Sleep Concern

My child has nightmares

Frightening dreams and night waking that frighten the whole family.

Educational information — not medical advice. Talk to your care team about what's right for you.

Overview

Nightmares and night terrors are common in children and, while often frightening for families, are usually a normal part of development. The two are distinct: nightmares happen during REM sleep, often late in the night, and the child wakes fully and remembers; night terrors happen during deep sleep, early in the night, and the child appears terrified but is not fully awake and has no memory. Knowing the difference changes how to respond.

Common Causes

Developmental stage — both are common and usually outgrown.
Stress, change, or emotional events that surface in sleep.
Overtiredness or irregular sleep schedules that deepen sleep and trigger terrors.
Fever or illness in young children.
Frightening media or overstimulation close to bedtime.

What You May Be Experiencing

Nightmares: waking fully, frightened, often late in the night, with a clear memory of the dream.
Night terrors: apparent terror early in the night with no full waking and no memory the next day.
Reluctance to go to bed for fear of the dreams returning.
Disrupted sleep for the child and the whole family.
Daytime tiredness or anxiety linked to the nighttime episodes.

Dr. Morse's Approach

Dr. Morse helps families first distinguish nightmares from night terrors, because the response is different. For nightmares, she offers reassurance, a calm bedtime, and — for recurring bad dreams — a 'rewrite' practice where the child reimagines the dream with a safe ending. For night terrors, she prioritizes protecting the child from injury without trying to wake them, and addresses overtiredness, which is the most common trigger. She is attentive to patterns that might signal anxiety or trauma, and offers guidance on when to look deeper.

Treatment Options

Behavioral

For nightmares: a calming routine and 'dream rewriting.' For night terrors: protect, don't wake, and address overtiredness.

Lifestyle

Consistent, adequate sleep; calming pre-sleep activities; and avoiding frightening media before bed.

Medical

Evaluation if episodes are frequent, injurious, or accompanied by daytime anxiety, trauma, or developmental concerns.

Your Night-time Routine

A practical, step-by-step wind-down built around this concern's specific drivers. Follow it consistently for two to three weeks — rhythm, not perfection, is what resets sleep.

1
6:00 PM
Screens off; choose calm, non-frightening content only in the evening.
2
6:30 PM
A predictable, soothing wind-down — bath, pajamas, a gentle story.
3
7:00 PM
For recurring nightmares, practice 'rewriting' the dream to a safe ending during the day, not at bedtime.
4
7:15 PM
Lights out; protect adequate sleep, as overtiredness worsens both nightmares and terrors.
5
If an episode occurs
Nightmare: comfort and reassure. Night terror: keep the child safe, do not try to wake them, and let it pass.

Take this guide home

A printable PDF of this concern's full overview, routine, and treatment options.

Articles on this concern are being written. Check back soon, or browse the full Sleep Laboratory.

When to Seek Help

Seek evaluation if nightmares or terrors are frequent, involve injury, cause significant daytime fear or sleep avoidance, or follow a traumatic event. Most children outgrow them, but support can help when the pattern is distressing.

Educational — Not Medical Advice

This content is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Submitting a question or receiving a reply does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and discuss any changes to your care with your own care team.

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