NIGHTMARES AND NIGHT TERRORS: WHAT DO I DO AND WHAT DO THEY MEAN??!!

There are many well known and sometimes bizarre aspects to a child’s sleep behaviour that is worth knowing about. So, what causes these behaviours and what can we do about them??
The most common ones I have explained below:
Nightmares
when do they occur?

• During the REM (rapid eye movement, dreaming stage) part of their sleep.
• Babies also experience this stage of sleep, more so than adults, so it is possible that a baby can experience dreams and nightmares.
•  Usually in the second half of the night – during the longest REM cycle of their sleep.

 
What causes these?
There is no exact cause for nightmares, but there are certain situations that may make a toddler or child more prone to nightmares:

•  Illness – if they get a fever
  
• Overtiredness
•  Having irregular sleep routine
•   Developmental milestones
• Stress/change

Recommendations on how to deal with Nightmares
Keep the following in mind:

•  Your child’s fear is real. It may be fictional, but their fear is real to them. Respect your child’s feelings, and offer plenty of comfort and reassurance. IE lots of hugs 😊
• Try not to over react and add to your child’s fear. If they wake in the night crying and afraid, it is only natural for you to feel anxious and upset aswell. Try to remain calm and this will go a long way towards helping your child to feel reassured and relaxed.
• A nightlight in their room may be helpful

NIGHT TERRORS
These are commonly mistaken for nightmares but in fact very different.
When do they occur?

• Night terrors occur in the NREM (deep sleep) part of the sleep cycle to nightmares, making them very difficult to wake from.
• More common in children aged 3-5 years.
• Presents with the child crying or screaming, thrashing around, may bolt upright in bed, stare wide eyed and generally in the earlier part of the night (Generally before midnight)
• Tends to happen when there is a sudden reaction of fear that happens during the transition from one sleep stage to another.

 What causes Night terrors?

• Night terrors can be exacerbated by the same reasons as nightmares: overtiredness, illness, stress, change.

Recommendations on how to deal with Night terrors

• Night terrors can be distressing to watch but are not dangerous
• It is important not to try to wake them during the night terror, but stay with your child until it passes.
• Create a simple, regular bedtime routine.
•  Prevent overtiredness          
• Prevent your child staying up too late.
• For those who have a night terror around the same time each night, it may be helpful to wake them 15-30 minutes prior to that time.
• Try lifting your child to the toilet. Night terrors commonly occur just before a child passes urine in the night, especially if they have started potty training, but not yet dry at night

 
So, I hope these few pointers help to reassure you that these sleep behaviours are very common and easily managed.

If you would like further support or advice on your little one’s sleep then please feel free to contact me through www.lullabyoftheblue.co.uk or  on my Fcebook page @lullabyoftheblue
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