Children Sleepwalking
At Every Turn > Primary Care > Children and sleepwalking: What parents need to know
Tips Jan 06, 2014

Children and sleepwalking: What parents need to know

Louella Amos, MD, Pulmonologist

Your 5 year old has been in bed and asleep since 8 p.m. At 10 p.m. you’re in the kitchen cleaning up and you see your child walk into the living room. You call out to him and he does not respond.

You then recall a similar event the night before when he wandered into your bedroom and urinated in your closet. You run over to him as he is about to “water the plants” and redirect him to the bathroom. You then lead him to his bedroom and he back is in bed, asleep.

What’s going on? Your child is sleepwalking.

Is sleepwalking normal?

Yes. Sleepwalking is common, particularly in pre-school to school-aged children. They can occur as often as every night and up to several times per night. They usually occur during the first part of the night.

Even though the child’s eyes may be open, they are asleep. They may seem confused and talk nonsense or appear agitated and scream during the episodes (sleep terrors). Sometimes they may do strange things such as urinate in random places or get dressed to go to school.

In the morning, the children do not remember anything about the event. Children often outgrow sleepwalking by the time they are teenagers.

What causes sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking runs in families — a child whose parent or sibling sleepwalks is more likely to sleepwalk. Additional causes include:

  • Lack of sleep

  • Fever or illness

  • Having a full bladder during sleep — this disturbs sleep and can result in nighttime wandering to empty the bladder

  • Sleeping in a different environment

  • Stress

What should parents do if a child sleepwalks?

It’s important to keep a consistent sleep schedule for your child and make sure he or she gets enough sleep. During a sleepwalking episode:

  • Try not to wake the child. Rather, gently redirect the child back to bed.

  • It is important to make sure your child is safe.

  • There should be no access to harmful objects such as firearms or knives.

  • Clear the floor of obstacles before your child is in bed.

  • Make sure your child cannot leave the home during an episode.

If there are other medical or safety concerns, a referral to a pediatric sleep specialist may be necessary for further evaluation and/or management

Children's Wisconsin Resources

Children’s Wisconsin has more than 20 primary care offices conveniently located throughout the Milwaukee area and southeast Wisconsin. Find a pediatrician near you. View more articles from Louella Amos, MD

Related stories

Helping tweens and teens overcome breakups Children's Wisconsin
Tips Jun 16, 2025

Heartbreak 101: Helping Your Teen Heal After a Breakup

Artie Turner, MS, LPC Behavioral Health Consultant

While it’s painful, there are ways to help your teen navigate through the intense emotions of heartbreak.

How to keep kids hydrated in the summer Children's Wisconsin
Tips Jun 10, 2025

You Can Lead a Kid to Water, but How Do You Get Them To Drink?

Lara Seeby-Halas, MS, LAT Licensed Athletic Trainer

It can be tricky to know how much water kids need — and even trickier to get them to drink it.

Benefits of gardening with your kids Children's Wisconsin
Tips May 28, 2025

Growing Up Green: The Many Benefits of Gardening With Your Kids

Caitlin Jacobs, MPH, RD, CD Clinical Dietitian

Gardening gets your kids outside, exposes them to a variety of foods and promotes their natural curiosity.

Understanding and addressing anxiety in kids Children's Wisconsin
Tips May 20, 2025

No More Worries: How To Manage Anxiety in Children

Tyler White, LPC Behavioral Health Consultant

While anxiety is a natural part of being human, it can be quite unpleasant to live with.

Skin cancer and melanoma in kids Children's Wisconsin Dermatology Program
Tips May 14, 2025

How To Protect Your Child From Skin Cancer

Valerie Carlberg, MD Dermatologist

Although childhood skin cancer is rare, protecting your child’s skin from ultraviolet radiation is critical for preventing long-term health consequences.

How to Cultivate Assertiveness in Your Child Children's Wisconsin
Tips May 05, 2025

How to Cultivate Assertiveness in Your Child

Rebecca Bons, PsyD Behavioral Health Consultant

Learning how to be assertive helps children build safe relationships, navigate conflicts and boost self-esteem.

What Are Obesogens and Do They Cause Weight Gain in Children? Children's Wisconsin
Tips Apr 16, 2025

Are Obesogens Causing Weight Gain in Children?

Pallavi Iyer, MD Endocrinologist

Obesity rates have more than tripled since the 1960s for both adults and children — but why?