Night Terrors vs. Nightmares in Children

Night terrors and nightmares can look similar from the doorway, a child who seems distressed at night, but they’re different experiences with different causes, and telling them apart changes how you should respond in the moment.

Who This Is For

Your child sometimes screams, thrashes, or seems terrified during the night but doesn’t fully wake up
Your child wakes up scared from a bad dream and can describe it
You’re not sure whether what you’re seeing is a nightmare, a night terror, or something else
You want to know how to respond in the moment and whether you should be worried

Quick Summary

Recognize a nightmare: it tends to happen in the second half of the night (AAP), more often during REM sleep (Sleep Foundation), and your child wakes up and can usually describe it.
Recognize a night terror: it happens during non-REM sleep, usually a couple of hours after falling asleep (KidsHealth), and your child appears distressed but isn’t awake and won’t remember it.
Expect night terrors mainly in younger children. Cleveland Clinic says they are especially common between ages 3 and 7.
Know that nightmares can start very young and, per the AAP, peak between about ages 3 and 12.

Why This Happens

Different sleep stages

Nightmares tend to occur in the second half of the night and more often during REM sleep. The AAP says night terrors occur in the deepest stages of sleep, early in the night, and KidsHealth describes them as happening in non-REM sleep, usually about 2 to 3 hours after falling asleep. The child may look awake and upset but is not fully awake.

Overtiredness and irregular sleep

KidsHealth lists not getting enough sleep, being sick, and stress as triggers, and Cleveland Clinic lists sleep deprivation, fever, and stress or anxiety. Inconsistent sleep can be part of that. An irregular schedule is often tied to inconsistent naps or a recent nap transition, which is worth checking if terrors have increased recently.

Stress, big changes, or scary content

Stress and scary stories, movies, or other content may make bad dreams more likely, so it is sensible to keep an eye on what your child sees and hears before bed.

Fever or illness

Night terrors can be triggered by being sick or by a fever, according to KidsHealth and Cleveland Clinic. If your child is also drenched in sweat during these nights, see why children sweat at night.

Family history

Night terrors can run in families, according to KidsHealth and Cleveland Clinic.

How to Respond

During a night terror: keep them safe, don’t try to wake them

Stay calm, keep your child safe, and gently lead them back to bed. KidsHealth says not to try to wake your child, because it usually doesn’t work and kids who do wake are likely to be confused and upset. If your child is walking around while still asleep, see what to do when a child sleepwalks.

During a nightmare: comfort and reassure

Since the child is genuinely awake and aware, calm reassurance, a brief conversation about the dream, and comfort measures (a nightlight, a favorite object) may help them settle back to sleep. The AAP suggests comforting your child quickly, reassuring them and encouraging them to talk about the dream.

Protect sleep and keep a consistent schedule

Since not getting enough sleep is a listed trigger for night terrors, a consistent, adequate sleep schedule is a sensible way to try to reduce how often they happen.

Limit scary content before bed

For nightmares, reducing exposure to frightening stories, shows, or news close to bedtime, and talking through big changes or worries earlier in the day, may reduce how often they occur.

When to talk to a doctor

AAP advises talking with your child’s doctor if night terrors keep happening. KidsHealth says to call the doctor if episodes last longer than 30 minutes, happen more than once a week, keep your child from getting enough sleep, come with changes in daytime mood, or involve drooling, stiffening, or jerking. Cleveland Clinic adds injury, snoring, and excessive daytime sleepiness as reasons to see a provider.

Common Mistakes

Trying to fully wake a child during a night terror, which usually doesn’t work and can leave the child confused and upset
Panicking over a night terror when it is a sleep-stage event the child won’t remember (still see a doctor if the signs in the section above apply)
Pressing for details about a nightmare the next morning when the child seems to have moved on
Letting an irregular sleep schedule continue, since too little sleep is a listed night terror trigger

FAQ

What age do night terrors usually stop in children?

Night terrors are especially common between ages 3 and 7, according to Cleveland Clinic, and KidsHealth says they are most common in kids younger than 13. We did not find a source giving an exact age when they stop, so if they continue or worry you, ask your child’s doctor.

Should I wake my child up during a night terror?

No. KidsHealth advises not trying to wake your child during a night terror, because it usually doesn’t work and kids who do wake are likely to be confused and upset. Stay calm, keep your child safe, and gently lead them back to bed.

Will my child remember a nightmare the next morning?

Usually, yes. A child who has a nightmare typically wakes up, is aware of what happened, and can often describe the dream. This is very different from a night terror, where the child appears distressed but isn’t actually awake and has no memory of it later.

What causes night terrors in children?

Night terrors happen in non-REM sleep. KidsHealth lists not getting enough sleep, being sick, and stress as triggers, and Cleveland Clinic lists fever, sleep deprivation, and stress or anxiety. They can also run in families.

Key Takeaways

Nightmares tend to happen in the second half of the night and involve a child who wakes up and can describe the dream; night terrors happen early in the night, in non-REM sleep, and involve a child who appears distressed but isn’t awake and won’t remember it. The most useful things you can do are keep a consistent, adequate sleep schedule, respond calmly and appropriately to each type, and check in with a pediatrician if episodes are frequent, severe, or unusual.

About This Article

Written by the Sleep Fixes editorial team. We’re not medical professionals. We research each topic against primary sources and hold ourselves to being critical and thorough about what actually makes it onto the site.

This article is part of Sleep Fixes, a site focused on practical, easy-to-follow solutions for common sleep problems.

It is not medical advice. If you’re concerned about frequent or severe episodes, talk to your child’s pediatrician.

Night Terrors vs. Nightmares in Children: What’s the Difference?