Waking up to the sounds of a child screaming is a terrifying feeling. This is especially true when attempts to comfort your child are unsuccessful as they are unresponsive or inconsolable. This isn’t a nightmare; these are behaviors of a child during a night terror. Nightmares are disruptive or frightening dreams that cause sleep distress. Nightmares and night terrors are common in children ages 1 through 12 years old. Unlike night terrors, nightmares usually occur during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep or deep sleep and don’t involve physical or vocal disruptions. It can be common for your child to remember the details or feelings of the nightmare the next day. It’s important to understand that night terrors vs. nightmares in babies are different and should be addressed differently. Here are my tips on how to handle them!
Night Terrors vs. Nightmares In Babies
What Are Night Terrors In Babies
What Causes Night Terrors?
When trying to figure out night terrors vs. nightmares in babies, it’s important to understand the difference. Night terrors, also called sleep terrors, occur during non-REM (NREM) sleep. When sleep cycles move from the deepest stage of non-REM sleep to lighter REM sleep. Night terrors are caused by over-arousal of the central nervous system during sleep. Night terrors occur during the first 3 to 4 hours of the night. A child during a night terror will suddenly begin to show signs of panic and terror while sleeping such as screaming, flailing, or kicking.
Although your child may open their eyes and appear to be extremely scared, they are usually not able to respond to anyone trying to comfort or wake them. Most night terrors last about 10 minutes, but they can continue for 30 to 40 minutes in some children. After the night terror, children typically fall back into a deep sleep and often have no memory of the night terror the next morning.
The frequency of night terrors can be hard to predict. Some children may experience them very rarely while others may have them regularly and even at the same time every night.
Signs of a Night Terror
During a night terror, a child might:
- Suddenly sit straight up in bed
- Shout, scream, or start crying in distress or fear
- Have increased breathing and a faster heartbeat
- Start sweating
- Flail or thrash around
- Act upset and frightened
When it comes to night terrors vs. nightmares in babies, a key difference is memory. Unlike nightmares, which children usually remember, the next day your child won’t have any memory of a night terror. This is because they were in deep sleep and there is no memory for them to recall what happened.
Who Can Get Night Terrors?
Night terrors are common in children who are:
- Overtired
- Sick
- Taking a new medicine
- Sleeping in a new environment or away from home
- Not getting enough sleep
Night terrors only occur in 3%–6% of children. While most children will experience a nightmare. Night terrors usually happen in children ages 4 and 12 years old, but have occurred in babies as young as 18 months.
How To Handle Night Terrors In Babies
How Can I Help My Child?
Night terrors can be very upsetting for parents. It is hard to feel like you can’t help or comfort your child. The best way to help your child through a night terror is to wait for it to pass. Make sure to watch your child so that they don’t get hurt if they are thrashing or moving around. You want to avoid waking your child as that can be extremely disruptive to their night terror. Children will usually calm down and go back to sleep on their own.
There are no proven treatments for night terrors, but here are a few ways to help prevent night terrors:
- Avoid letting your child stay up too late and get overtired
- Create a bedtime routine that’s calming and relaxing
- Be sure your child gets enough sleep during the day and night
- Keep body and room temperature between 68-72 Fahrenheit
If your child continues to experience night terrors, be sure to seek medical advice and speak to a sleep specialist who specializes in sleep disorders for this purpose only.
Night Terrors vs. Nightmares in Babies: What Causes Nightmares
Children, usually over age 2, can start to express their dreams and they may express that they had a scary dream. Nightmares typically start to occur in toddler and preschool-aged children when fears start to develop. Nightmares aren’t always preventable, but there are things parents can do to help prepare their child’s mind and body for a restful night’s sleep.
When Do Nightmares Happen?
When looking at night terrors vs. nightmares in babies, nightmares are typically easier to deal with and work through. While there is no treatment for nightmares, it can be helpful to know why they happen. Nightmares occur during the stage of sleep when your brain is very active. The life-like images the brain is processing can feel real which triggers emotions. Nightmares tend to occur in the second half of the night when REM cycles are longer. Your child may also be sleep talking during a nightmare too, this is very common.
When children wake up after having a nightmare, the images they say are still fresh in their minds which can cause them to be afraid and upset for a while even when they are awake.
What Causes Nightmares?
Nightmares are one of the ways that children process their feelings about various situations they experience. In addition, nightmares can be an expression of their ability to work through worries and concerns.
Nightmares can happen when a child is worried or stressed about an upcoming change such as a new baby coming, moving, going to a new school, etc.
Nightmares can happen from PTSD after a child experiences some type of traumatic event such as an accident, seeing a family member who is sick or in pain, an injury, etc. For some children, watching scary shows, movies or books can cause nightmares.
How To Handle Baby Nightmares
Parents can’t prevent nightmares from happening but you can help prepare your child’s mind and body for a good night’s sleep!
Some ways to achieve this:
- Have your child on a consistent schedule with a bedtime routine and wake-up time. This helps to develop healthy sleep habits.
- Have a bedtime routine that encourages them to wind down by providing them with love and attention. This could look like a healthy dinner, a bath, books, cuddles, bed.
- Ensure your child’s sleep space is conducive to restorative sleep. Their room should be peaceful, cool (Between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit), and dark. If they request to sleep with a night light, use one with a red or orange bulb.
- Turn off the TV and all screens at least an hour before bedtime.
- Consider adding a book on fears into your child’s bedtime routine. Some of my favorites are Orion and the Dark, When I Feel Scared, Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears, Mikey and the Dragons
After a night occurs, reassure your children that you’re there for them. Your love and presence will help them calm down and feel safe. Tell your child that what they experienced was a nightmare and it’s over. You can reiterate that what happens while they’re dreaming will not happen in real life.
The good news is that nightmares are usually not a regular occurrence for most children! Please make sure you seek medical advice if nightmares are occurring frequently, your child is exhibiting breathing problems, or you are concerned they have a sleep disorder or other underlying health condition. When it comes to night terrors vs. nightmares in babies, working through either can be difficult for parents.
Is your child struggling to get your child to bed, or stay asleep?
If your child is unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up at a normal time, it may be time to consider sleep training. Sleep Shore offers personalized solutions for each unique sleeping situation to get your little one on track- whether they’re a newborn, infant, or toddler. We also offer in home sleep training services in the Boston, Massachusetts and Michigan area. Sleep training offers babies and children with the skills to fall asleep on their own so they can wake up feeling more well-rested- and in turn, you’ll feel more energized, too!
See what this mama had to say about our sleep services below:
“My only regret is not hiring Molly sooner! We were recommended by a close friend to reach out to Molly after months of sleepless nights with our baby. Finally around eight months we gave in and it was the best thing we could’ve done. Now our daughter is going on 17 months and while every night isn’t perfect, it’s close to it. She’s finally sleeping through the night and falls asleep within minutes of being put down. Because of working with Molly, our baby is able to get herself to sleep, even on her toughest nights – I think that’s been my favorite part of our whole experience. The fact that she can be fussy going to bed at times, but has learned to calm herself down and get to sleep – even when sleeping in foreign environments. Keeping a bed time routine (doesn’t have to be fancy!), staying consistent, and making sure she gets in all her calories throughout the day have all been important factors too – all of which we learned from Molly. We cannot say enough good things. If you’re on the fence, just do it, your rested self will thank you – as will your rested baby!” Mom of a 17 month old baby