Infant sleepwalking is a sleep disorder that originates during the phases of deep sleep and occurs when the child wakes up during sleep and acts as if he were awake , but without being aware of his actions. This behavior is generally harmless and most children outgrow it over time, but it can become dangerous if not watched, as the child can injure himself (for example, jumping out of bed or falling down the stairs). For this reason, in this article we tell you how you can avoid child sleepwalking.
When does infant sleepwalking occur?
Childhood sleepwalking is most often seen in children between the ages of 4 and 8 , and it usually goes away over time, although there are forms of sleepwalking in adults as well. Most sleepwalkers begin an hour or two after bedtime .
Sleepwalking episodes generally last 5 to 15 minutes. Since they remain sound asleep throughout the episode, it can be difficult to wake them up and they will probably not remember the incident.
What are the symptoms?
Sleepwalking is the most common symptom of infant sleepwalking, but there are other actions associated with this condition such as:
- Sit on the bed and repeat movements
- Running around the house
- Talk or murmur during sleep.
- Not responding when spoken to
- Making awkward movements
- Urinate in inappropriate places.
- Performing routine or repetitive behaviors, such as opening and closing doors.
On the other hand, the eyes of sleepwalkers are open, but they do not see (at least, not in the same way as when they are awake). They often think that they are in different rooms in the house, or even in other places outside of it.
Why does infant sleepwalking occur?
There are a number of factors that can contribute to childhood sleepwalking, such as lack of sleep; irregular sleeping habits; stress or anxiety ; being in a different sleep environment (for example, sleeping in someone else’s houses or traveling); have a specific illness or episodes of high fever; certain medications, including sedatives, stimulants, and antihistamines; or having a family history of sleepwalking.
How to avoid infantile sleepwalking?
Usually no need to treat sleepwalking unless the episodes are very frequent and make your child sleepy during the day or involving dangerous behavior, or if it has not passed in the early years of adolescence.
To prevent sleepwalking, doctors may recommend a treatment called timed awakening, which involves gently waking your child a little earlier than the usual time for episodes, which can help stop sleepwalking. In rare and serious cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to help you sleep.
To help prevent sleepwalking episodes, set a regular sleep schedule for your little one and stick to it. Let your child relax at bedtime by listening to soft music or relaxation tapes, and don’t let him drink a lot of fluids at night. Make sure the bedroom is quiet, cozy, and comfortable, and avoid noise.
Tips to keep your child out of danger if he is a sleepwalker
Child sleepwalking is not dangerous in itself, but it is important to take precautions so that your child is less likely to hurt himself , fall, bump into something, or walk out the front door.
- Try not to wake him up, as this could scare him and make him anxious. Instead, gently guide him back to bed.
- Lock and lock doors and windows throughout the house, especially in your child’s room, and keep keys out of their reach.
- To prevent falls, don’t let him sleep in a bunk.
- Remove sharp or brittle things from around your bed
- Keep dangerous objects – such as knives or tools – out of the reach of children.
- Eliminate possible obstacles to avoid tripping: chairs out of place, bags or suitcases on the floor, etc.
- Install safety barriers outside of your child’s room and / or at the top of any stairs.