Is Sleepwalking Harmful? Most sleepwalkers don't sleepwalk often, so its not usually a serious problem. However, sleepwalking episodes can be hazardous when they're frequent or intense. Why? Because a sleepwalking child isn't awake and may not realize what he or she is doing, such as walking down stairs or opening windows. Sleepwalking is not usually a sign that something is emotionally or Psychologically wrong with a child.
And it doesn't cause any emotional harm. Sleepwalkers tend to go back to bed on their own and probably wont even remember the nighttime stroll.
What Can I Do to Keep My Child Safe?
Although sleepwalking isn't dangerous by itself, its 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).
These simple steps can help keep your young sleepwalker out of harms way:
* Dont awaken your sleepwalker because this might scare your child. Instead, gently guide him or her back to bed.
* Lock the windows and doors, not just in your child's bedroom but throughout your home, in case your young sleepwalker decides to wander. You may consider extra locks or child safety locks on doors. Keys should be kept 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 childs bed.
* Keep dangerous objects out of reach.
* Remove obstacles from your childs room and throughout your home to prevent a stumble.
Especially eliminate clutter on the floor (i.e., in your childs bedroom or playroom).
What Else Can I Do to Help My Child?
Unless the episodes are very regular or your child is repeatedly engaging in dangerous sleepwalking behaviors, there's no reason to treat sleepwalking. But if the sleepwalking is frequent or your child hasn't outgrown it by the early teen years, talk to your childs doctor.
For kids who sleepwalk often, doctors may recommend a treatment called scheduled awakening. This disrupts the sleep cycle enough to help stop sleepwalking. In rare cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to help a child sleep.
Other things you can do to help minimize your childs sleepwalking episodes:
* Establish a regular sleep and nap schedule and stick to it both nighttime and wake-up time.
* Make your childs bedtime earlier. This can improve excessive sleepiness.
* Dont let your child drink a lot in the evening and be sure your child goes to the bathroom before going to bed. (A full bladder can contribute to sleepwalking.)
*Avoid caffeine near bedtime.
* Make sure your childs bedroom is quiet, cozy, and conducive to Sleeping. Keep noise to a minimum while your child is trying to sleep (at bedtime and naptime). The next time your child is wandering about in the middle of the night, dont panic.
Simply manoeuvre your child back to the safety and comfort of him or her bed. Then you can both probably have a good laugh about it in the morning.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited