How do i deal with a child who keeps having nightmares?

Question

She recently lost her mother and she cries and moans while she's sleeping. The only way she calms down is if i hold her. She is only 2 years old so it is hard to communicate with her and find out what she's seeing in her dreams. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

My youngest daughter is now 9, but began having night terrors and nightmares when she was a little over 2. She has night mares still. The night terrors have subsided considerably, but she still has them occasionally. Because of her young age, much of what she sees and hears is difficult for her to understand. Your brain is always active and she may be trying to process a lot of strange and confusing things right now. Try to set up a daily day-time routine and head into the night time with a consistent routine. Begin bed-time preparations right after dinner. Perhaps you'll want to play with her for a 1/2 hour and then have her take a warm bath with a soothing bed-time wash. Follow that with some warm and cozy pajamas. Keep the TV off. We found that shows without any questionable content often had commercials for upcoming shows that were scaring our daughter. Have a healthy snack and a drink of water followed by some bed time stories. We had to really watch the content of the stories we read to our daughter, so be sure to pre-read them for content. Turn the lights down low or use a night light in her room. Sit with her until she falls asleep or rock with her until she is just about to fall asleep. I do not recommend that she sleep with you as it is a very hard habit to break. It is best for you to sit with her if she is having trouble going to sleep or staying asleep. She does not need to be able to tell you what the nightmares are about. She just needs to know that you are there for her when she is afraid. Our daughter is still a very rest-less sleeper. She tosses and turns, talks in her sleep, and never remains covered. Another thing we used when our daughter was small was a cassette player in her room and we played soft lullaby music (without words) when she went to sleep. She still requests that sometimes.

Answer 2

I do not agree to letting her sleep in your room, but the other suggestions are really good ones. Hold her and rock her read her to sleep. This is so heartbreaking to read. She will be like this for a while as she continues to forget what has happened to her mom. You are being so wonderful with her and doing everything you can. I would suggest take her to the pedi doctor if her daytime behavior becomes affected as well. Dreams are a way for the mind to cope with anything traumatic that has happened, even though scary, is natural. Blessings to you both.

Answer 3

Are you watching something that has something to do with frightening stuff , detrimental stuff , killing? If not then perhaps this is an indication. think of. Is there something on your nightmares that all and sundry have the comparable difficulty besides the glaring? working example: once you're having a nightmare approximately motor vehicle crashes. yet you hold focusing on the different information on your nightmares. however the main perfect difficulty that all and sundry your nightmares have is what...? motor vehicle Crashes. It would not would desire to be approximately watching a action picture from the day formerly today. it may nonetheless impression you in case you suspect it 2 years in the past. i understand this is weird and wonderful whether it may. you say you have nightmares approximately suicide , killing , and death? Hmm..all of them seem to have a similarity: death. If this is not that then perhaps your dream is attempting to supply you a message?

Answer 4

The most important thing to do is to let her know that you are still there for her. She will obviously notice that mom isn't around but after a while she will adjust. Maybe a photo of mom next to her bed or something that smells like mom could help. It must be difficult for you as well. Heal together. It may help her (and you) to cry with her once in a while. My children were extremely helpful when my mother died. You might not realize it but they do sense changes in their environment such as the absence of a parent. Don't underestimate the power of love to help you both heal.

Answer 5

Ok that sounds like my child. When she was almost 3 she lost her dad, and they were very very close. She didnt sleep good and during the day she just did not seem right.
I know this sounds crazy what I am about to write buts its the truth.
I went to friend who is a channeler. He channeled her father and it was that her father did not realize that he was dead and he was searching for his daughter. This meant that he was pulling on her soul, looking for her. My friend told him that he past away and that he has to go on, and that his daughter is ok. We went home and my daughter wanted to paint. So I prepared everything for her and left her alone. An 1/2 hour later she said she was finished and took me to her room. The whole room was full of crosses. Black - brown - gray. And after that she was back to normal.
I am not saying she needs a channle session, but maybe her mother is looking for her and she feels it in her sleep.
Take her to the mothers grave and have a farewell. Talk to the mother say that she does not have worry about you and your daughter. That she should go into the light and that its alright and not to have fear.
You could also pray everynight with her, and say we pray that mom is not worried about us and that she will visit her in her dreams.
Dont think a 2 year old does not understand, they just dont know how to say it. So you will have to say it for her, help her thru it all.
I found what helped alot was gathering pictures of her father ones she liked most and we put them in a big frame and hung it in her room.
You could also give her something of her mom to hold onto at night. Something like moms pillow or nighty or whatever is special for her.
I wish you all the best and dont worry its get better/easier.

Answer 6

Since she's so young, she should be allowed to sleep in your room for a while. Gradually, let her sleep in her own room, and always keep the door open and have a night light on. Sit with her until she falls asleep. She's still oblivious to the fact that her mother is dead, remember that.

Answer 7

I have a great suggestion! Get a water bottle and fill it with water. Put a label on it that says dream spray. Tell her that its a spray that can take all the bad things out of the room and in her dreams. I use it all the time.

Answer 8

Try not to give her food before she sleeps. Atleast 2-3 hours. If that doesnt work I suggest you consult a peditrician.

Answer 9

read her a story before bed, keep a nightlight in her room, and maybe let her sleep in your room for a little while...

Answer 10

Night lights.... stories..... I don't really know.... I feel bad though....