Night Terrors vs Nightmares: What's the Difference? | Parenting Hub
Night terrors and nightmares look different and need different responses. How to tell them apart, what to do in the moment, and when to seek help.
Night terrors look frightening but are usually harmless. Nightmares are different and need comfort. Here's how to tell them apart and respond to each.
What's the difference?
They happen at different stages of sleep and look quite different.
- Night terrors: happen in deep (non-REM) sleep, usually in the first 1–3 hours of the night. Child screams, thrashes, looks afraid, eyes may be open but they aren't really awake. No memory of it in the morning.
- Nightmares: happen in REM sleep, usually in the second half of the night. Child wakes upset, can be comforted, and often remembers the dream.
What to do during a night terror
The child isn't awake — don't try to wake them.
- Stay close and keep them safe from falling or hitting things
- Don't try to hold, restrain or wake them — it usually makes it worse
- Speak quietly and calmly; the episode usually ends within 5–15 minutes
- Settle them back into bed once it passes
What to do after a nightmare
Comfort first, then settle back to sleep.
- Cuddle and reassure — they may want to talk about it briefly
- Use a night light if the dark feels scary
- Keep the response calm and short to make sleep easier to fall back into
- Talk about the dream in daylight if it's bothering them — not at bedtime
What helps prevent both
Both are more common when sleep is broken or pressure is high.
- Consistent bedtime and enough total sleep
- Calm wind-down — no screens for an hour before bed
- Avoid scary stories or shows in the evening
- Address overtiredness — it's a major trigger for night terrors
When to see a doctor
See your GP if night terrors happen most nights, last longer than 30 minutes, your child hurts themselves, or you suspect sleep apnoea (snoring, gasping, pauses).
When to seek urgent care
Episodes with stiffness, jerking, eye-rolling, or loss of bladder control may be seizures, not night terrors — seek same-day medical assessment.
When to seek help
- Repetitive jerking or stiffening
- Loss of bladder control during episode
- Loud snoring, gasping, or breathing pauses
- Frequent episodes injuring the child
Common questions
At what age do night terrors usually stop?
Most children outgrow them by age 5–7. They're more common when overtired or unwell.
Should I wake my child during a night terror?
No — waking usually makes the episode longer and more upsetting. Keep them safe and wait for it to pass.