Can a 15 month old have nightmares?

Question

My 15 month old son screams bloody murder during the night without ever waking up. Could he be having nightmares or is he in some sort of pain. And why doesn't he wake up?

Answer 1

Absolutely. These are night terrors.

http://www.drgreene.com/21_155.html

http://toddlerstoday.com/resources/articles/nightterrors.htm

and

http://www.kidzzzsleep.org/handouts/sleepterrors.htm

Our daughter used to have them all the time. She would be soundly asleep one second, then screaming, then when I would go to comfort her, she would not even be really awake, and would drift right back off to sleep.

It is a phase that will pass in time.

Good luck!

Answer 2

My daughter does the same thing! Its just a nightmare. Unless he is clearly in pain I wouldent worry too much about it. Is he grabbing a certian part of his body wher he screams? If not hes just dreaming. i usually sit next to my daughter and gently stroke her head and whisper into her ear about things that she likes and she calms down. You wouldent think that that a baby could have too much to be dreaming of but they do. Just be there for him and dont wake him up during a nightmare! It will make him even more terrified and some kids can become violent. He is obviously a deep sleeper, so the dreams just seem real to him. You are doing fine and he will be fine. Just watch for sleep walking. Good luck and dont worry too much. Its just his creative mind, probaly not pain.

Answer 3

General behavior characteristics by age include the following:
* Infants cry and scream until someone comforts them. Their nightmares can begin as early as 1 to 2 years of age,
* Toddlers have bad dreams about being apart from their parents,
* Preschoolers will cry and run to their parents' bedroom. They dream about monsters or the dark.
* Older children will go back to sleep without waking their parents. Their dreams are often about death or real dangers

Answer 4

have you been waching scary movies lately ? if so that might be the problem . and if he does not stop screaming go into his bed room. gentally wake him up. if he looks frightend with tears in his eyes and is sobbing and has a little bit of hiccups. he is haveing nightmares. and then try to calm him down with his pacciphire, bottle or one of his stuffed animals .

Answer 5

It could be nightmares. If he doesn't complain of any pain when you ask, then it just might be. You can take him to your pediatrician if you're really worried. Sometimes children won't admit to anything bothering them until it's really bad. It's usually just a long-lasting stage though.

Answer 6

It could be that your child is experiencing night terrors. It is usually a short phase they go through. My son had them, then went through a phase of sleepwalking and now he sleeps normally. So don't be discouraged..it should not last. Here is a helpful website with more info. :) Hope this helps!

Answer 7

Yes babies have nightmares. You might be careful with what your baby watches during the day.

Answer 8

Yes, right now is the typical time they start having night terrors. He wont even remember them, thank goodness. For your piece of mind you can check on him but really he is fine. It just proves to you that his brain is growing properly.

Answer 9

well you baby can have to much food or drink or sweets these well cause nightmares if they have to much i had the same problem when my baby was that old I went to my doctor and he told me to feed my baby less so i did and he stopped having nightmares.

Answer 10

The are night terrors. He won't have a clue about them, so when he wakes he won't know what you have had to endure.
Talk to your health visitor to see if there is anything you can do to ease them :)