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Nov 8, 2023 · Nightmares primarily occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the final stage of a normal human sleep cycle. REM sleep is more prevalent during the middle of the night or early morning, so children are more likely to wake up from a nightmare at these times. Nightmares manifest differently for each child, but they often include scary ...
- 9 min
- Be understanding.
- Set The Stage For Sleep.
- Practice relaxing.
- Don't Avoid What's Scary.
- Retrain Your Child's brain.
- Consider Outside Help.
If your child has a bad dream, it's natural to tell them, "It's not real—go back to bed," says psychiatrist Robin Berman, M.D., a Parents advisor and author of Permission to Parent. "But to her, it seems very real." Soothe your child and validate how they feel. You might say, "I can imagine that would be really scary, but there's no bad guy in you...
Children who go to bed too late are more likely to have nightmares. School-age kids need ten to 11 hours of sleep. Electronics—which inhibit production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin—should be turned off a half hour before bedtime, when it's best to do a calm activity such as playing a board game, taking a bath, or going outside to look at...
A calm body and mind have an easier time falling and staying asleep. Jane learned how to do "circle breathing," a technique in Dr. Huebner's book. You imagine your breath is traveling in through your right nostril and out of the left nostril. The next breath goes in through the left nostril and out the right. Go back and forth, as if you're breathi...
When Jane was terrified of her American Girl doll, she asked me to turn its face around—and I did. But that was a mistake; turns out, I was just confirming for her that the doll was indeed frightening. Instead of shielding your child, help them gradually learn to tolerate whatever they're afraid of. The point is, the more they think about or see th...
Bad dreams can simply become their mind's habit. After a nightmare or at bedtime, they should think about something happy and fun. "He can imagine that he's changing the channel away from his scary thoughts," says Dr. Huebner. You can also help them learn to distinguish between fantasy and reality and approach the issue in a more logical way. If yo...
If none of these strategies work after a few weeks—or your child's nightmares are making them scared during the day and interfering with their normal life—they could benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy. "In a few sessions, a child can learn techniques that turn things around dramatically, and she'll feel strong," says Dr. Huebner. "The anxiet...
- Diane Debrovner
- 1 min
Jun 5, 2021 · Having a child with nightmare disorder can cause significant sleep disturbance and distress for parents or caregivers. When to see a doctor. Occasional nightmares aren't usually a cause for concern. If your child has nightmares, you can simply mention them at a routine well-child exam. However, consult your doctor if nightmares:
Let your child know that it was a nightmare and now it's over. You might say something like, "You had a bad dream, but now you're awake and everything is OK." Reassure your child that the scary stuff in the nightmare didn't happen in the real world. Offer comfort. Show that you understand that your child feels afraid and it's OK. Remind your ...
Dec 14, 2022 · And while your child’s brain is busy working its night shift, they dream a little dream. But on some nights, those dreams can turn dark, and the result is the stuff of nightmares. Nightmares can ...
Sticking to a calming bedtime routine is the best way to ease the stress and anxiety that can cause nightmares in the first place. Skipping any potentially scary books or stories, providing a cheerful night-light and leaving the bedroom ajar can also help. Also try to avoid heavy snacking or a heavy meal in the couple of hours before bedtime ...
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How do I know if my child has a nightmare?
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When do kids wake up from a nightmare?
Dreams — and nightmares — seem to be one way kids process thoughts and feelings, and work through worries and concerns. This usually means dealing with things most kids have to face at one time or another: problems at home, problems at school, and stress from sports or schoolwork. Sometimes major changes, such as moving or the illness or ...
