Toddler Nightmares

3 yo DD has barely slept the last three nights and last night was awful. She's had terrors before and those were a walk in the park compared to this.

She's a restless sleeper to begin with and she has been screaming out and then hysterically crying. This happened continuously last night and she probably finally fell asleep from sheer exhaustion this morning at 5a. We can't even console her. Last night, she was between our bed and hers and none of us got any sleep.

Any ideas what to do? It's breaking my heart. I asked her last night if she was scared and she said yes but couldn't articulate of what exactly.

Toddler Nightmares

It's the age. Right when dd1 turned 3 she kept saying we need to keep her safe. They have fears at this age. Just reassure them. It will pass.

Maybe find some books about it you could read with her. That has always helped us to discuss things.

Toddler Nightmares

DD started having bad dreams around that age. What worked for us, was that we'd pray every night before bed and asked God for "sweet dreams". That seemed to work, but I also talked to her about bad dreams and how they seem real, but they're just make believe.

Re: Toddler Nightmares

DS had nightmares around then as well.

If he could tell me why he was scared, I would explain why his fears are irrational (no one can get into your room through the window because we're on the second floor and people can't fly)
or tell him how to fight his nightmares (the vampire can't come in to your room because he was not invited, the gargoyle your godfather got you protects from evil things and will warn us before something gets in)

If he could not tell me why he was scared, I would tell him that the ninja turtle dolls he is sleeping with will protect him and fight off any bad guys. Or the stuffed tiger will bite anyone who tries to get at him, etc...

we also let him fall asleep with a small light on (the dark was an issue) and once he fell asleep we would turn it off.

I realize it sounds silly, but mommy knowing how to fight all the creatures helped him feel safe.