Nightmares in Children
When we sleep our mind is still active. Dreaming is an involuntary mental process in which our brain assimilates information (images, memories, thoughts …) in our memory. If something worries or much round we head into our subconscious can take them during sleep. Our mind creates a virtual reality that will solve problems or to be an outlet to escape from reality. They tend to concentrate in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) or what is the same as REM (rapid eye movements), and can remember waking up all or part of the dream, again depending on the type of dream we’ve had.
Nightmares are dreams that cause us fear or terror and awaken the patient out of REM sleep. Nightmares may be recurrent and repetitive and can be given to several in the same night. Between 10% and 50% of the population have nightmares and it’s the same with children. Nightmares usually occur in children from 2 years, but are most common in children 3 to 5 years. It is unknown what the specific cause of why children have nightmares, but was related to the stress and anxiety.
If you do not warn and / or are not prepared may appear behaviors that hinder normal rest, as childhood fears to sleep, darkness, or refuse to go to bed or the need to sleep with the lights on.
The first thing parents do is be aware of what children see on television, especially before bedtime, because these images are something that can affect sleep and cause nightmares. And something not often said, but it is also important is that the room should have good temperature, nightmares are more frequent when we are cold.
We must be vigilant of our children, if they wake up in the middle of the night with fear, come right away, so they know they have nothing to fear because their parents are on their side, need to feel protected. And give them all our support, help and comfort.
Although we awaken in the middle of the night with their cries, we have to get nervous, have to note that we are calm, they have to talk quietly, be with them and hope they calm down and return to sleep. And whenever they wish, it’s good to talk about the nightmares and make them understand that everything is fine. For children to be more open on these issues is a good technique that is to say the theory of “if you have not fulfilled the dreams and nightmares that if you have never become reality, so that we can share with us and give our support.
It is advisable not wake up, if sobs or talk in your sleep. It is better to wait until he wakes up by itself or return to a good nights sleep peacefully. Maybe the child overcome his own nightmare in the dream. To reinforce his self-confidence can tell you that when you dream you can be whatever you want and may even have powers, being a superhero, and so on. that will help them overcome their fears. They can also tell what dreams are and because we have them. All can help your child sleep better.
Nobody is in favor of taking our own bed, or that parents are entering their own, can lead to confusion if you do not sleep with us will never be safe or that the nightmares continue.
If you observe that the frequently recurring nightmares you should consult your pediatrician.