Nightmares in Childhood – When Bad Dreams Disrupt Good Sleep
Most kids have the occasional nightmare; it’s a totally normal part of growing up. But for some, bad dreams become more than just a passing phase. When nightmares start happening often enough to cause fear of bedtime, frequent night wakings, or even daytime struggles, it could be a sign of something more: nightmare disorder.
Nightmares are especially common between ages 3 and 6, when children’s imaginations are vivid and their understanding of fear, danger, and separation is just beginning to form. But in some kids, nightmares happen several times a week, leading to bedtime resistance, disrupted sleep, and even emotional fallout during the day (like anxiety, clinginess, or mood swings).
While nightmare disorder can emerge after a traumatic event, it’s more often fueled by emotional stress, developmental changes, or an overactive imagination paired with poor sleep habits. And unlike night terrors (which kids usually don’t recall), children with nightmare disorder often wake up fully alert and can describe their dreams in vivid, sometimes disturbing detail.
When nightmares happen frequently, kids can start to feel anxious just thinking about going to bed. They may worry the bad dreams will come back or feel unsafe being alone at night. Over time, this can lead to full-on bedtime resistance (Click Here to Learn More) —stalling, crying, or refusing to go to sleep at all. Some kids even try to stay awake on purpose to avoid the fear of dreaming.
What Is Nightmare Disorder?
Nightmare disorder goes beyond the typical bad dream. It involves:
Frequent, vivid nightmares (often remembered in detail)
Distress or fear around sleep
Sleep disruption that impacts daytime mood or behavior
Why Do Nightmares Happen?
The content of nightmares tends to shift as children grow. For toddlers and preschoolers, dreams often center around imaginary threats—like monsters, shadows, or other make-believe creatures—because their brains are still learning to separate fantasy from reality. As children get a bit older, nightmares may begin to reflect real-life experiences that felt overwhelming or scary, such as getting a shot, encountering a large dog, or getting separated from a caregiver in public. By the time kids reach school age and beyond, nightmares often revolve around more complex stressors like starting a new school, going to camp, or even something as simple as watching a scary show. In other words, the themes of nightmares evolve alongside the child’s understanding of the world and their growing emotional awareness.
In summary, nightmares in kids can be triggered by:
Emotional stress (e.g., conflict, school changes)
Exposure to frightening media
Major developmental transitions
Sleep deprivation
Sometimes, trauma plays a role—but most often, it’s a combination of stress and imagination running wild during REM sleep.
What Parents Can Do at Home
If nightmares are frequent or affecting your child’s well-being, try these strategies:
Limit exposure to scary or overstimulating content, especially close to bedtime.
Reduce daily stressors where possible and talk through worries in the daytime.
Ensure enough sleep—overtired kids are more vulnerable to nightmares.
Provide calm reassurance—without overdoing it. When a child wakes from a nightmare, comfort them with a matter-of-fact tone: “You’re safe. It was just a dream.” Avoid lengthy discussions or keeping them up too long, as excessive attention can unintentionally backfire and make things worse.
Make sure you have a regular, calming bedtime routine— a calmer brain at the begging of the night is going to signal that the bed and nighttime don’t have to be scary. (Click Here to Learn More)
When to Seek Professional Help
If your child:
Has nightmares multiple times per week
Starts avoiding sleep altogether
Shows increased anxiety or mood changes
…it may be time for more targeted support. You can read more about our pediatric sleep services here. (Click Here)
How We Treat Nightmare Disorder in Kids
We use gentle, age-appropriate behavioral strategies such as:
Parent coaching to build predictable, secure bedtime routines
Cognitive-behavioral tools for managing fear and anxiety
Dream rescripting techniques like drawing or rewriting the dream’s ending to help kids regain a sense of control
These methods are non-invasive and empowering—and they work.
Stay Tuned for Part 2: Nightmares in Adults
Nightmares aren’t just a childhood issue. In fact, many adults experience chronic nightmares that affect their sleep, mental health, and quality of life. In Part 2, we’ll talk about how nightmare disorder presents in adults and the powerful, evidence-based treatments that can help break the cycle.
As always, if you need more support for your child (or yourself) click the link and schedule a free, no obligation, 15-minute phone consultation, today! Click Here
