How To Help Your Child Deal With Nightmares

Nightmares occur frequently in young children. Around 25 percent of young children get nightmares more than once in a week. It can occur in children with really lively imaginations, and in kids who are sick. Children may additionally have nightmares if there have been recent accidents, injuries or other distressing incidents at home. Even the common stresses at home or in school, can trigger nightmares in younger kids. Certain drugs like antidepressants, barbiturates and narcotics may also cause nightmares.

Most nightmares normally occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep , which is usually between four and six o'clock in the morning. At times a nightmare may repeat itself on different instances. Nightmares are frightening for young children, and they may resist falling asleep if they are afraid.

Young children may perceive nightmares as real, and it is necessary for parents to help children to make them feel secured. A kid would normally give details concerning his nightmare. Therefore parents should try to probe further, and help the child perceive nightmares as unreal. You can also be creative by modifying your child's nightmare through a story, and turning it into something nice and non-threatening.

Because children who are stressed out are susceptible to having nightmares, parents should try to examine what may be bothering the kid. Young children may still not deal with stress properly, and parents need to do their part in helping the kid deal with the stressors. Provide support and comfort the child, in order to make him feel secured.

A kid who is frequently bothered by nightmares, may no longer want to sleep alone. It is vital that parents try to be very supportive throughout this time. At times it can help if you assure that your kid has his security object, to make him feel safe. A night light can also be reassuring, in case your kid wakes up in the middle of the night. Opening your kid's bedroom door as well as the door to your room, can additionally give reassurance to a frightened kid. Your kid may be comforted at the thought that he can go to you freely in case he is terrified. Parents should also avoid offering a child snacks prior to bedtime. Eating just before bedtime can increase metabolism and brain activity, that may cause nightmares.

Although nightmares are typical, parents need to assure a kid's safety under these circumstances. Ensure that safety gates are in place on top of stairs. Young children who wake up in the middle of the night may still be groggy, and parents need to deal with safety issues accordingly.

Medical consultation owing to nightmares is very rare, but parents need to seek medical advice if a child's nightmares disrupt his sleep patterns. Similiarly, it is also essential to report any signs and symptoms, which accompany your kid's nightmares. Drugs are hardly ever used for the treatment of nightmares, and it is usually given to suppress REM sleep. Though nightmares are unreal, it may be truly frightening for a child. Parents simply need to remember that young children need all the support that they get during this trying time.


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