Nightmares and Night Terrors in Toddlers: What's the Difference?

Your toddler wakes up screaming. Are they having a nightmare? A night terror? Something else? These nighttime disturbances can be alarming for parents, but understanding what's happening can help you respond appropriately.

Nightmares and night terrors are different phenomena that require different responses.

Nightmares vs. Night Terrors: Key Differences AAP

| Feature | Nightmares | Night Terrors |
|---------|------------|---------------|
| When in night | Second half of night (REM sleep) | First third of night (deep sleep) |
| Age onset | 2-3 years typically | 18 months - 6 years |
| Consciousness | Fully awake after | Appears awake but isn't |
| Memory | Remembers the dream | No memory in morning |
| Recognizes parent | Yes | May not |
| Comforted by parent | Yes | May not be/pushes away |
| Duration | Child wakes quickly | 5-30 minutes typically |
| What to do | Comfort and reassure | Keep safe, don't wake |

Understanding Nightmares NSF

What are nightmares?

• Bad dreams that cause fear or distress
• Occur during REM (dreaming) sleep
• Toddler wakes up fully from the dream
• Can describe what happened (to extent of vocabulary)

When do nightmares start?

• Usually begin around 2-3 years old
• When imagination develops enough to create scenarios
• May increase with language development
• Peak around 3-6 years old

What causes nightmares?

• Normal brain development
• Processing of daily experiences
• Overstimulation before bed
• Scary books, shows, or experiences
• Life changes or stress
• Illness or fever
• Often no clear cause

Signs it's a nightmare:

• Toddler wakes crying or upset
• Calls for you and wants comfort
• Can tell you they had a bad dream
• Recognizes you and is comforted by your presence
• May have trouble going back to sleep (afraid)
• Remembers the dream next day

How to Help with Nightmares AAP

In the moment:

• Go to your toddler quickly
• Comfort and reassure
• "You had a bad dream. It wasn't real. You're safe."
• Hold, cuddle, offer physical comfort
• Stay until toddler is calm
• Help them fall back asleep

Avoid:

• Minimizing their fear ("It's just a dream, stop crying")
• Showing your own fear or concern
• Dwelling extensively on the dream content
• Allowing toddler to come to your bed (unless that's your choice)

To help with falling back asleep:

• Check under bed, in closet if toddler needs reassurance
• Nightlight if darkness is scary
• Comfort object (blanket, stuffed animal)
• "Nightmare spray" (water in spray bottle)
• Stay calm—your presence is reassuring

Reducing nightmare frequency:

• Consistent, calming bedtime routine
• No screens before bed
• No scary books or shows
• Adequate sleep (overtiredness increases nightmares)
• Talk about fears during the day (not at bedtime)
• Security and consistency in daily life

Understanding Night Terrors AAP

What are night terrors?

• Not dreams—occur in deep (non-REM) sleep
• Also called sleep terrors or confusional arousals
• Child appears awake but is not
• Actually a partial arousal from deep sleep

When do night terrors occur?

• Usually 1-3 hours after falling asleep
• During transition between deep sleep stages
• When brain has trouble moving smoothly between stages

What causes night terrors?

• Normal brain development (immature sleep transitions)
• Overtiredness
• Irregular sleep schedule
• Fever or illness
• Sleep apnea or other sleep disorders
• Genetics (often runs in families)
• Stress or change
• Needing to urinate

Signs it's a night terror:

• Occurs early in the night (within a few hours of bedtime)
• Sudden screaming, crying, or yelling
• Eyes may be open but toddler isn't "there"
• May thrash, kick, or run around
• Doesn't recognize you
• May push you away or become more agitated if you try to comfort
• Sweating, fast heartbeat, fast breathing
• Lasts 5-30 minutes, then toddler falls back asleep
• No memory of it in the morning

How to Handle Night Terrors AAP

During the episode:

• DO NOT try to wake your toddler—this can prolong it
• Keep toddler safe (prevent falls, injury)
• Don't restrain unless necessary for safety
• Speak calmly: "You're safe. It's okay."
• Don't shake, shout, or try to snap them out of it
• Wait it out—episode will end on its own

Why not to wake them:

• It won't help—they're not having a bad dream
• Waking can be very confusing and distressing
• Can actually prolong the episode
• Toddler won't remember anyway

After the episode:

• Toddler will fall back to sleep (or already be asleep)
• No need to discuss it—they don't remember
• Don't show worry or make it a big deal
• In morning, child has no memory of it

Preventing night terrors:

• Ensure adequate sleep (overtiredness is a major trigger)
• Consistent sleep schedule
• Early enough bedtime
• Calm bedtime routine
• Scheduled awakening: If terrors happen at same time nightly, gently wake toddler 15-30 minutes before typical time, then let fall back asleep

When Night Terrors Are More Serious AAP

See your pediatrician if:

• Episodes are very frequent (multiple per week)
• Toddler is injuring themselves during episodes
• Episodes last more than 30 minutes
• Toddler has daytime sleepiness
• Snoring or breathing issues during sleep
• Behaviors occur throughout the night (not just early)
• You're concerned about development

These could indicate:

• Sleep disorder (sleep apnea can trigger terrors)
• Need for further evaluation
• Underlying issue to address

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking NSF

Related to night terrors:

• All are partial arousals from deep sleep
• Often occur together
• Similar triggers (overtiredness, irregular schedule)
• Same approach: keep safe, don't wake

Sleepwalking safety:

• Gate at top of stairs
• Secure windows
• Lock exterior doors
• Remove hazards from floor
• May need door alarm to alert you

Sleep talking:

• Very common, especially in toddlers
• Not concerning
• May say nonsense or have "conversations"
• Don't engage—they're not really awake

What Other Parents Ask

Q: My toddler screams at night but I can't tell if it's a nightmare or night terror. How do I know?
A: Key question: Does your toddler recognize you and want comfort? If yes, probably nightmare. If toddler seems to look through you, pushes you away, or can't be comforted, probably night terror. Timing also helps: nightmares are late in night, night terrors early.

Q: Will my toddler remember the night terror?
A: No. Night terrors occur in deep sleep with no dream content. Your toddler won't remember anything. You don't need to discuss it or bring it up—doing so might actually create anxiety. AAP

Q: Are night terrors a sign of psychological problems?
A: No. Night terrors are a normal variation in sleep architecture, especially in young children. They're related to brain development and are not caused by psychological issues or trauma. NSF

Q: My toddler has been having nightmares since starting daycare. Is this normal?
A: Yes. Life changes can increase nightmare frequency. This is the brain's way of processing new experiences and emotions. It should settle as toddler adjusts.

Q: Should I let my toddler come to my bed after a nightmare?
A: This is a personal choice. If you're okay with co-sleeping, it's fine. If you'd rather not start that habit, comfort toddler in their own room and help them fall back asleep there. AAP

The Bottom Line

Nightmares and night terrors are different phenomena that require different responses. Nightmares are scary dreams from which your toddler wakes fully and wants comfort. Night terrors are partial arousals from deep sleep during which your toddler appears awake but isn't, and won't respond to comfort.

Key points:

• Nightmares: second half of night, toddler wakes and wants comfort
• Night terrors: first hours of night, toddler seems awake but isn't
• Comfort and reassure after nightmares
• Keep safe and don't wake during night terrors
• Adequate sleep and consistent schedule prevent both
• Both are normal parts of development
• Most children outgrow night terrors

Clara is here to help you understand and navigate scary nights.