Nightmares versus night terrors in children

Nightmares and night terrors can be frightening for parents, but they are different events with different causes and responses. Knowing which one your child is experiencing helps you react calmly and safely.

What is happening?

Nightmares are bad dreams that occur during REM sleep, usually in the second half of the night. A child wakes up fully, remembers the dream, and may be upset or afraid. Night terrors happen during deep non-REM sleep, often in the first few hours after falling asleep. During a night terror, a child may scream, thrash, or sit up with eyes open but is not truly awake. They usually do not remember the episode and settle back to sleep without fully waking.

Emergency warning

Call local emergency services immediately if your child is injured, has a seizure, stops breathing, or cannot be woken after a suspected night terror and seems unresponsive. Also seek urgent help if the episode is very different from usual or your child has a medical condition that affects breathing or heart rhythm.

What to do first

If it is a nightmare

1. Go to your child and speak calmly. Turn on a dim light if it helps them feel safe.
2. Listen to what they remember and reassure them that it was a dream and they are safe.
3. Offer comfort, such as a hug or a favorite blanket, and stay until they are calm.
4. Help them resettle by keeping the room quiet and dim. Avoid exciting activities or screens.

If it is a night terror

1. Do not try to wake your child. Waking them can make the episode worse and confuse them.
2. Keep the area safe: move sharp objects, block stairs, and stay close to prevent injury.
3. Speak softly and calmly. Do not shake or shout at them.
4. Wait for the episode to pass, usually a few minutes. Guide them back to bed if they get up.
5. Do not discuss the episode in the morning unless your child brings it up; they likely do not remember it.

What NOT to do

• Do not try to wake a child during a night terror or hold them down forcefully.
• Do not punish or scold a child for either event; they are not doing it on purpose.
• Do not give any medication or herbal remedy without advice from a doctor.
• Do not ignore safety hazards in the bedroom if night terrors are frequent.

When to seek professional care

Contact your child's doctor if nightmares or night terrors happen often, cause injury, disrupt the whole family's sleep, or if your child seems very sleepy or unwell during the day. Also seek advice if your child has new bedwetting, snoring, or breathing pauses during sleep, as these can be linked to sleep problems.

How to prevent it

Keep a regular bedtime and calming routine. Ensure your child gets enough sleep for their age; overtiredness can trigger night terrors. Limit scary media before bed and create a calm sleep environment. For nightmares, gentle reassurance and a nightlight can help.

Most children outgrow these events. Stay calm, keep them safe, and note how often they happen so you can share accurate information with a doctor if needed.

This is general information and not a substitute for professional medical advice. In an emergency, call local emergency services.