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Helping Your Child Cope With Nightmares

By Jennifer Green January 11, 2017
You're probably familiar with this scenario - you're fast asleep and suddenly your child is climbing into bed with you because they had a terrifying dream. Now you have to try to get your child (and yourself) back to sleep!

While we don't yet know the true origins of nightmares, they seem to occur more often in response to a traumatic event or during times of stress. And sometimes they occur for no apparent reason. When a child wakes from a bad dream, the images and resulting emotions are still fresh, and quite real. Whatever the cause of your child's bad dream, they need you to help reassure them that they are safe.

Here are some ways you can comfort your child after a bad dream:

  • Reinforce that it was just a dream and that it can't hurt them. Make sure they know that what they've experienced is something that happens to everyone at some point.
  • Let them know it's OK to be scared, and that lots of people have been scared by their bad dreams. Share your own personal story about an experience with a bad dream.
  • When you put your child back in their bed, check the closet and under the bed for "monsters" if they are concerned. This gives them reassurance that they are safe in their rooms.
  • If they don't have one in their bed already, have your child pick a stuffed animal or toy to hold as they fall back to sleep.
  • Try using a nightlight to promote a safe atmosphere - full dark can be too scary for a child when they're trying to fall back to sleep after a nightmare.
  • Talk to your child about their dream in the daytime when things aren't so scary. Have them draw a picture or write about what they experienced. Encourage them to think of happy ways they'd like the nightmare to end. For example, they become the hero of their dream by slaying the monster or outsmarting a bad guy.
While nightmares can't be fully prevented, there are some things you can do before your child goes to sleep that can help encourage good dreams:

  • Make sure your child avoids anything scary before bed. That means no scary TV, movies or books.
  • Make your child's bed as comfy and secure as possible. Adding one or two of your child's favorite toys or stuffed animals will reinforce the idea that they are safe in their bed.
  • Establish a soothing bedtime routine. This can be anything from a bath, reading a happy story together, or just quiet talk as you cuddle. Ask them to tell you some good things that happened to them that day. Ending the day on a peaceful note can put them in the right frame of mind before they fall asleep.
Most kids only experience nightmares periodically, but if they happen often, and are increasingly disruptive to your child's sleep, it may be a good idea to talk with your pediatrician, as recurring bad dreams may be a sign that your child is experiencing anxiety.