What do you do if your little one wakes during the night from a bad dream and refuses to go back to sleep? Or what if your little one refuses to go to sleep at bedtime because he has had bad dreams several nights in a row? And what if your child has been inconsolable upon waking at night but you aren’t sure if your child is waking due to a nightmare or a night terror? These are common questions parents have when responding to their little ones’ nighttime sleep needs.
Night terrors in toddlers and nightmares can be distressing for both children and parents, but understanding the differences between them is key to providing the right support. This resource will explore the causes, signs, and symptoms of night terrors in children, how they differ from nightmares, and what parents can do to help. If you’ve ever wondered what causes night terrors in toddlers or how to ease your child’s nighttime fears, keep reading for expert guidance and reassurance.
Understanding Night Terrors in Toddlers
Unlike nightmares, night terrors in toddlers occur during deep sleep, usually within the first few hours after falling asleep. During an episode, a child may suddenly sit up, cry out, or appear frightened but remain unresponsive to comfort. While unsettling for parents, night terrors are typically not remembered by the child the next morning. Understanding the signs of night terrors in toddlers can help caregivers respond appropriately, ensuring their child’s safety while minimizing disruption to sleep.
Causes of Night Terrors
Night terrors in toddlers are often triggered by sleep deprivation or by a sudden change in the child’s schedule in the days preceding a vacation, end-of-school-year, or visiting relatives. They do not have a psychological basis. They can also be triggered by fever and illness, and research also shows they may be triggered by allergies.
They are very different from nightmares. During confusional arousal, children are not dreaming and typically will have no memory of the event following it. Once it is over, the child will usually go back to sleep without much problem. Night terrors occur in the transition period between deep non-REM sleep and a lighter sleep stage when the child becomes stuck and is unable to completely emerge from slow-wave sleep. Night terrors typically occur within two hours of going to sleep.
Signs & Symptoms of Night Terrors
Although night terrors are harmless, they can be very upsetting for parents who may be concerned that their children may hurt themselves.
Common signs of night terrors in toddlers include:
- Sudden movements: Your child may jolt awake, sit up, or thrash their body.
- Vocal outbursts: Screaming, moaning, or crying out without being fully awake.
- Unresponsiveness: Despite appearing awake, your child will be unable to answer you or acknowledge your presence.
- Confusion & disorientation: Eyes may be open or closed, but they may not recognize you or their surroundings.
- Duration: Episodes typically last between five and 10 minutes but can extend up to 30 minutes.
During the night terror, you can prevent your child from injury, but do not try to wake him. Make soothing comments and hold your child, but do not shake or shout at your child in an attempt to wake him up. The night terror will pass, and he will fall right back to sleep.
How to Help Your Child During a Night Terror
If your child is experiencing a night terror, there are several ways you can provide comfort and support:
- Stay close and keep them safe: Remain by your child’s side to ensure they don’t hurt themselves during the episode. Avoid attempting to wake them up, as this could make the night terror worse or leave them feeling disoriented. Instead, provide gentle reassurance through soothing words or a calm presence until the episode passes.
- Minimize stress in their daily life: Stress can often trigger night terrors in toddlers. Focus on creating a calm and predictable daily routine, and identify any sources of anxiety or overstimulation that may contribute to stress.
- Maintain consistent schedules while traveling: When traveling or away from home, try to keep your child’s routine as normal as possible. This includes adhering to familiar bedtime rituals and ensuring they get enough rest, as disruptions to their schedule can increase the likelihood of night terrors.
- Prepare other caregivers: If your child is being cared for by babysitters, grandparents, or other caregivers, inform them about night terrors and provide guidance on how to handle these episodes calmly. Ensuring they are prepared will help reduce everyone’s stress during these events.
- Use a scheduled awakening technique: If your child frequently experiences night terrors, you can try a “scheduled awakening.” Track the duration between when they fall asleep and when the night terror typically occurs. For the next seven nights, wake your child 15 minutes before the expected episode and keep them awake for five minutes. This method can help disrupt the sleep cycle contributing to night terrors. If the episodes return, you can repeat this technique as needed.
