How To Help Your Child Deal With Nightmares
Nightmares happen frequently in young children. Around 25 % of young kids get nightmares more than once in a week. It can occur in children with really active imaginations, and in young children who are sick. Kids may additionally have nightmares if there have been recent accidents, injuries or other distressing incidents at home. Even the common stresses at home or in school, can trigger nightmares in younger children. Certain medicines like antidepressants, barbiturates and narcotics may also cause nightmares.
Most nightmares usually occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep , which is normally between four and six o’clock in the morning. Occasionally a nightmare may repeat itself on different instances. Nightmares are scary for young children, and they may resist falling asleep if they are afraid.
Young children may perceive nightmares as real, and it is necessary for parents to help children to make them feel secured. A kid would usually give details regarding his nightmare. Hence parents must try to probe further, and help the child perceive nightmares as unreal. You can also be creative by editing the kid’s nightmare through a story, and turning it into something pleasant and non-threatening.
Since children who are stressed out are prone to having nightmares, parents should try to look at what may be bothering the kid. Young kids may still not deal with stress properly, and parents need to do their part in helping the kid deal with the stressors. Offer support and comfort the child, to make him feel secured.
A kid who is often bothered by nightmares, may no longer want to sleep alone. It is vital that parents try to be really supportive during this time. Sometimes it can help if you assure that your kid has his security object, to make him feel safe. A night light can also be reassuring, in case the child wakes up in the middle of the night. Opening your child’s bedroom door as well as the door to your room, can also give reassurance to a frightened child. Your little one may be comforted at the thought that he can go to you freely in case he is terrified. Parents must also avoid offering a child snacks prior to bedtime. Eating prior to bedtime can boost metabolism and mind activity, which may cause nightmares.
Though nightmares are typical, parents need to ensure a child’s safety under these circumstances. Ensure that safety gates are in place on top of stairs. Children who wake up in the middle of the night may still be groggy, and parents need to deal with safety issues accordingly.
Medical consultation due to nightmares is really rare, but parents need to seek medical assistance if a kid’s nightmares disrupt his sleep patterns. Similiarly, it is also necessary to report any signs and symptoms, that accompany your little one’s nightmares. Medications are seldom utilized for the treatment of nightmares, and it is usually given to suppress REM sleep. Although nightmares are unreal, it may be really scary for a kid. Parents simply need to remember that kids need all the support that they get through this trying time.
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