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My 5 year old daughter sleep walks at night. She will also talk to us if we say something, but then has no recollection of it in the morning. She will just walk around and eventually go back to bed. Anyone else’s child do this? Should I be concerned?


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  • My daughter does this, it is a worry especially when we have a queenslander with stairs.


  • I haven’t experienced this and would find it both fascinating and a little worrying. I hope all goes well.


  • Sleep walking happens in healthy children and is not usually related to significant emotional or psychological problems. Nearly one child in three will at some stage wake from their sleep during the night and walk around the house while still being asleep. Sleep walking commonly occurs between the ages of 4-8 years – children usually outgrow it. Make sure that your home is safe and secure and that your child has a regular sleep routine.
    Often there is a family history of night terrors or sleep walking. Episodes may become worse with illness and fevers, or if your child becomes very worried about something. Sleep walking happens in healthy children and usually does not indicate significant emotional or psychological problems.
    *Keep the house safe – lock windows and doors, and clear the bedroom of objects they can step on or trip over.
    *Maintain a regular sleep schedule with a good bedtime routine. Children can sleepwalk more if they are too tired.
    *Stay calm and gently redirect your child back to bed when they have finished what they are doing.
    *Don’t make a big fuss about sleep walking the next day unless your child asks. Children and siblings often become upset by your reaction and may become anxious about going to bed.
    *Sleep walking does not have any long-term effects. Most children grow out of sleep-walking as their sleep patterns mature.
    You may need to see your doctor for further treatment if: If the sleepwalking is disturbing the family’s night-time sleep or if your child is very sleepy during the day.


  • mom176887 has given a great answer.
    Safety first and consulting with GP is wise.


  • As far as the sleepwalking itself goes I think they recommend locking external doors etc. and making sure that the sleepwalker can’t hurt themselves while in their state. That is probably the main concern. If you want to find out why they sleepwalk maybe a GP can help? )In adults it can sometimes be caused by stress and sleep deprivation with irregular sleep schedules etc. which I guess are things to be concerned about too if they were factors in this case)


  • My daughter used to do this at the same age. It didn’t last long, she soon out grew it


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