Unofficial Mom: NIghtmares

October 15, 2012

NIghtmares

My darling girl is having them.

Lots of them.

Really bad ones.

I can't begin to imagine what an almost 3 year old is having nightmares about, and as much as we've managed to get from her is that animals are involved. But they are terrible. To the point that she wakes up screaming and shaking, and often takes 20 minutes or more to calm down even after I am holding her.

She will be sound asleep and is crying, kicking her legs, and punching out her arms. I don't know if it's protective, aggressive, general reflex...

All I know is that these nightmares are terrible and I don't know what to do about them. We've added light to her room, taken it away, changed it, added music, covered the window, uncovered it, moved things/stuffies in and out of her bed, changed the way we put her down, we even gave her a flashlight so that if she woke up scared she could look around the room and see that there was nothing scary.

And still she ends up in bed with us every night. If she were playing the system I'd let her cry it out, but she is legitimately terrified and I will not leave her to deal with that alone.

The result, however, is that none of us are getting enough sleep and that makes all of us grumpy.

I really don't know if this is a result of the drug-exposed pregnancy, an early manifestation of bipolar or any of the other mental health issues she may possibly face, her sensory disorder, or something else entirely.

Any thoughts? Suggestions? Help?

It is breaking my heart for her to be going through this...

Comments (6)

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Jackie · 650 weeks ago

Oh, poor Pie. I wish I had some advice or answers for you! Isla has nightmares that wake her up about once a week - not nearly as violent as Pie's sound- but they leave her pretty shaken. I'm hoping that hers are something she'll outgrow. Hope you all get some sleep soon!

1 reply · active 650 weeks ago

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Sara · 650 weeks ago

I hate that Isla is having them too! It's miserable and totally heartbreaking!!

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Emily · 650 weeks ago

Icie went through a spurt where nightmares and night terrors were almost a nightly thing, they are very rare now but there was a time that I felt hopeless and that she would never have normal sleep. I think it's more of a stage then anything else, and some kids just get hit hard with them.
It's rough but it does get better.

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cakeburnette · 650 weeks ago

Night terrors...I don't believe either of my two had them (although the oldest used to sleep walk). I don't know what the experts suggest, but there are ways to cope with these and I believe they are usually something preschoolers grow out of eventually. So sorry your family is going through them!

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Tammiejoe · 649 weeks ago

Long time reader...first commenter......my almost 6 year old has them occassionaly. What we have come up with is that she calls me to her room, I lie down with her and snuggle her. We don't talk about the bad dream during the night (I will if she remembers it in the morning then I just reassure her it was a bad dream and all make beleive), we just begin reciting her 'happy thoughts'. any word that makes her think of really happy things. I say it softly over and over and soon she is either back to sleep or comfortable with me leaving her bed. Our happy words are "rainbows, cotton candy, unicorns, princesses, grampies shoulders, puppy kissess, mommie's love".... I know your sweet Pie is still little, but you might try it? Best of luck and sweet dreams to all of you!

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Tammiejoe · 649 weeks ago

...forgot to add, that this will usually last 5-10 minutes and everyone is happily back to sleep. If she comes into your room first, walk her or carry her back to hers to start the happy thoughts. :)