When do childrens start having nightmares? My three year old woke up talking about a moose chasing her - is it possible that the nightmares are starting?
2006-09-09 15:28:39 · 17 answers · asked by Jennifer K 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Yes, its possible for nightmares to be that early. I think my daughter had her first nightmare when she was about 2 and 1/2. Just ask her to tell you about it and when she's finished her story just tell her not to worry because dreams are just silly stories that her brain thinks up when its bored during night time. See if you can make her laugh and forget about her scary dream so she is less likely to have another.
2006-09-09 15:34:24 · answer #1 · answered by T M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is possible . Children can begin having night mare as early as 2 yrs old. although she may be having what is called night terrors. If she is having these episodes around the same time each night and is not fully waking from them, then they are probably the night terrors. Change some of her routines by just a few minutes, or just shake her a few minutes before she would usually have the episode - just enough so she moves around - this will disturb her enough that it will stop the night terror from occurring. Do this for about a week and she should be OK. You could also try letting a radio or TV play past the time of the episode and then turn them off or leave them on, its up to you.
The nightmares are a little more difficult. You will need to reassure her that you are not going to let anything happen to her. Show her that there is nothing in the closet or under the bed. take her outside and show that there are not any moose there. Show her that the doors and windows are locked and make sure that if she runs to your room because she is scared, that she can get in to you. If she can't it will only increase her fears.
2006-09-10 00:10:33 · answer #2 · answered by AMY D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been having them all my life. ALL my dreams seem to at least have something negative in them -- never any "sweet dreams" for me! The best thing to do, though, is sleep with a night light (I still can't live without mine) & surround yourself (or them) with soft toys & things that make them feel safe. I can't be without my 10.5" by 12" baby pillow & when I actually go to sleep, I always do it face-down in the pillow. (No, I can't SLEEP with my thumb in my mouth.) This helps to alleviate the problem of everyday objects "morphing" into scary shapes in a dream & muffles the sounds of train horns, speeding cars, hovering jets, & sirens on emergency vehicles that you hear all the time here in the greater Houston area. Another thing that can help, which may sound a bit tacky, is, well, you know, manipulating parts in a way that feels good but doesn't make a mess (the m-word). For me this only means, well, what's in my bra with which I sleep. But for boys, it could mean something different. For some strange reason, this can have a relaxing effect because oxytocins are released when it occurs, so NEVER discourage a child from doing such a thing if it helps them go back to sleep!
2006-09-09 22:30:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes--I have 4 children, and all of them started to tell me about bad dreams around the age of 2 1/2 --3.
2006-09-09 22:30:29 · answer #4 · answered by MaryBeth 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah they sound like they are starting. My son started getting them around 3. He kept screaming no bear. Come to find out he was scared of that show bear in the big blue house on Disney. I guess the bear acted as if he was smelling you. Once he stopped watching the show they went away. Try to find out what moose she is talking about. Hope this helps you. I know its a scary thing for your child to wake up screaming in terror.
2006-09-09 22:38:57 · answer #5 · answered by tpurtygrl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just dreams. If you call them nightmares, you are just buying into the drama of it. There is nothing to worry about. Smoke and mirrors. Children are going to have dreams that make them upset, all children will. Just be a loving parent and she will work through it just fine.
2006-09-09 22:30:56 · answer #6 · answered by mickjam 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is absolutely possible. My one year old son freaked out one night, in the middle of the night, with no apparant teething or fever issues, and generally being an excellent sleeper. I am certain it was a nightmare that freaked him out.
2006-09-09 22:30:58 · answer #7 · answered by Daniel M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they can have nightmares when they are infants. I remember my kids would wimper in their sleep when they were just a few months old. Wonder what they were dreaming about?
2006-09-10 00:10:21 · answer #8 · answered by Marcy T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Pediatrician said that they can start to occur as early as 18 months. Poor lil thing.
2006-09-09 22:33:03 · answer #9 · answered by **KELLEY** 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my little one has been telling me about his scary dreams since he could talk. I suggest no eating right before bed and no nursery rhymes. Read to them a beautiful happy story every night even if they don't listen to the whole thing. It makes them think nice thoughts before they sleep and it seems to help.
2006-09-09 22:31:46 · answer #10 · answered by sophia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