Night Terrors vs Nightmares: What Every Parent Should Know

Written by Nectarsleep Editorial Team

Last updated on Oct 08, 2025

Better Sleep Blog
Night Terrors vs Nightmares: What Every Parent Should Know

In this article:

If you’ve ever been woken in the middle of the night by your child crying or screaming, your heart probably skipped a beat. Was it a bad dream? Or something more intense — like a night terror?

Nightmares and night terrors can look similar at first, but they’re actually quite different experiences. Understanding what’s going on can help you comfort your child (and yourself!) and know when to seek extra support.

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What Are Nightmares?

Nightmares are scary dreams that happen during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the stage when we dream most vividly. They usually occur in the early morning hours, when REM sleep is more frequent.

After a nightmare, children often wake up fully, remember the dream, and may feel frightened or seek reassurance.
 You might hear something like:

“Mummy, there was a monster chasing me!”

Common causes of nightmares:

  • Stress or anxiety (big changes at school, arguments, moving house)

  • Overstimulation before bed (screens, exciting TV shows)

  • Illness or fever

  • Overtiredness

How to Help with Nightmares

When your child wakes from a nightmare, they’re awake and aware — and they need reassurance.

  • Stay calm and comforting. Sit beside them, offer a hug, and remind them they’re safe.

  • Avoid dismissing their fears. Saying “Don’t be silly, it’s just a dream” can make them feel unheard. Instead, acknowledge their feelings:

    “That must have been really scary, but it’s all over now.”

  • Offer comfort objects. A favourite teddy, blanket, or night light can help them feel secure.

  • Keep bedtime calm. A warm bath, gentle story, or soft music helps set the tone for peaceful sleep.

  • Avoid scary media. Especially before bedtime — the brain tends to replay what it’s seen.

 

What Are Night Terrors?

Night terrors (also called sleep terrors) are very different from nightmares. They happen during deep non-REM sleep, usually within the first few hours after bedtime.

During a night terror, your child might:

  • Sit up suddenly and scream

  • Appear terrified or confused

  • Have a racing heartbeat, sweating, or fast breathing

  • Look directly at you — but not actually recognise you

  • Move around or even get out of bed, while still asleep

The unsettling part for parents is that your child isn’t fully awake, even though their eyes might be open. They’re trapped in a state between sleep and wakefulness — which is why attempts to comfort or wake them usually don’t work.

Your child will typically have no memory of the episode the next morning.

Night terrors are most common in children aged 3 to 7, and they often disappear as the nervous system matures.

Common triggers:

  • Overtiredness or irregular sleep schedules

  • Fever or illness

  • Stress or anxiety

  • Sleeping in a new environment

How to Handle a Night Terror

Although it’s incredibly unsettling, the best thing you can do is stay calm and make sure your child is safe.

  • Do not try to wake them. It won’t stop the episode and may make them more disoriented.

  • Keep them safe. Gently prevent them from getting hurt — guide them away from furniture or stairs if they get out of bed.

  • Wait it out. Night terrors usually last between 5 and 20 minutes.

  • Guide them back to bed once the episode ends. They’ll likely fall back into deep sleep quickly.

Most importantly, remember that your child is not in distress, even if it looks that way. They won’t remember the event, and there’s no lasting harm.

The Key Differences at a Glance

Nightmares

Night Terrors

When they happen

Late night / early morning (REM sleep)

Early night (deep sleep)

Child remembers?

Yes, often vividly

No, usually not at all

Wakes up fully?

Yes

No

Behaviour

Frightened but responsive

Agitated, screaming, not fully awake

Duration

A few minutes

5–20 minutes

Best response

Comfort and reassure

Stay calm, ensure safety, don’t wake

 

When to Seek Help

Occasional nightmares or night terrors are perfectly normal. However, if your child:

  • Has frequent or severe episodes

  • Shows signs of daytime anxiety or exhaustion

  • Or if the episodes are impacting family sleep

…it may be worth speaking to your GP or a sleep specialist for advice.

 

 

Final Thoughts

Both nightmares and night terrors can be distressing — for little ones and parents alike — but they’re usually just a normal part of childhood development. With time, patience, and a calm bedtime routine, most children outgrow them completely.

A warm bath, gentle music, and a reassuring bedtime story can go a long way toward peaceful dreams for everyone.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about your sleep, health, or wellbeing, please consult your GP or a qualified healthcare professional. The views expressed in this post are those of the author and are intended to share general insights, not to diagnose or treat any condition.

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