Screaming child

My son is 3 years old, when he wakes up he screams bloody murder. I have given him a hiding and talking to but nothing work what can I do? I have established that it is not a night mare because he has been doing it for 2 1/2 years now, I feel so tired I need to do something please help me.

[April2]

It sounds like it could be night terrors. The child is not fully awake when this happens and won't remember in the morning. It's fairly common in young children between the ages of 2 and 6. It can be pretty scary for parents to see but it won't harm the child. See if it happens at certain times of night and try and wake him before it happens. This will interupt the sleep cycle and can help halt the terrors from happening. There really is no diagnosis, although they say overtired children are more succeptable.So try and establish a regular routine and make sure he's getting plenty of rest. Try and find soothing things to do before laying him down like giving him a warm bath and having a bed time story. The good news is children generally outgrow night terrors! So hang in there! It will get better.

[anxiousmomtobe?]

Hiding him is not the answer.  Obviously he is scared and in need of comfort, is he waking up in the night or just early in the morning?

I would discuss this with the ped. as it has been going on for a long time.