Night terrors vs. nightmares: how to tell them apart
The child screams but doesn't really wake, or wakes up scared and remembers everything: two very different phenomena that call for different responses.
Night terrors happen during deep, non-REM sleep, usually in the first third of the night. The child may scream, sit up in bed, have their eyes open, and look terrified, but they aren't actually conscious and won't remember anything in the morning. They mostly affect children aged 2 to 6 and often resolve on their own.
Nightmares, on the other hand, occur during REM sleep, which is more common later in the night. The child wakes up fully, can describe what scared them, actively seeks comfort, and often remembers the dream, sometimes for days. They become more common as imagination develops, around age 3 to 6.
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During a night terror, it's generally best not to wake the child or try to reason with them — that can prolong the episode or make them more disoriented. Staying nearby, making sure they don't hurt themselves, and waiting for the episode to pass on its own (usually within a few minutes) is the most effective approach.
After a nightmare, direct comfort works well: reassure the child, turn on a night-light, stay by their side for a few minutes. Night terrors that are very frequent, prolonged, or appear for the first time in an older child are worth discussing with a healthcare provider, as they can sometimes be linked to sleep deprivation or another underlying issue.
This information is general and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional (doctor, midwife, nurse, pharmacist). Every situation is unique: always check with them before making a decision. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services.