Creating a calming sleep environment, reducing stressors, and helping your child manage their stress can significantly reduce the frequency of night terrors. Offering a peaceful bedtime routine, ensuring adequate sleep, and encouraging relaxation techniques can help your little one feel more secure and rested. For additional tips on managing stress, check out our guide to helping kids manage their stress.
When to Call Your Child’s Doctor
While night terrors in toddlers are usually harmless and tend to resolve on their own, there are certain situations where you should consult your child’s doctor. If any of the following occur, seeking medical advice can help rule out underlying health concerns and provide additional guidance:
- Night terrors last longer than 30 minutes: Most night terrors for kids resolve within five to ten minutes, but if your child’s episodes are consistently lasting more than half an hour, speak with a healthcare professional.
- Your child experiences unusual physical symptoms: If your child stiffens, jerks, drools excessively, or displays other abnormal movements during a night terror, it’s important to rule out other potential sleep disorders or medical conditions.
- Terrors occur during the second half of the night: Most night terrors happen within the first few hours of sleep. If they are occurring later in the night or closer to morning, your child’s doctor may want to assess their sleep patterns.
- Episodes persist beyond seven consecutive nights: If night terrors continue regularly for more than a week despite efforts to minimize triggers, a pediatrician or sleep specialist can help determine if additional interventions are necessary.
- Stress or anxiety may be contributing factors: If your child has recently experienced a stressful event, big life changes, or emotional distress, their doctor can help assess whether anxiety is playing a role in their night terrors and recommend appropriate coping strategies.
Understanding Nightmares in Children
As long as children are dreaming, they may have nightmares. At some point, all children do. Interestingly, even infants dream. According to one landmark study (Roffwarg et. al., 2006), newborns dream more than at any other time in a young person’s life.
Nightmares which are bad dreams, can happen at any point in a toddler’s or child’s life, especially if he has just experienced a traumatic event. Several studies have shown that children may have nightmares following surgery or tooth extraction or if they have been passengers in motor vehicle accidents.
Nightmares can also begin during periods of developmental change, such as the period between 18 and 21 months and, again, right before a child’s third and fourth birthdays. These are periods of individuation, when a child may become more sensitive or emotional as he develops more independence.
Nightmares occur during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep cycles, typically during the final stages of sleep, later in the night. This makes nightmares different from night terrors, which typically occur in the first few hours of sleep (see below).
Nightmares are thought to be most common between the ages of 3 and 5 years old, but can begin as early as the first year of life. They can be an important way for young children to express their fears, anxieties, feelings, and their day-to-day experiences. They are typically not a sign of emotional or psychological problems or that a child needs therapy. Some children may become so fearful that they may protest going to sleep or sleeping in their beds at night.
How to Help Your Child During a Nightmare
Nightmares can be distressing for both toddlers and parents, but there are practical steps you can take to help your child feel safe, comforted, and secure. Here are actionable strategies to ease your child’s nighttime fears and create a more calming sleep environment:
- Comfort and reassure your child: Sit with your child, speak in a soothing tone, and let them know they are safe. Offer hugs or hold their hand to help them relax.
- Write a sleep book together: Collaborate with your child to create a personalized sleep book filled with calming and happy imagery. Read it together as part of the bedtime routine.
- Leave the lights on and the door open: Providing soft light and leaving the door slightly ajar can create a sense of security for your child as they fall asleep.
- Use a night light: Place a gentle night light in your child’s room to offer comfort without being overly bright or disruptive.
- Avoid scary content before bedtime: Be mindful of what your child is exposed to, including scary movies, TV shows, or stories that might trigger nightmares.
- Minimize bedtime stress: Keep your child’s bedtime routine calm and consistent, steering clear of stimulating or stressful activities before sleep.
