Nightmares and Night Terrors

Many parents are familiar with comforting their child after a scary dream. These nighttime disturbances can be upsetting to child and parent alike, and fall into two main categories: nightmares and night terrors.
 

Nightmares

Nightmares are scary dreams that can wake up children and leave them upset or afraid. Usually occurring in the latter half of the night, they are often caused by stress, or if a child is overtired, so to help prevent nightmares from disrupting your child’s sleep, try sticking to a regular lights-out time.

If your child is awoken by a nightmare, the most important thing to do is to offer them comfort; sit with them and assure them that they’re safe. You may consider asking your child to tell you what the nightmare was about – sometimes by saying it out loud, it will become more apparent that it was only a dream, not real. You can also change the physical environment to put your child more at ease so that she can go back to sleep: offer to leave the light on, close any closet doors, or offer a favorite stuffed animal or blanket.
 

Night terrors

Although the term “night terrors” sounds similar to nightmares, the two sleep disturbances are very different. Night terrors – sometimes called sleep terrors – usually occur early during the sleep cycle during the transition from the deepest part of sleep to lighter REM sleep and can be much more intense and longer-lasting than nightmares. During a night terror, your child may not fully awaken. They may cry uncontrollably or scream, and because they are not fully awake, they may not recognize you when you try to comfort them.

As a parent, watching your child be upset from a night terror can be very distressing. Here are some helpful things to keep in mind.

• Most importantly, try to stay calm and composed. Understand that your child won’t remember the night terror.
• Although your first instinct might be try to awaken your child, try to refrain from doing so. Waking a child having a night terror can cause more alarm and confusion, and can make it harder for them to go back to sleep once the night terror is over.
• Ensure that there are no objects nearby that could cause harm, and gently restrain your child if he tries to get out of bed.
• Know that night terrors are temporary; they will usually disappear as your child grows.
   

When to ask your pediatrician for help

If you notice that your child’s sleep is still being disrupted by nightmares or night terrors after trying some of the advice above, if it’s impacting your child’s emotional well-being or focus in the daytime, or if they seem to be getting worse, it might be a good time to talk to your child’s pediatrician. They can identify if there is a different reason for the nighttime disruptions and recommend ways to help. Consider keeping a log of your child’s sleep habits and disturbances to help your pediatrician get a better idea of your child’s sleep routine.

Also tell your pediatrician if you notice anything else that affects your child’s quality of sleep. Do they seem restless and constantly turning over? Do they sleepwalk or talk in their sleep? Have you noticed snoring or sleep apnea? These may be a sign of other health conditions that can impact a child’s sleep, so let your pediatrician know if you notice changes like these.
 

Resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics

• Topic: Nightmares and Night Terrors
• Sleep: A Lullaby for Good Health