Nightmares In Children
Toddler Care Videos
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Dr Carol Cooper answers whether toddlers should watch television or not.
How common are nightmares in toddlers?
Between the ages of three and four, you may find that your child starts to have nightmares. A nightmare will usually cause your child to wake up crying or screaming. Some children are able to tell their parents what is wrong, whereas younger ones may find it difficult to articulate.
If your child wakes in the night from a nightmare, be reassuring and give plenty of cuddles before tucking them back into bed. Once she feels secure she should be able to go back to sleep. So are nightmares in children normal?
Nightmares do not mean that your child is disturbed, but it can reflect something she has seen or heard. Keep the time before she goes to bed calm, and avoid exciting television or bedtime stories.
Make her room calm and pleasant with good lighting and put some of her favourite toys on a bedside table, so she associates her room with enjoyable activities.
What are night terrors?
Night terrors in children are characterised by a child sitting upright in bed, screaming and sweating. Night terrors occur when a child is in the deepest part of their sleep. Nothing you can do will get through to them as they are not awake. Wait for the night terror to pass and go back to bed. Night terrors are more disturbing for you than for your child, who will often wake up in the morning unaware of the night’s activities.
Dr Carol Cooper, General Practitioner
Author or ‘Baby and Child – Your questions answered’
10652 Revised November 2012
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