What to Do if Your Child Is Sleepwalking

If you grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons, the term “sleepwalking” may conjure some entertaining images. Tom and Jerry, The Smurfs, Rocco’s Modern World – many of our favorites made us laugh with the silly antics of a sleepwalking character. You know … the zombie-like walk, eyeballs replaced with hypnotic swirls, maybe someone eating a comically large chicken drumstick by the glow of the refrigerator light. What a hoot!

Of course, if you’re a parent trying to keep tabs on your sleepwalking child, you know that this disorder isn’t all that funny in real life. In fact, sleepwalking can affect your child’s health and quality of life – and your own if you’re losing sleep trying to keep your little one safely tucked in bed.

Know this: you’re not alone. Sleepwalking is more common in kids than adults, and as many as 15% of children will experience sleepwalking sometime before puberty. Understanding more about how and why sleepwalking affects kids – and how you can help – can go a long way in ensuring that everyone in your home gets the sleep they need.

It sounds pretty obvious, right? Sleepwalking = walking in your sleep. That’s certainly true, but it can also refer to other behaviors.

Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, is a disruptive sleep-related disorder that usually occurs within the first couple of hours after falling asleep. Has your sleepy kid ever urinated somewhere strange, like in their closet? Or, have they woken up, gotten dressed in school clothes and fallen back asleep with no memory of it the next morning? Sleepwalking is likely the culprit.

Essentially, any time your child performs an activity after falling asleep (eyes open but seemingly in a daze) and they have no memory of it, it’s probably sleepwalking. Additional sleepwalking symptoms include:

• Sitting up in bed and/rubbing their eyes
• Talking in their sleep
• Having eyes open but a blank or unfocused expression
• Acting extremely disoriented when awakened

It can be tough to pinpoint what exactly is causing your kid to sleepwalk at night, and often it can be a combination of several factors. Common sleepwalking causes are:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Mild illnesses/fevers
• Full bladder/potty-training troubles

Your child may be more prone to sleepwalk if they are in an unfamiliar place (like a hotel or a relative’s house) or if their routine is otherwise disturbed. Sometimes sleepwalking can indicate something else is going in, such as a head injury, migraines, night terrors or another sleep disorder. Other times, sleepwalking is simply hereditary. 

Sleepwalking can seem alarming, but it’s typically not dangerous on its own. The main concern is the potential for accidental injury while your child is up and moving without being fully awake. They might trip over furniture, attempt to go down stairs or even open doors without realizing it.

While rare, more complex or frequent episodes could be a sign of an underlying sleep issue or even contribute to daytime tiredness. It's a good idea to talk to your pediatrician if your child:

• Gets frequently injured at night
• Exhibits dangerous behaviors like leaving the house or getting in the car while sleepwalking
• Sleepwalks more in the second half of the night
• Is still sleepwalking regularly in their teen years
• Gives you any concern that there is an underlying medical issue at play

In most cases, though, sleepwalking is harmless and temporary. With a few safety precautions in place like using gates, locking exterior doors and keeping the floor clear, your child can sleepwalk safely while outgrowing the behavior over time.

Here are some of the most common concerns parents have about sleepwalking, answered with simple, practical guidance.

Yes, many children naturally outgrow sleepwalking as their nervous system matures. It’s most common between the ages of 4 and 8, and tends to happen less frequently (or stop altogether) by the teen years. While some kids may continue to sleepwalk into adolescence or adulthood, it's usually nothing to worry about unless the episodes are frequent or disruptive.

It’s usually best not to wake a sleepwalking child. Waking them can lead to confusion, disorientation or even agitation. Instead, gently guide them back to bed with minimal interaction. Most children will settle back into sleep without remembering the episode in the morning.

It can be. While sleepwalking is most often linked to genetics or immature sleep cycles, stress and anxiety may increase the likelihood or frequency of episodes. Big life changes, disrupted routines or lack of sleep can all be contributing factors. If you suspect stress might be playing a role, try incorporating calming bedtime routines and talk to your child about how they’re feeling. And, on that note ...

While sleepwalking often doesn’t require medical attention, it’s still a condition that can rob your child of the healthy sleep they need to thrive. There’s no tried-and-true cure for sleepwalking, but you can take steps to promote quality, restorative sleep. Here are a few tips worth trying.

Some pediatricians and sleep coaches recommend this sleepwalking treatment. Simply spend a week or two recording the time between when your child falls asleep and when they begin sleepwalking. Then start lightly rousing them about 15 minutes before they typically start sleepwalking. No need to fully wake them – just disturb their sleep enough that they stir a little. In some cases, this stops sleepwalking altogether.

Since a full bladder can cause sleepwalking, try limiting your child’s liquid intake in the evening and always encourage them to use the bathroom before bed. Additionally, there are many kid-friendly foods that promote sleep, such as bananas and plain yogurt, as well as foods to avoid before bed. Keep this in mind when planning dinners and bedtime snacks.

Consistency is key when kids are learning to recognize their own body’s sleep-readiness signs. You can encourage them by creating a bedtime routine that eases them through the transition from day to night with tangible milestones like a snack, a bath and a bedtime story. If stress or anxiety is an issue, consider adding some meditation or calming music to the routine.

In addition to safety-proofing your child’s room for sleepwalking hazards, you can also adjust the space to promote healthier sleep. Regulate the light with blinds or drapes, keep the room well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature and consider a little help from a white noise machine or lavender essential oil diffuser. Comfortable, organic bedding helps, too!

Sleepwalking can cause a lot of stress for parents and kids, but try to remember that it’s fairly common and usually not a cause for major concern. And, despite the worry, sometimes it can make you chuckle like the old cartoons. So, be prepared and mindful, but also try to keep your own stress over the issue in check. Here’s to better sleep for all!