Toddler Night Terrors and Nightmares: What to Do

Quick Answer

Toddler night terrors are episodes where a sleeping child suddenly screams, cries or thrashes but isn't really awake. Nightmares are bad dreams that wake a child up scared. Sleep regressions are short phases of worse sleep, often around 18 months and 2 years. All three are common and usually pass with calm comfort and a steady routine.

Night Terrors, Nightmares and Sleep Regression at a Glance

Key Facts Every Parent Should Know

• Night terrors are common: Studies suggest about 1 in 3 toddlers around 18 months have them at least sometimes

• Your toddler won't remember a night terror: It's often far scarier for parents than for the child

• Night terrors happen early in the night: Usually 1 to 3 hours after falling asleep, during deep sleep

• Nightmares happen later: Usually in the second half of the night, during dreaming sleep

• Being overtired is a big trigger: Too little sleep makes night terrors more likely

• Sleep regressions are temporary: Most last 2 to 6 weeks if you keep the routine steady

What Are Night Terrors in Toddlers?

Short answer: A night terror is when a toddler suddenly screams, cries, sits up or thrashes during deep sleep, but isn't really awake. It usually lasts a few minutes, and your toddler won't remember it.

What a night terror looks like:

• Sudden screaming or crying, often 1 to 3 hours after falling asleep

• Eyes may be open, but your toddler looks through you

• Sweating, fast breathing, racing heart

• Thrashing, kicking or sitting up

• Doesn't recognise you, and pushes you away if you try to hold them

• Falls back to sleep quickly afterwards

• Doesn't remember it in the morning

Why do night terrors happen?

Night terrors happen when a child partly wakes from deep sleep. Part of the brain is awake, and part is still asleep.

What Should I Do During a Night Terror?

Short answer: Stay calm, stay close and keep your toddler safe. Don't try to wake them or hold them tightly. Most night terrors end on their own within a few minutes.

1. Stay calm: Your toddler isn't in pain and won't remember it.

2. Keep them safe: Move hard objects away, and stop them falling off the bed.

3. Don't try to wake them: Waking can make them more confused and upset, and the episode may last longer.

4. Don't hold them tightly: Holding can make thrashing worse. Stay nearby and speak softly if it helps.

5. Wait it out: Most episodes end in a few minutes, and your toddler goes back to sleep.

6. Don't talk about it in the morning: Your toddler won't remember, and talking about it may worry them.

What if night terrors happen every night?

If night terrors happen at about the same time most nights, your doctor may suggest scheduled waking:

• Note the time night terrors usually start

• Gently wake your toddler about 15 to 30 minutes before that time

• Let them settle back to sleep

• Do this for 1 to 2 weeks

Only try this with your doctor's advice.

What Are Nightmares in Toddlers?

Short answer: Nightmares are scary dreams that wake toddlers up crying and wanting comfort. They often start around 2 to 3 years, when imagination grows.

What a nightmare looks like:

• Your toddler wakes up crying or scared, usually later in the night

• They're fully awake and know you

• They want a hug and comfort

• Older toddlers may tell you about it: "A monster was chasing me"

• They may find it hard to go back to sleep

What to do after a nightmare

How to prevent nightmares

• Avoid scary cartoons, videos and stories, especially before bed

• Don't use threats like "bhoot aa jayega" to make your toddler sleep

• Keep a calm, happy bedtime routine with a gentle story

• Give extra cuddles during big changes, like a new sibling or starting daycare

For more on fear of the dark, read our guide on toddler fears and anxiety.

Night Terrors vs Nightmares: What's the Difference?

Short answer: In a night terror, your toddler screams but isn't awake and won't remember. In a nightmare, your toddler wakes up scared, wants comfort and may remember the dream.

Why Does My Toddler Cry or Scream in Their Sleep Without Waking?

Short answer: Short cries, whimpers or talking in sleep are very common and usually normal. Longer screaming with eyes open, while not awake, is often a night terror.

What Is a Toddler Sleep Regression?

Short answer: A sleep regression is a phase of a few weeks when a toddler who slept well starts waking at night, fighting bedtime or skipping naps. It's not a medical term, and it usually passes.

Common sleep regression ages

How long does a sleep regression last?

Most sleep regressions last about 2 to 6 weeks. Keeping the same routine helps them pass faster.

