Frequent nightmares, help?

[hollyround]

My daughter who is 3 1/2 has been having "bad dreams" for wel over a year now and normally wakes 3 times most nights. The result is we are all knackered! I can't find any obvious reason for her to be having nightmares, she has home cooked food, as few additives etc as poss, a good bedtime routine, bath, story etc, no problems at home and her brother, 6 has had the same and sleeps fine. She has had no change at nursery or home and her teacher hasn't observed any problems. I don't know what to do as am so tired of getting up most nights. If she wakes, I try to just go in, not talk too much and resettle her but if I've been up a lot I will bring her in to my bed as can't stand up much longer! If she sleeps through she gets a reward like a sticker etc and lots of praise. I have tried rescue remedy and lavender oil to no avail. Any ideas?!!! Help?!!!

[ClaudiaSchiffer]

Blimey, poor you.

I've got no ideas which will stop the nightmares but my dd has night terrors which started when she was 2ish and continue until today, she is 4 1/2. As far as we can see, like you, there is no obvious cause.

I have spoken about it to a couple of docs who both said it is relatively common, nothing to worry about just let her settle down after a bad dream and she will eventually grow out of them.

But then dds are about 1 or 2 a month not 3 times a night . . . have you spoken to the doc about it?

[hollyround]

I haven't spoken to the doctor yet as she has a cold and cough at the moment and i'm sure they will think she's waking because of that. I think it might be habit but it's hard not to go into her if she is crying because of a dream as she seems genuinely sad not just tryibg it on.

[ClaudiaSchiffer]

It does sound as if she has rather got into the habit of waking and not being able to settle herself - could you talk to a hv (or someone) about how best to tackle it? ie treat it as a sleep problem not a nightmare one iyswim

Does she have a night light?