This Causes Children Sleep Walking and How To Overcome It

2023 Author: Autumn Gilbert | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:39

Sleepwalking is often experienced by children. In fact, this sleep disorder is more common in children than adults. Is this condition reasonable? Let's find out the causes of sleepwalking children and how to overcome them

Sleep walking or somnabulism (sleepwalking) in children is a condition in which a child walks or performs activities while sleeping. This condition is more common in children aged 4−8 years.

In addition to walking while sleeping, children who experience somnambulism can do other things unconsciously while sleeping, such as opening the door, turning the faucet, to turning on the television. Usually this condition will go away on its own when the child grows up to be a teenager or adult.

Sleep Walk in Children and its Causes

Sleepwalking belongs to a type of sleep disorder known as parasomnia, which is abnormal behavior when a person sleeps. Parasomnias occur at the time line between wakefulness and sleep. Because of this, children usually don't remember what they did during sleepwalking.

The cause of sleepwalking is not known for certain. However, there are several things that can increase the risk of this condition, including:

Genetic factor

Various research shows that genetic or hereditary factors play a role in making children experience sleepwalking disorders. The research states that children who have parents or siblings with a history of sleepwalking are more at risk of experiencing the same thing.

Insufficient sleep quality and hours

Having an irregular sleep pattern can reduce a child's sleep quality and hours. This can cause the child to be sleep deprived. Mothers and Fathers need to know that sleep deprivation habits or frequent disturbed sleep can increase the risk of children experiencing sleepwalking.

Stressed or anxious

Psychological disorders, such as excessive stress or anxiety, can also increase a child's risk for sleepwalking disorders. In addition to sleepwalking disorders, children who experience these psychological problems can also experience other sleep problems, such as frequent nightmares or night terrors.

Side effects of certain medications

The use of drugs with sedative effects, such as sedatives or anxiety relievers and panic attacks, can cause side effects in the form of sleepwalking disorders. Usually children will stop having sleepwalking disorders when the drug is stopped.

Sleepwalking will usually start 1 or 2 hours after the child has fallen asleep. Sleep walking duration generally doesn't last long, Bun, which only lasts for 5 to 15 minutes.

Is it Dangerous for a Sleepwalking Child?

Actually, sleepwalking is not a condition to worry about because generally this sleep disorder can go away on its own as the child gets older or when the child grows up. However, in some cases, these complaints can continue into adulthood.

In addition, sleepwalking children rarely do dangerous activities during sleepwalking. It's just that, because sleepwalking is done unconsciously, what is worried about is the destination when sleepwalking.

Children who sleepwalk may open doors or windows without realizing it, then go up or down stairs. Doing so can endanger the safety of the child and cause injury.

Therefore, what needs to be a concern for Mom and Dad is the safety of the Little One's bedroom. If he has trouble sleeping walking, Mom and Dad also need to take care and monitor his condition while sleeping.

How to Overcome Sleepwalking Children

Although sleepwalking is something that is quite often experienced by children and is usually harmless, it doesn't mean that Mom and Dad can be careless, right. If your child experiences sleepwalking, there are several ways that can be done to overcome the problem, namely:

1. Guiding the child to go back to sleep

When your little one sleeps walking, don't panic and immediately wake him up. Guide him back to his bed by speaking softly and directing him slowly.

If your little one is not in a dangerous condition, you don't need to wake him up by shouting, because this will only make him shocked, scared, or even traumatized. Your little one may also find it difficult to go back to sleep.

2. Ensure the safety of the children's room

As described above, sleepwalking disorders can cause injury to children. To avoid this, make sure your little one's bedroom is safe.

Mom and Dad might be able to move the Little One's room to the ground floor, if the room is currently upstairs. Also keep dangerous objects from around where your little one sleeps, for example sharp objects or piles of toys that can trip him up.

Also, make sure to lock the bedroom windows. If possible, set an alarm on the bed or bedroom door that can notify Mom and Dad when your little one gets out of bed or leaves the room.

3. Make a regular child's sleep pattern

One possibility that can cause a child to experience sleepwalking is lack of sleep. Therefore, to reduce the risk of this happening, make it a habit for your little one to sleep regularly.

Schedule him for regular naps and nights. Besides being able to reduce the risk of sleepwalking, getting enough and quality sleep is also very good for the growth process, Bun. Remember, the ideal sleep time for children aged 6–12 is approximately 9 to 12 hours.

4. Do calming activities before bed

Inviting your little one to do activities that calm his mood before bed, such as listening to music together or reading a fairy tale, might help reduce the stress and anxiety he feels before bed. This can also reduce the child's risk of sleepwalking.

In addition, creating a comfortable room by setting a cool room temperature and dimming the room lights can also make your little one sleep more soundly.

Well, that's a variety of information about the causes of sleepwalking children and how to deal with it that parents need to know.

If the methods above have been done but have not been able to reduce sleepwalking disorders in your little one, or this sleep disorder occurs often enough to make him very sleepy during the day, Mom and Dad need to check your little one to the doctor.

If possible, Mom and Dad can make notes about your little one's sleep schedule and when he usually does sleepwalking, at least a few weeks before going to the doctor. This record can make it easier for doctors to find out the cause and provide the right treatment.