how young do little ones have nightmares?

[Mazzystar]

ds woke up at about 3 am this morning, screaming, weeping, arching his back, very unusual. took about 5 minutes to calm him down and he went to sleep clutching me like he was scared (we co-sleep, a little reluctantly on our part). didn't seem to have any pain or temperature. he's 17 months. how early can children have nightmares?

children that young often have 'nightterrors' - supposedly they happen early in the night - but DS1 always had them much later than that. Nightmares seem to come a bit later

Hiya
We have night terrors. Nasty scary things, where they scream in terror or pain, but dont actually wake up. He even opens his eyes, but still wont wake up!!
DTG