Parasomnias in Children: Night Terrors, Nightmares and More
If your child suddenly sits up screaming, talks nonsense, looks right through you, or seems terrified but will not settle, it can be deeply unsettling as a parent. Many families worry something is wrong, when in fact they may be seeing a parasomnia.
Parasomnias are sleep related events that happen during the night, they can look dramatic, but they are often developmentally normal in toddlers and young children. The key is understanding what type you are seeing, what usually triggers it, how to respond in the moment, and when to seek extra support.
This blog covers the most common parasomnias, including night terrors, nightmares, confusional arousals, sleepwalking, and sleep talking, plus practical strategies to support your child’s sleep safely.
What are parasomnias?
Parasomnias are unusual behaviours, emotions, movements, or experiences that occur during sleep or during the transition between sleep and wake.
They are not usually a sign of poor parenting, and they are not always linked to trauma or anxiety. Many occur because a child’s brain is still maturing and can get stuck between sleep stages.
Parasomnias are more common in toddlerhood and early childhood, which is also when sleep can be impacted by big emotional development, boundaries, and new fears.
If bedtime is becoming a battle alongside overnight events, you may also find Bedtime Battles helpful once live.
Why parasomnias happen
Parasomnias often occur when the brain partially wakes during the night but does not fully transition into wakefulness. Instead, the body may move or react while the child remains mostly asleep.
Common triggers include:
overtiredness and inconsistent sleep schedules
illness, fever, congestion, pain
big days, overstimulation, travel, disrupted routines
developmental leaps and emotional load
sleeping in a new environment
genetic tendency, parasomnias can run in families
If sleep has been unsettled during sickness, see Illness and Sleep. If discomfort is the bigger driver, see Teething and Sleep.
Understanding sleep stages, and why it matters
Different parasomnias happen in different parts of the night.
Early night events are more likely to be night terrors or confusional arousals, because deep sleep is heavier in the first third of the night.
Later night events are more likely to be nightmares, because dream sleep increases toward the early morning hours.
Knowing the timing helps you work out what you are dealing with.
Confusional arousals
What it looks like
Your child may:
sit up, cry, whinge, or look upset
seem confused, glassy eyed, or not fully present
push you away, or become more distressed when you try to cuddle
settle eventually, then have no memory the next day
When it happens
Most often in the first part of the night, usually within a few hours of falling asleep.
What causes it
Often linked to overtiredness, disrupted sleep, illness, or big days.
What to do in the moment
keep the room dim and quiet
use minimal interaction, calm voice, simple reassurance
avoid lots of questions, avoid turning on bright lights
do not try to fully wake them, it usually makes it worse
focus on safety, gentle guidance back to lying down if needed
Night terrors
What it looks like
Night terrors can look intense. Your child may:
scream or cry suddenly
have a panicked look, sweaty, rapid breathing
thrash, kick, sit up, or try to get out of bed
seem terrified but not recognise you
be impossible to comfort
settle abruptly and return to sleep
have no memory in the morning
When it happens
Usually in the first third of the night, often 1 to 3 hours after falling asleep.
What causes it
Night terrors are more common when:
your child is overtired
bedtime is too late
naps are off
they are unwell or have a fever
sleep has been fragmented for a while
Sometimes the biggest improvement comes from a steadier routine and earlier bedtime.
If routine timing is a question, see your age based routine blog and When to Decrease Awake Windows if they are suddenly struggling to make it through the day.
What to do in the moment
keep them safe, do not restrain, but prevent injury
stay calm, keep your voice low and steady
do not try to reason, they are not fully awake
avoid fully waking them unless safety requires it
wait it out, most episodes pass within minutes
Nightmares
What it looks like
Nightmares are different to night terrors. Your child may:
wake fully and call for you
be scared and want comfort
be able to talk about the dream
remember it the next day
When it happens
More commonly in the second half of the night, closer to morning.
What causes it
Nightmares are often linked to:
imagination growth
emotional processing
scary media, even things that seem harmless
stress, change, or new fears
Nightmares often overlap with Fear of the Dark, especially in the 2 to 4 year stage.
What to do in the moment
reassure them, they are safe
keep the interaction calm and brief
avoid long conversations that fully wake them
return them to bed with consistent cues
if fear becomes a nightly pattern, support it proactively at bedtime
Sleepwalking and sleep talking
Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking usually happens during deep sleep, often early in the night.
Most children are not aware, and they usually do not remember it. It can look like wandering, trying to open doors, mumbling, or doing odd tasks.
Safety is the priority. If your child is sleepwalking, review the room setup and household safety. The Toddler Environment blog will be your best internal link here once it is live.
Sleep talking
Sleep talking is very common and usually harmless. It can happen at any time during the night and does not always mean your child is distressed.
If sleep talking comes with frequent waking and distress, look at the bigger sleep picture, including Why Is My Child Waking Frequently once live.
How to reduce parasomnias
You cannot always prevent them, but you can reduce triggers.
Prioritise a consistent sleep schedule
Parasomnias flare when children are overtired or routine is inconsistent. A predictable bedtime and stable wake time helps regulate deep sleep.
Protect sleep on big days and daycare days
Overstimulation and late bedtimes can increase events. If needed, use an earlier bedtime after busy days, illness, or travel.
Support illness proactively
Fever and congestion can increase parasomnias. During sickness, focus on comfort and recovery, then reset routine gently after. See Illness and Sleep.
Create a safe sleep environment
If your child sleepwalks, climbs, or thrashes, you need a safety plan, including childproofing doors, keeping floors clear, and reviewing bed setup.
For room setup guidance, link to Safe Sleep Guidelines for younger children, and Toddler Environment for older ones once live.
When to seek extra support
It is worth speaking with your GP if:
episodes are frequent, long, or escalating
your child is injured or at risk of injury
sleepwalking is unsafe or involves leaving the room
your child snores loudly, gasps, or has breathing pauses
you suspect seizures, or the episodes look unusual
daytime behaviour is significantly affected by poor sleep
you feel worried, even if you cannot put your finger on why
If you are seeing red flags in younger babies, also review Newborn Sleep Red Flags.
Looking ahead
Parasomnias can feel intense, but they are often a stage that improves as your child’s nervous system matures and sleep becomes more regulated. The most helpful foundations are consistent routines, balanced sleep pressure, and a safe sleep environment, plus calm, predictable responses when episodes occur.
If you want step by step support through toddler sleep challenges, including fears, parasomnias, bedtime resistance, and overnight waking, the 2 to 4 year Toddler Course walks you through practical strategies that actually fit real family life.
If you want guidance that spans both baby and toddler stages, the Infant and Toddler Bundle gives you long term support across regressions, nap transitions, settling, and the bigger toddler years, so you always know what to do next.
Eva Beke
Certified Paediatric Sleep Consultant
Founder The Sleepy Little Bubs
I’m Eva Beke, a certified baby and toddler sleep consultant and founder of The Sleepy Little Bubs, supporting families across Australia and the world with evidence based baby and toddler sleep support.
My approach is realistic, supportive, and designed to evolve as your child grows, so you’re not just getting help for today, but confidence moving forward.
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