Even though sleepwalking is generally considered harmless, a child can expose himself to serious injury. Here how to keep your sleepwalking child safe!
Parents of a child who sleepwalks can have a hard time as sleepwalking is generally unpredictable, and it is impossible to figure out when a child will have an episode. While sleepwalking itself is not harmful, a sleepwalking child can easily have a fall, get trapped in a suffocating place, or step outside the home and have an accident.
According to https://www.sleepfoundation.org, there is no cure for sleepwalking. However, the following tips to improve sleep hygiene may help:
Make sure your kid’s bedroom is dark
The best way of helping your child to get restful sleep is to keep the bedroom as dark as possible. Therefore, a dim nightlight may help to reassure the child and make it easier for parents to check on him during the night.
A sleepwalking event may last from 5 to 15 minutes, and there can be multiple episodes during a single night. All of which makes it difficult for a parent to relax knowing they have a child who is prone to sleepwalking.
Do not attempt to wake up a sleepwalking child
At first, you might want to wake up your sleepwalking child. However, it is essential not to try to do so as it can be dangerous for both the child and the parent.
A woken-up child may become disoriented, frightened, or confused. Therefore, it is better to lead him gently back to his bed.
Generally, the child will be calm, and gibberish talk may be heard on occasions. I suggest to read up on various guides on Sleepwalking – Diagnosis, Causes, and Treatment to get more information on this subject.
Install an alarm in the room
A straightforward way to know if your child opens the bedroom door to step out is by installing an alarm on the door, which sounds whenever the door is opened.
These alarms are quite cheap and can be found in all home improvement stores or on Amazon. On the other hand, you can achieve the same effect by attaching a bell to the door.
Childproof the room
Since the child can get hurt even when sleepwalking in the room, it is crucial to shift the furniture that can pose a hazard to the child. It is important not to keep furniture that can easily tip over in the room. Especially near doors and windows, or even closet doors, as a sleepwalking child may not be able to differentiate between the two.
Windows should be kept locked and mirrors attached safely to surfaces. Potentially dangerous items, breakable, and sharp objects should be removed. Also, the floor should be kept free of toys, clothing, and other things on which the child can potentially trip.
Conclusion
Fortunately, sleepwalking does not typically last for the entire duration of childhood. With a little bit of care, you should be able to ensure that your child remains safe during the time he has episodes of sleepwalking.
However, if there are other sleep issues, it may be better to consult a doctor who may refer him to a specialist in pediatric sleep disorders.