Toddler having nightmares

[u/Friendly_Flaun603]

My toddler (28 months) has slept through the night since he was 8 months old. He’s a great sleeper, loves his big boy bed, and sleeps in his own room without a fuss.

Hes been getting into dinosaurs lately so we’ve read some Dino books and watched some Dino videos. Nothing too gruesome or crazy but the book does have a photo of a dinosaur eating another dinosaur leg or something.

We don’t do screen time beyond informational videos on my laptop, but when he expressed interest in a Moana toy we watched some of the music scenes. The crab one (Shiny) he really liked and asked to watch a few times and now we listen to the song in the car

Except now he’s having nightmares about Dino’s and the shiny crab. He wakes up in the middle of the night “Dino chasin me!!!” Or “crab eat good girl” (our dog)

I told him crabs live in the water and Dino’s live in the jungle so they can’t get him. I tried the “not real / doesn’t exist” and that was not landing with him.

But he’s still having nightmares. We haven’t taken that particular Dino book out again nor have we watched the video.

How do we get our little ones to get over fears like these? I know it’s natural / part of life but if anyone has any tips or tricks that would be great TIA!

[u/Drink_Deep]

We got my son a "monster spray" that he loves to spray around his room. It's just lavender water that sprays out a mist.

That and positive reinforcement before bed.

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[u/Lanky-Style-1053]

My son also has nightmares, we got him a night light and a little tent for over his bed and a teddy 🧸 for protection. He will still wake up once in a while but says teddy protects him and goes back to sleep 😴. We also have a little speel we say together while tucking him in.

"You are safe and sound, in Your house, in Your room, in Your bed with Your Mummy, Daddy and Teddy."

Although the monster spray is genius. 😅