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Nightmares -- Toddlers
What Experts Say
While nightmares are more common in preschoolers than toddlers, hearing a toddler cry out in the night strikes fear in every parent's heart. When they awaken from a scary nightmare, it's hard not to worry that something's wrong.
But the truth is that sleep disorders are common among children of all ages. Vivid dreams, including nightmares (which happen during REM sleep) become more common as children become more aware and imaginative.
Between 20-30% of American children suffer from sleep disorders at some point in their childhood, according to Barbara True Felt, M.D., a developmental-behaviorial pediatrician who researches children's sleep disorders...
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The timing of my son's nightmares coincide when I get him back from his dad's. Is there anything or anyone I can take him to evaluate him at 21-months-old?
I have heard that nightmares can cause other fears like fear of the dark...is that true?
What can I do if my child has a nightmare?
Sometimes nightmares bring on other fears including the fear of going back to sleep or fear of the dark. It's important to reassure your child that sleep and the dark do not make nightmares happen. If it helps, get them a small nightlight that might help alleviate some of their fears. Also, don't push to find out what the nightmare was about. Often times, they are too scared to repeat it or they can't remember it. All they remember is that it scared them enough to wake up.
And sometimes all they remember is that mommy or daddy came in and sat with them while they fell back asleep. Not a good routine to get into. You definitely want to make sure that they are okay, but try not to make a big event out of it, or it may become routine.
Does a nightlight in the room really help?
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