How Do You Comfort A Child After A Nightmare?
Nightmares are a natural part of a child’s growth and development. They happen during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase of a sleep cycle. For children, it could happen more frequently, making them feel scared and lonely. But comforting and reassurance from parents will help them overcome the anxiety and fear associated with nightmares. Comfort the child by holding him. Reassure him that it is okay to feel scared and everyone has dreams and nightmares that are upsetting. Your calm presence will help strengthen the child’s sense of security. Ensure that nightmares are not real. Soothe him by saying that it is over and the nightmares cannot hurt him. Children can pick up stress from parents’ voices. Use a calm tone to console the child. Familiarize him with his favorite objects in his room. This will help him differentiate between reality and dreams. Offer the child a security object to hold which will help a smooth transition back to sleep. It could be a blanket, pillow, a stuffed toy o
