My 18 month old has been having nightmares. One or two nights a month is okay but this has been three or 4 nights in a row. He's not having night terrors. He is easily comforted, but then he wakes again in an hour. Sometimes HOURLY all night. I have tried everything I can think of and would love some advice. There haven't been any major changes in our lives or anythings. No stress /@ home or anything. All is normal.
Thanks mamas.
N..
Each of my kids went through this around this age. A nightlight was all that they needed, problem solved. Good luck.
My son went through the same thing. The most helpful thing I found was green hope flower essences (www.greenhopeessences.com). They have not one drop of alcohol (unlike Bach) and are 100% safe for children (pets, plants, adults and I spray them in the rooms too). I got my son Golden Armour, sweet pea, energium and babes of light. I put a small amount of the golden armour and the energium into a tiny spray bottle with water and every night before he went to bed I helped him spray any area of his room he felt needed it and said that the spray was magical angel spray that would only allow nice dreams to come that night. We did that and rang a little 'angel bell' (just a plain bell that we kept by his bed in case he woke up upset in the middle of the night), gave him the drops in his mouth before bed and it seemed to comfort him greatly. They are around $8 a bottle so it doesn't break the bank. You can phone them for more information: ###-###-####.
One thing you should try not to do is to tell him that there is nothing to be afraid of because he IS afraid and if you tell him that, you are telling him not to trust his feelings. Maybe say something like 'that sounds like a scary dream! I am glad you told me about it, should we spray our magic angel spray so you can go back to sleep?'.
Good luck:)
In my experience, nightmares are usually caused by two things:
1) needing to pee
2) sugar before bed
Since your toddler is probably in diapers, the first might not apply, unless he's learning to hold it? The second might. We limit sweet things (fruit included) two hours before bed, or our six-year old wakes up crying, every time.
Also, not making a big deal of it, and just knowing it will pass, it probably will pass sooner!
I have that same problem with my now three year old. It's been off and on for about a year now. The pediatrician said it's normal. I just go in and usually end up sleeping with him. Just know that it will pass.
We had the same problem, it does go away eventually. It comes from an very imaginative mind and connections forming. Here are a couple of things that helped. Nightlight under the bed...boogie men will not go where there is light...same with closet. Set up one of the stuffed animals of his/her choice as the room guard. Dress him up like a policeman and let your toddler put the room policeman where it makes them feel safe. Softly play classical music in the room at night all night long. It will not only help them sleep but there are studies that say it will make them smarter as well. They still will have a few nightmares or terrors but these steps help them to feel safe. I hope these suggestions help you. My kid did just fine, she is 21 almost 22 and graduating from Penn State this year.
My daughter went through the same thing at that age. Same thing, no stress, etc. You never do know what babies find scary. Hang in there, they should pass. :)
