Nightmares and Fevers in Toddlers
Toddlers with a mild to moderate fever often experience sleep disturbances. Fevers can cause your child to have both nightmares and night terrors, but the latter are slightly more common in children around ages 4 or 5 years than in toddlers 234.
Toddlers with a mild to moderate fever often experience sleep disturbances. Fevers can cause your child to have both nightmares and night terrors, but the latter are slightly more common in children around ages 4 or 5 years than in toddlers 2⭐
⭐This is a verified and trusted source ⭐This is a verified and trusted source ⭐This is a verified and trusted sourceWomen's and Children's Health Network - Child and Youth Health: Nightmares
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The Children's Hospital at Westmead; Nightmares and Night Terrors; Sept. 2008
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Healthy Children; Nightmares and Night Terrors; Nov. 2010
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Fever Side Effect
Your toddler's fever could cause her to experience nightmares or night terrors 4⭐
⭐This is a verified and trusted sourceHealthy Children; Nightmares and Night Terrors; Nov. 2010
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Reducing a Fever
If your toddler has a fever of 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, Dr. Larissa Hirsch with KidsHealth recommends you call your doctor for an appointment or take your child to the emergency room. If your toddler has a fever below this temperature, still has an appetite and still appears alert, try some home treatment to reduce his fever and ward off fever-related nightmares. Never give fever-reducing medicines to your toddler without first asking your doctor. Instead, use lukewarm water to give your toddler a sponge bath. Dress him in light pajamas and cover him with a light sheet. Keep your child hydrated and rested.
Other Causes of Nightmares and Night Terrors
Several factors can make a fever-related nightmare or night terror worse or more likely to occur. Inconsistent sleep schedules or a lack of rest, especially when your toddler has a fever, increases the likelihood of her experiencing night terrors. Nightmares, on the other hand, typically originate from fears acquired during waking hours. If your child sees something scary on television, had a bad experience at school prior to getting sick or has a recurring phobia, the risk of her having a nightmare during her fever increases.
Reducing Nightmares and Night Terrors
Keeping your toddler on a normal sleep schedule prevents night terrors most consistently, during times of health and sickness. Make sure your toddler gets extra rest when he has a fever to prevent most of the fatigue associated with night terror episodes. Reducing nightmares proves more difficult since each nightmare has its roots in a specific fear. The Children's Hospital at Westmead suggests spending calm time with your child before bed 3⭐
⭐This is a verified and trusted sourceThe Children's Hospital at Westmead; Nightmares and Night Terrors; Sept. 2008
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- "The Toddler Owner's Manual"; Brett R. Kuhn, et al.; Quirk Books; 2005
- Women's and Children's Health Network - Child and Youth Health: Nightmares
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead; Nightmares and Night Terrors; Sept. 2008
- Healthy Children; Nightmares and Night Terrors; Nov. 2010
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation: Treating Fever
- Kids Health: Fever and Taking Your Child's Temperature; Larissa Hirsch; Aug. 2009
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- Oleg Kozlov/iStock/Getty Images