steps you can take to reduce the chances that your toddler will have night terrors. First, make sure that he's getting enough sleep, since children who go to bed overtired are more likely to experience these sleep disturbances. To avoid fatigue, extend your toddler's nap time, let him sleep a little later in the morning, or put him to bed earlier at night. And be sure to schedule plenty of time for calming bedtime rituals, such as a bath, a song, a book, and lots of cuddling.

Since night terrors usually occur during the first part of the night, you could also try gently rousing your toddler after he's been asleep for an hour or two — about 15 minutes before the typical episode would start. This should alter his sleep pattern enough to head off the night terror at the pass.

Source: Babycenter.com