Sleepwalking in Kids- Causes, Symptoms and Remedies by Dr. Srikanta J T

Sleepwalking occurs in healthy children. It usually happens in the early stages of sleep. Sleepwalking, contrary to its name, entails more than just walking. Sleepwalking behaviors can range from innocuous actions such as simply sitting up, to potentially dangerous actions such as wandering inside and outside the house. During this time, some children engage in inappropriate behavior, such as opening a closet door and peeing inside.

Causes of Sleepwalking in Kids

There could be many causes for sleepwalking in kids:

• The most common cause of sleepwalking is genetic or hereditary, that is, a parent or grandparent might also have a habit of sleepwalking.
• Some medications taken for other medical conditions are known to cause sleepwalking.
• If your child has enlarged tonsils or adenoids, it can cause sleepwalking.
• Some sleeping disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, can also cause sleepwalking.
• Other reasons include Anxiety, Stress, Having a full bladder and Noise, light, or another such uncomfortable sleeping environment.

[Read: Delayed Bladder Control In A Child (Enuresis)]

What are the Symptoms of Sleepwalking in Kids?

While people assume that sleepwalking means actual “walking” around the house or moving from one room to another, in reality, it might not be so explicit. Some common symptoms of sleepwalking in kids are:

• The child gets up from sleep 2-3 hours after falling asleep, and suddenly sits up on the bed or starts to walk. Although the child is “up”, in reality, you can see that the child is clearly in sleep.
• Your child’s eyes might be either open or closed.
• Your child will be confused or disoriented if suddenly woken up.
• The child might speak in a blurred, unambiguous way.

[Read : Depression In Children ]

Is it Ok to Wake a Sleepwalking Child?

Many people believe that it is dangerous to wake a sleepwalking child. This is not true. But while it is not dangerous, it is not advised as well. This is because a sleepwalking child is actually in deep sleep and if you wake them up midway, they will feel pretty confused and disoriented. So waking them up midway won’t be a fun experience. Instead, it is much better for everyone if you guide the sleepwalking child back to bed.

How to Treat Sleepwalking in Kids?

If you suspect your child is sleepwalking, talk to the pediatrician. Usually, the doctor will be able to diagnose the condition by hearing your account of what happened. Mostly, no treatment is advised. However, the doctor might try to find the root cause for sleepwalking. If there is any underlying medical condition that is causing your child to sleepwalk, then that condition might be treated. The doctor might also suggest a sleep study to rule out problems such as sleep apnea.

Sometimes, doctors might suggest a course called “scheduled awakening”. In this, you will be asked to monitor your child’s sleepwalking patterns and note down the time when the sleepwalking usually starts. Once you get a hang of the timing, you will have to wake your child 15 minutes before the time sleepwalking usually starts. This will reset your child’s sleep cycle and reduce sleepwalking.

How to Prevent Sleepwalking in Kids?

One of the best ways to prevent sleepwalking in kids is to help them develop good sleeping habits. A good relaxation routine will increase the chances of your child sleeping through the night. Here are some ways to build a routine:

• Make sure your child sleeps (or goes to bed) at the same time everyday.
• Build a good sleep routine that is relaxing. It include a warm bath, a short story, and even some soothing music.
• The room in which the child sleeps needs to be dark and quiet, and the bedding soft and comfortable.
• Adjust the air conditioning so that the temperature of the house is neither too cold nor too hot.
• Make sure your kid does not drink too much liquids post late evening so that they will not be disturbed by a full bladder.
• Ensure no caffeine or sugar is consumed during dinner time.
• Ensure that your child is away from all stressful conditions that may have triggered sleepwalking in your kid.
• Take care that your kid gets sufficient sleep in the night.

[Read : Let’s cope with kids’ stress]

What are Some of the Precautions to Take if Your Kid is Sleepwalking?

Consider doing the following if your child is prone to sleepwalking:

• Lock the doors and windows of the room where your child sleeps.
• Remove any items such as toys from the floor that can be a tripping hazard.
• Remove sharp objects from the room to avoid accidents.
• If you have bunk bed for your kids, make sure your sleepwalking child doesn’t sleep on the top bunk.
• Fix safety gates near stairways.
• Do not keep objects that can break in your child’s room.
• Consider installing sensor alarms on the doors.

If you have any other concerns or are very anxious, please consult your child’s doctor.

As a parent, it can be very intimidating to know that you have a kid who is sleepwalking. But remember, it is completely natural and your child will get over it as s/he grows up. So just stay positive so that you can support your child to grow out of this without worrying or putting any kind of pressure on them.

Have any of you gone through this situation? Share in the comments section below if your child walks in their sleep and the measures you have taken to help them overcome this condition.

FAQ’s

1. At What Age Do Children Stop Sleepwalking?

It really depends on the child. This habit is more common among children between the ages of 4 and 8. They will mostly outgrow it as they grow older.

2. Could My Child be Stressed About Something, to Sleepwalk?

It is a possibility. Anxiety and stress interferes with sleep. If your child has had a stressful day, it could trigger sleepwalking. Get into a soothing bedtime routine to calm your child down before bed.

3. Should I Consult a Doctor for My Child’s Sleepwalking?

Observe your child. If it has become a routine, yes you need to. If it was just a one off episode, there is nothing to worry about.

4. Can a Sleep Therapist Help My Child’s Sleepwalking?

Yes, they can. These are doctors who specialize in sleep related issues. Your pediatrician will be able to guide you.

Read Also: Insomnia in Children: Causes and Treatment