SleepTree
NIGHTMARES
For a young child, many things can interrupt a good night's sleep. As a parent, you may be able to prevent some of them.
Nightmares
Nightmares are scary dreams that usually happen during the second half of the night, when dreaming is most intense. This may occur more than once a night. After the nightmare is over, your child may wake up and can tell you what occurred. Children may be crying or fearful after a nightmare but will be aware of your presence. They may have trouble falling back to sleep because they can remember the details of the dream.
How to handle nightmares:
Go to the child as quickly as possible.
Assure your child that you are there and will not let anything harm them. Comfort and calm them.
Allow the child to have a night light on.
Keep in mind that a nightmare is real to a young child. Listen to them and encourage them to tell you what happened in the dream.
Empower your child by giving them a "magic" wand, dream catcher, or something similar they can put under their pillow or near their bed.
Night terrors
Night terrors are more severe or frightening than nightmares, but not as common. They occur most often in toddlers and preschoolers. Night terrors occur during the deepest stages of sleep, usually within an hour or so after a child falls asleep. During a night terror, children usually cannot be awakened or comforted. Night terrors may also cause the following:
Uncontrollable crying
Sweating, shaking, and fast breathing
A terrified, confused, and glassy-eyed appearance
Thrashing around, screaming, kicking, or staring
Child may not realize anyone is with him
Child may not appear to recognize you
Child may try to push you away, especially when you try to restrain him
Night terrors may last for as long as 45 minutes, but are usually much shorter. Children seem to fall right back to sleep after a night terror, but they actually have not been awake. Like nightmares, night terrors may occur more often in times of stress or may relate to difficult feelings or fears. However, unlike a nightmare, a child does not remember a night terror.
How to handle night terrors:
Remain calm. Night terrors are usually more frightening for the parent than for the child.
Do not try to wake your child.
Make sure the child does not injure them self. If the child tries to get out of bed, gently restrain them.
Remember, after a short time, your child will probably relax and sleep quietly again.
If your child has night terrors, be sure to explain to your baby-sitters what they are and what to do.
Keep in mind that night terrors do not always indicate serious problems. Your child will be more likely to have night terrors when they are overly tired and during periods of stress. Try to keep your child on a regular sleep schedule or increase the amount of sleep to prevent night terrors. Night terrors usually disappear by the time a child reaches grade school.
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