What helps during a sleep regression

1. Keep the same routine: Same bedtime, same steps, every night.

2. Don't start new habits you don't want to keep: Like a phone at bedtime or a bottle at night.

3. Check the nap: A nap that's too long or too late can push bedtime later. See our toddler sleep chart by age.

4. Try an earlier bedtime: Overtired toddlers wake more.

5. Give extra attention in the day: More connection in the day can mean less clinginess at night.

6. Stay calm and consistent at night: Short, boring check-ins with the same words.

If your toddler's sleep gets worse after a new baby, read our guide on preparing your toddler for a new baby.

When Should I Worry?

Short answer: Most night terrors, nightmares and sleep regressions are normal. See your pediatrician if episodes are very frequent or long, come with breathing problems, or look like stiffening or jerking.

When to get emergency help

Call 108 or 112, or go to the nearest hospital, if your toddler:

• Has a fit (seizure): stiffening, jerking, eyes rolling, not responding

• Has trouble breathing or turns blue

• Is very hard to wake, or very confused after waking, especially with fever

Who Can Help?

Short answer: Start with your pediatrician. They can check for causes like snoring, illness or seizures, and guide you.

Free government support in India

• RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram): Free health checks for children from birth to 18 years

• Tele-MANAS (14416): Free mental health helpline for tired or stressed parents

• Emergency: Call 108 or 112

What Should Indian Parents Keep in Mind?

Short answer: In some Indian families, night terrors are blamed on nazar or spirits. Night terrors are a normal sleep event. Stay calm, keep your toddler safe, and see a doctor if you're worried.

• Nazar and spirits: Night terrors aren't caused by nazar or spirits. Avoid jhaad-phoonk and scary rituals at night, which can frighten your toddler more

• Scary stories: Avoid "bhoot" stories and scary TV serials before bed

• Late nights: Late weddings, festivals and travel make toddlers overtired, which can trigger night terrors

• Diwali crackers: Loud noises at night can disturb sleep for a few days

• Evening milk: A big glass of milk just before bed can mean a full bladder, which can trigger night terrors

• Co-sleeping: If your toddler sleeps with you, keep them safe from falling during a night terror

Myths vs Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is my toddler screaming in their sleep but not awake?
This is usually a night terror. Your toddler is in deep sleep and isn't really awake. Stay close, keep them safe and don't try to wake them.

2. What age do night terrors start in toddlers?
They can start as early as 18 months, and are most common between 3 and 7 years. Most children outgrow them.

3. Are night terrors harmful?
No. They're scary to watch, but your toddler isn't in pain and won't remember them. Just keep them safe.

4. What's the difference between night terrors and nightmares?
In a night terror, your toddler isn't awake and won't remember it. In a nightmare, they wake up scared and want comfort.

5. What are the sleep regression ages for toddlers?
Common times are around 18 months, 2 years and 3 years. A new baby, travel or illness can also cause one.

6. How long does a toddler sleep regression last?
Usually 2 to 6 weeks. Keeping the same routine helps it pass faster.

7. Can fever cause night terrors?
Yes. Illness and fever can make night terrors and bad dreams more likely. They usually settle when your toddler is well.

8. Baccha neend mein cheekhta hai, kya karein?
Yeh aksar night terror hota hai. Baccha poori tarah jaaga nahi hota aur subah use yaad nahi rehta. Shaant rahiye, use girne se bachaiye, aur jagane ki koshish mat kijiye. Agar roz ho, to doctor se milein.

9. Baccha raat ko darr ke uth jata hai, kya karein?
Yeh bura sapna (nightmare) ho sakta hai. Use gale lagaiye, pyaar se kahiye "Main yahin hoon", aur halki night light jalaiye. Sone se pehle daravni kahaniyan aur videos mat dikhaiye.

Related Reads on Mylo

• Toddler Waking Up at Night: Causes and How to Help

• Toddler Sleep Chart by Age: Sleep Hours and Naps

• Toddler Fears and Anxiety: What's Normal and How to Help

• How to Prepare Your Toddler for a New Baby Sibling

• Toddler Behaviour Red Flags: When to See a Pediatrician

References

1. Petit D, et al. "Childhood Sleepwalking and Sleep Terrors: A Longitudinal Study of Prevalence and Familial Aggregation." JAMA Pediatrics, 2015.

2. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Nightmares and Night Terrors in Preschoolers." HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org

3. Nemours KidsHealth. "Night Terrors." https://kidshealth.org

4. NHS (UK). "Night terrors and nightmares." https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/night-terrors/

5. American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). "International Classification of Sleep Disorders," 3rd edition. 2014.

6. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. "Tele-MANAS" (14416). https://telemanas.mohfw.gov.in/

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for information only and does not replace professional medical advice. Every toddler is different. If you're worried about your toddler's sleep or night-time episodes, please consult your pediatrician.

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