Severe nightmares in 5 year old!

[Netix]

I hope this is in the right place.

DD, turning six next February, has severe nightmares, at least one every night. I don't always hear her, but the Man does, and she is always very distressed. Obviously in the mornings it is nigh on impossible to get her to wake up and out of bed to go to school.

I really need some suggestions on what we might be able to do to maybe help her sleep better, or just something! The Man says I should take her to the doctor, but for what? Many thanks.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Has she told you what they are about?
Could you try a dream catcher above her bed.

Some people say to limit certain foods before bed, leave a night light in her room etc etc.

Sometimes a GP could advise if he/she thinks there might be another cause ie. anxiety etc etc.

Hope it passes ASAP hun.

[Mother Goose]

I'd try and discuss her fears with her to get an understanding of what it might be. You could try getting her to draw pictures of things that make her happy, sad, frightened etc. This might give you some more insight. I know my DD can never recall the dream itself - just the feeling scared...

Also try and track what sort of things she is watching on TV, reading, learning at school. Maybe have a chat to her teacher and see if there is something going on at school or a theme in the playground that might be playing on her mind (it's amazing what goes on in the school playground!).

I'd also track what she eats and drinks before bed and how close to bed time. Some people have odd dreams after certain foods (usually soft cheeses!) so maybe have a look at that as well...

There's nothing wrong with seeing the GP over it - especially if it is having such a big impact on her in the mornings and during the day.

I hope her dreams end soon. It's not nice having bad dreams.

[Butterfly Dawn]

Cheese is hard to digest, so while its good for the teeth at night it can def lead to vivid dreams.

If you believe in it, homeopathy may help- rescue remedy etc given before bed and after the dreams.

Drawing may help her explain or doll play.
If she could tell you basics then maybe a dream translator on the net could help.
Hope you can sort it out. Nightmares are horrible to have.

[Lisa]

I think it might be the age too. My kids have all started getting nightmares or vivid dreams around the age of 5. My DS2 gets them and they can leave him really distressed. One of his last ones was that he was sent to gaol for something silly and he was majorly upset. I wake with him in our bed at least twice a week due to bad dreams.

[Netix]

Thank you everyone.
The last two nights DD has slept through. Yesterday morning she got up on her own and dressed and was sitting on the couch watching tv, very cheery. She said she had great sleep, and no nightmares. The only thing that I have really done, because I haven't investigated school, or noted what she ate before going to bed, was to 'put her in a bubble'. This morning I had to wake her up, but it was very easy. I don't know if it was the bubble or what. But I am so happy she slept well, for not one, but two nights in a row!