While sleep often appears as a serene escape, unexpected twists like night terrors and nightmares can disrupt its tranquillity. Dive into the distinctions between night terrors and nightmares, unravel the reasons behind their occurrence, and gain strategies to empower your child in navigating the enigmatic waters of the night with confidence.

Night Terrors Explained

Imagine your child's peaceful slumber abruptly shattered by cries and a look of terror. Welcome to the unsettling realm of night terrors, a phenomenon that unfolds during non-REM sleep, typically within the initial hours of bedtime 😱

So what happens during a night terror?

• Abrupt awakening: the child suddenly sits up or moves, often screaming or crying.

• Unresponsiveness: unlike nightmares, children in the midst of night terrors remain difficult to comfort or console.

• Physical activity: thrashing, kicking, and other movements are common during night terrors.

• Limited memory: most children have no recollection of the event the next morning.

Yet, it's not just imaginary monsters that haunt their sleep; real-life dangers like aggressive dogs, creepy spiders and menacing sharks can also make appearances in their dreams. Alongside these, kids might dream about facing school challenges, being separated from their loved ones or the classic "falling from a great height" scenario.

These dreams, while distressing, are often a natural part of growing up, as children begin to explore and process the complexities of the world around them. As parents, providing a safe space for them to share their dreams and feelings can go a long way in helping them navigate these nighttime adventures with a sense of understanding and comfort.

So what happens during a nightmare?

• Vivid dreams: nightmares involve detailed and often frightening dream scenarios.

• Full wakefulness: children wake up fully from nightmares, often recalling the dream content.

• Emotional response: fear, anxiety or sadness often linger after waking from a nightmare.

• Age-appropriate content: nightmares might involve common childhood fears or stressors.

Roots and Triggers

😱 Night Terrors:

Night terrors can be triggered by factors such as genetics, sleep deprivation, stress or even fever. They often occur during developmental periods when sleep patterns are changing.

😢 Nightmares:

Nightmares can arise from a child's experiences, emotions or imagination. Stress, trauma or anxiety may contribute to the occurrence of nightmares.

How can you respond?

😱 Night Terrors:

• Ensure safety by gently guiding your child away from hazards.

• Stay calm

• Offer reassurance post-episode, guiding them back to their bed but avoid trying to wake them during.

😢 Nightmares:

• Provide comfort by listening and offer reassurance about the dream's fictional nature.

• Establish bedtime routines, as they can provide a sense of security.

• Create a relaxing sleep environment: dim lights, calm activities and soothing bedtime rituals can help!

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