Nightmares at what age

At what age do you think children start having nightmares. I am asking because DS is 18 months and for the past few day has woken up at least 3-7 times a night calling for me and trying to get into my bed. When I put him back in his bed he waits for me to get into my bed and comes right back out screaming like I have never head before.
Some other info he is getting his 2 year molars and has a very strict routine sleeping at 730 up usually between 645-730 and naps the same time everyday 1130.
I just dont want to be a mean mommy and force him into his bed if he is afraid.

TIA

Re: Nightmares at what age

Charlie just went through this for about 2 months. I would let him come into my bed EVERY night at 4 am. He would wake up screaming, but not really fully awake. The pediatrician said it's important not to ignore him and to comfort him. The past 3 nights he has been in his bed and hasn't woken up so I think it's over for now. It's important to realize that night TERRORS are later on in the late night 3-4 am and they remember them. Nightmares are early like 9-10 and they shouldn't remember them.

Re: Nightmares at what age

Bump for anyone else...

Re: Nightmares at what age

DS didn't have bad dreams til he was a few months shy of 3. I thought someone had told me that kids didn't dream before around that age, but I or they could have made that up I would tend to believe it could be moreof being afraid of the dark or something like that. DS started having fears around the age of your DC, if I remember correctly, but it did pass. Maybe the molars are waking him and then he gets afraid of the dark or just needs to make sure you are there or something?