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?!!!

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?

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.

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?