Nightmares can be terrifying for a child
Experiencing a nightmare can be scary for an adult, never mind for a child, but it's common for children go through phases of them.
A good sleep is vital for the health and growth of a child. A full nights sleep means they're more likely to function better and are less likely to develop behavioural problems in the future. But what do you do if your child is suffering from nightmares or night terrors?
Despite only being young, children still experience worries and fears and these can sometimes be causes for nightmares. Sometimes the reason is easily identified for example, a period of nightmares before starting school, but most reasons are unknown and are just a phase. Like with adults, a stressful time in a child's life could be reflected through their sleeping patterns so it could benefit you in the day to talk to your child about any fears or worries they may have. By talking through these and reassuring them of any concerns, they might sleep happier.
One of the scariest things a parent can experience is their child going through a night terror. Significantly worse than a bad dream, quite often during night terrors children are asleep but sweat, hyperventilate and can lose all recognition of who they are, where they are and what they're doing. It becomes difficult to comfort your child during these episodes because they are in fact still asleep, and only part of the brain is awake, similar to sleepwalking.
Though it can be terrifying, stay with your child until they calm down and fall back asleep. In the majority of cases, children grow out of night terrors so it's nothing to worry about.
It's important to keep a record or a diary of your child's sleeping habits if they're suffering in the night. If this goes on for a long period of time it could be the result of an underlying issue that might be best discussed with a GP.
How to get your child into a good sleeping habit:
- Consistency is key. Make sure every night follows the same routine. Repeat the same phrase every night so they recognise that's your final word and it's time for them to get to sleep eg. "goodnight, see you in the morning"
- Let them fall asleep on their own. Though this is heartbreaking, it's important they learn to go to sleep by themselves, and they are drowsy but still awake when you take them up to bed.
- Make sure they have a positive experience. Create a calm atmosphere in the child's bedroom by making it warm and tidy. Put all the toys and gadgets away and turn off the television so they have nothing to distract them from sleep.
Alexandra Baracskai
Tagged in children's health Sleeping Tips