Although we would like our children to sleep all night "like babies", we already know that this is a phrase made unrealistic. It is estimated that about 30 percent of children under 5 have problems and sleep disturbances.
Sleep is a complex phenomenon, during which disorders that occur at different stages known as parasomnias.
Between the infantile parasomnias We can find pediatric insomnia, sleepwalking, talking during sleep, nightmares, night terrors, or restless legs syndrome, among others.
We will focus today on one of the most frequent, sleepwalking in children. It is believed that between 10 and 30 percent of children have sleepwalking episodes, mostly mild.
What is sleepwalking and its causes
Sleepwalking is a common disorder in children of between 4 and 8 years old.
It manifests in episodes like sitting in bed, getting out of bed, walking around the room, taking walks around the house, talking, dressing, undressing, or opening and closing doors.
The child keeps at all times the Open eyes, although he does not look the same as when he is awake and answers simple questions, but he is not aware of what he is doing.
Is a benign disorder, does not leave sequels or drift in another type of disorder, which usually occurs during first half of the night, in the phase of deep sleep. It is difficult to wake him, nor is it recommended, and upon waking up the child does not remember what has happened.
Although the incidence is similar in both sexes, it tends to be more frequent among children.
The causes of sleepwalking are unknown, although it is usually associated with situations of stress, lack of sleep, febrile states, change of sleep habits, and even believed to have genetic influence.
Occasional sleepwalking is not serious and episodes tend to decrease as the child grows. In case they are too frequent, daily, or almost, it is preferable to consult with a sleep specialist.
What to do if the child is sleepwalking
When there is a sleepwalker at home there is certain measures that we must take. I say "we must" because my oldest daughter, 7, has sleepwalking episodes, one night she almost killed me when I found her next to my bed combing her hair.
We must try:
Clear the rooms: we must leave the passage free of furniture or obstacles to prevent it from hitting in case of getting out of bed and wandering around the room or the house.
Close the door entry with key (and remove the key): very important, at night, when you go to sleep, lock the door and keep the key in a hard-to-reach place. As a child I didn't worry because I didn't know how to open it, but just in case now I take it off.
Keep the windows closed at night: just in case, better to prevent.
Not wake him up: Although it is very difficult for you to wake up in this phase of deep sleep, you can get a good scare if you wake up. It is best to guide him back to bed with delicacy and speaking softly because they can understand us.
Encourage relaxation before going to bed and ensure that you sleep an adequate amount of hours.
The sleepwalking child should not take medication, except in severe cases where the episodes occur too often, or sleepwalking agitated with many accidents, should be treated by a specialist. In these cases, a sleep unit can be consulted.
Besides of sleepwalking in children, in subsequent posts we will continue talking about the infantile parasomnias more frequent as nightmares and night terrors, both quite distressing for both parents and children.
Photos | nathalielaure and Lance Shields on Flickr More information | Sleep Institute In Babies and more | 30% of children under 5 suffer from sleep disorders
