[Skip to Content]

Also called: Somnambulism

What Is Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking is very common in kids. Most kids who walk in their sleep do so only occasionally and outgrow it by the teen years.

Kids tend to sleepwalk within an hour or two of falling asleep and may walk around for anywhere from a few seconds to 30 minutes. It's hard to wake a sleepwalker. When awakened, they might feel groggy and disoriented for a few minutes.

What Happens During Sleepwalking?

Despite its name, sleepwalking involves more than just walking. Sleepwalking behaviors can be:

  • harmless — like sitting up
  • potentially dangerous — such as wandering outside
  • inappropriate — like opening a closet door and peeing inside

Getting out of bed and walking around while still sleeping is the most obvious sleepwalking symptom. But young sleepwalkers may also:

  • talk in their sleep
  • be hard to wake up
  • seem dazed
  • be clumsy
  • not respond when spoken to
  • sit up in bed and go through repeated motions, such as rubbing their eyes or fussing with their pajamas

Also, sleepwalkers' eyes are open, but they don't see the same way they do when they're awake. Often, they think they're in different rooms of the house or different places altogether.

After sleepwalking episodes, they probably won't remember ever having done it.

What Causes Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking is far more common in kids than in adults. It may run in families, so if you or your partner are or were sleepwalkers, your child may be too.

Things that may bring on a sleepwalking episode include:

  • lack of sleep or being very tired
  • irregular sleep schedules
  • illness or fever
  • some medicines
  • stress

Sometimes, these other conditions may happen with sleepwalking:

Is Sleepwalking Harmful?

Sleepwalking itself is not harmful. But sleepwalking can be hazardous because sleepwalking kids aren't awake and may not realize what they're doing, such as walking down stairs or opening windows. 

Sleepwalking usually isn't a sign that a child has an emotional or psychological issue. And it doesn't cause any emotional harm. Sleepwalkers probably won't even remember the nighttime stroll.

How to Keep a Sleepwalker Safe

Sleepwalking isn't dangerous by itself. But it's important to take precautions so that your sleepwalking child is less likely to fall down, run into something, walk out the front door, or drive (if your teen is a sleepwalker).

To help keep your sleepwalker out of harm's way:

  • Try not to wake a sleepwalker because this might scare your child. Instead, gently guide them back to bed.
  • Lock the windows and doors in your child's bedroom and throughout your home in case your young sleepwalker wanders. You may consider extra locks or child safety locks on doors. Keep keys out of reach for kids who are old enough to drive.
  • To prevent falls, don't let your sleepwalker sleep in a bunk bed.
  • Remove sharp or breakable things from around your child's bed.
  • Keep dangerous objects out of reach.
  • Remove obstacles from your child's room and throughout your home to prevent a stumble. Get rid of clutter on the floor (in your child's bedroom or playroom).
  • Install safety gates outside your child's room and/or at the top of any stairs.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

There's usually no need to treat sleepwalking unless the episodes:

  • are very regular
  • cause your child to be sleepy during the day
  • involve dangerous behaviors

If the sleepwalking happens often, causes problems, or your child hasn't outgrown it by the early teen years, talk to your doctor.

For kids who sleepwalk often, doctors may recommend a treatment called scheduled awakening. This means gently waking the child a little before their usual sleepwalking time, which can help stop sleepwalking. Rarely, doctors may prescribe medicine to aid sleep.

What Else Should I Know?

To help prevent sleepwalking episodes:

  • Have your child relax at bedtime by listening to soft music or relaxation tapes.
  • Establish a regular sleep and nap schedule and stick to it — both nighttime and wake-up time.
  • Make your child's bedtime earlier. This can improve excessive sleepiness.
  • Don't let kids drink a lot in the evening and be sure they go to the bathroom before going to bed. (A full bladder can contribute to sleepwalking.)
  • Avoid caffeine near bedtime.
  • Make sure your child's bedroom is quiet, cozy, and comfortable for sleeping. Keep the noise down while kids are trying to sleep (at bedtime and naptime).

The next time you see your nighttime wanderer, don't panic. Just steer your child back to the safety and comfort of their bed.

Medically reviewed by: Yamini Durani, MD
Date reviewed: September 2023