A child crying out at night can send a caregiver rushing down the hall. The first useful question is not “How do I make this stop?” but “Is my child awake?” Nightmares and night terrors can look equally alarming from the doorway, yet they call for different responses.
Nightmare or night terror?
A nightmare is a frightening dream. A child usually wakes fully, recognizes you and may remember images or a story. Nightmares are more common in the later part of the night, when dreaming sleep is longer. Your child may want comfort, a light or help putting the dream into words.
A night terror happens during deep sleep, often in the first part of the night. A child may sit up, shout, sweat, breathe quickly or push you away while looking terrified. They may not recognize you because they are not truly awake, and they usually remember nothing in the morning. This is different from a child who wakes from a bad dream and seeks reassurance.
What to do tonight
If it seems to be a nightmare
- Offer brief, steady comfort: “That dream felt scary. You are safe here.”
- Keep lights low and the interaction quiet so the room still signals sleep.
- Help with one small reset: a sip of water, a quick check under the bed or a familiar comfort object.
- Save the longer conversation or drawing for daylight. At night, your child needs safety more than an explanation.
If it seems to be a night terror
- Stay calm and remain nearby. Trying to wake or restrain a child can make the episode more confusing.
- Protect them from injury. Clear hard objects, block unsafe stairs and gently guide them away from danger if they get up.
- Use a low voice, but do not expect an answer. Most episodes end on their own and the child settles back to sleep.
- In the morning, avoid describing the episode dramatically. Your child may have no memory of it.
Write down the time, length and what you observed. A short log is more useful than a tired guess and may show whether episodes follow overtired days, illness or disrupted routines.
Make the next few nights easier
Keep bedtime predictable and protect enough sleep. Being very tired can make some partial-arousal events more likely. A short routine—wash, pajamas, one story, one phrase, lights out—works better than adding new steps after every difficult night. Our guide to ending repeated bedtime requests kindly can help you keep that finish clear.
For a child worried about the dark, involve them in a daytime plan: choose a dim nightlight, place a comfort object within reach and rehearse a simple phrase such as, “It was a dream; I can call for help.” If worries spill into the day, see our practical guide to supporting childhood worries and fears.
When to seek help
Ask a pediatrician or family doctor about episodes that are frequent, worsening, causing injury, disrupting the household severely or accompanied by loud snoring, gasping, unusual stiffening or repetitive movements. Get urgent help if your child has trouble breathing, changes color, is badly injured or does not recover as expected. A video taken from a safe distance and your sleep log can help a clinician understand what you saw.
One frightening night does not require a perfect response. Keep your child safe, match your response to whether they are awake, and return to the familiar rhythm of the night.