- Walk your child back to their bed: If your child wakes up and comes to your room, gently guide them back to their bed, providing reassurance in their familiar environment.
- Stick to a consistent bedtime: Ensure your child is getting enough sleep by setting and maintaining a regular bedtime that promotes a healthy sleep schedule.
- Read or tell a happy bedtime story: Include positive and calming stories in your nightly routine to create a relaxing transition into sleep.
- Avoid monster spray or pretending to remove monsters: While well-intentioned, these actions might reinforce fears instead of alleviating them. Focus on building your child’s sense of security instead.
- Play in your child’s room during the day: Help your child associate their room with safety and positivity by spending time there during daylight hours.
- Provide snuggly items: Offer a comforting stuffed animal, blanket, or other cherished item that helps your child feel safe at night.
- Spend one-on-one time during the day and at bedtime: Build trust and connection with your child by dedicating quality time together. This reinforces their sense of security and strengthens your bond.
By incorporating these techniques into your routine, you can create a comforting nighttime environment that reduces the likelihood of nightmares and helps your child feel supported and loved.
When to Call Your Child’s Doctor
While occasional nightmares are a normal part of childhood development, there are times when consulting your child’s doctor may be necessary. Persistent or severe nightmares can indicate underlying issues that require professional guidance.
- The nightmares become worse or happen more often: If your child’s nightmares intensify or occur with increasing frequency, it’s worth discussing with a pediatrician to explore potential causes.
- Your child’s fears interfere with day-to-day activities: When nighttime fears begin to disrupt daily routines, such as avoiding sleep or showing heightened anxiety during the day, it may be a sign that professional support is needed.
- Nightmares are accompanied by other symptoms: If nightmares are paired with symptoms like difficulty breathing, severe sweating, or extreme behavioral changes, reach out to a healthcare provider for further evaluation.
Night Terrors vs. Nightmares
While both night terrors and nightmares can be distressing for children and parents alike, they are distinct sleep disturbances with key differences in timing, awareness, and physical symptoms. Understanding these differences can help caregivers respond appropriately and provide the right kind of support.
Timing Differences
- Night Terrors: Typically occur during the first half of the night, usually within the first few hours of sleep when the child is in deep non-REM sleep.
- Nightmares: Happen during REM sleep, which occurs later in the night or early morning hours.
Awareness and Memory
- Night Terrors: Children experiencing a night terror are usually unresponsive, unable to recognize their caregivers, and have no memory of the episode the next day.
- Nightmares: Children are often fully awake after a nightmare, can recall details, and may seek comfort from a caregiver.
Physical Symptoms
- Night Terrors: Characterized by intense physical reactions, such as rapid breathing, sweating, screaming, thrashing, and an increased heart rate. The child may appear terrified but remain inconsolable.
- Nightmares: While nightmares may cause fear or distress, the child can be comforted and reassured, and physical symptoms are typically less extreme.
Recognizing these differences can help parents and caregivers implement appropriate strategies to support their child, whether it’s allowing a night terror to pass without intervention or offering comfort after a nightmare.
Empowering Parents in the Journey Through Toddler Night Terrors
Navigating toddler night terrors and nightmares can be challenging, but understanding their differences and knowing how to respond can help ease distress for both children and caregivers. Night terrors, while alarming, are a normal part of early childhood development and usually resolve on their own. Nightmares, on the other hand, can often be managed by creating a comforting bedtime routine and addressing any underlying fears or stressors.
By implementing soothing bedtime practices, minimizing stress, and ensuring children get enough rest, parents can help reduce the frequency and intensity of these nighttime disturbances. Creating a consistent, calm sleep environment and responding with patience and reassurance are key to supporting children through these experiences.
If your child’s night terrors or nightmares persist, interfere with their daily life, or seem to be linked to underlying anxiety or stress, professional guidance may be beneficial. Book a child assessment with us here at CCY to receive expert support tailored to your child’s needs.
