any advise about sleepwalking children?

Question

need advise from people in this situation plz.My 7 years old nephew sleep walks around the house at different times in the night,sometimes he talks and goes back to bed and other times he wee's under the stairs! help! its driving my sister mad!

Why cant you daft men help yourselfs when answering these questions?! iv a good sence of humour but i think you all need a hobby! TUT

Answer 1

My son used to sleep walk every night, it was a bit different with him though as he actually had a conversation with me (of sorts) but he was fast asleep...quite scary when it happens as he used to look at me as though i were someone else and tell me there were people in the room with us.....if he'd been watching lively movies or been hyped up before he went to bed his sleep walking episodes were worse....Just remember he's not going to harm himself (sleepwalkers NEVER put themselves in danger, they will always wake up at that point)
The best thing to do is guide him back to bed and not to leave the keys in the door, keep dangerous things out of harms way. Other people mentioned a baby gate, from experience and observations i wouldn't waste my time getting one as sleep walkers would walk down the stairs as carefully as they would if they were awake...
My son still has nights were he sleep walks (he's 14 now) usually when he's stressed about something and has gone to bed with an over active mind, i don't wake and get up anymore but 'know' in the morning when he's been on the 'Night shift' as all the lights are on in the house (he used to do this when he was little..walk around each room, turn on the light, then when he'd completed his 'rounds' he'd get back into bed)....My electric bill now isn't quite so high!!...lol

Answer 2

My daughter has always sleep walked. She is now 18. I just guide her back to bed, answer anything she says with soothing comments, don't try and wake her up and never mention it in the morning.

I can only suggest that your sister does the same with your little nephew. He may grow out of it, he may not.

Good luck.

The weeing bit is of course a problem - i suppose if your sister is aware he will do it she can put a wee pot there or guide him to the bathroom.

She may need to see a doctor if it becomes a major problem, i suppose, but i do wonder if some of these things are better dealt with without 'help'.

My own nephew used to sleepwalk too, and he is a fine young man now with two little boys of his own.

Answer 3

My 8 year old daughter sleepwalks too...... what I do is gently steer her to the toilet, she has a wee, then i take her back to bed and tuck her in. Sometimes she wakes for a second time so i do the same thing.... and she normally needs more than a wee!!!!

Good luck...... it does become less frequent as they get older, my daughter started sleepwalking every night when she was 6 or 7, and now its only once or twice every 6 months or so.

Answer 4

Quite often kids grow out of it but I would suggest putting child gates at the top of the stairs (or changing the catch if you already have them so it's not familiar and not so easy to open in his sleep. That way he can't go far and may either wake up or go back to his bed. To stop him weeing under the stairs you may want to wake him in his bed just before your sister goes to bed so that he can go to the loo then go back to sleep with an empty bladder. It worked for my friends boy who had a similar problem.

Answer 5

My 13 year old son still sleep walks. He does this as often as twice a week. He talks while walking and will often switch the tv on. One thing I never do is try to wake him. I guide him back to his bed by putting my hand on his back and moving him along while saying '' back into your bed''

It's frustrating as it means my sleep is interupted. Luckily, my son doesn't wee anywhere. Tell your sister not to give him any drinks 2 hours before bedtime and also make sure he goes for a wee before bed. Don't let him play playstation/PC games before bed as this also stimulates the brain before settling to sleep. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

My cousin use to sleepwalk. The doctor advised her mum to put something on the door, like keys or windchimes that would gently rattle when the door is opened and that would wake her up. I think it worked and she eventually grew out of sleep walking.

Or if they have an alarm set the alarm at night and it will go off when he goes downstairs, although that could be bit frightening.

Answer 7

Sleep walking is often hereditary or worstened by underlying factors, stress at school, home, worry about things. I think the first step is to assure him that it's ok and that he will not get hurt, the house will be made safe etc. (You never know, worrying about it might be making it worse) Try not mentioning it to him at all, if he doesn't remember doing it then try telling him he didn't do it and see if it slows down. Chill him out before bed, bath time lavender bubbles to relax, nice calm stories and a nice cuddle. My sister used to do this and she grew out of it at around 8 or 9. Good luck. x

Answer 8

Well, people can do almost anything, from hitting an alarm clock to driving to their friend's house (seriously) while asleep and completely unconscious of their own actions, so it's not impossible at all that you have a habit of doing that. A doctor may be able to help. Either that or someone's been ******* with you the whole time.

Answer 9

my nephew sleepwalks all the time put a gate at the top of the stairs but i don't think he would come to any harm as even though they are asleep their eyes are open and coordination is very aware .My nephew doesn't remember a thing in the morning and hes even weed in the wardrobe .Never wake him up just follow him and make sure he gets back to bed he will grow out of it GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

I am not sure that you can or should prevent anyone from sleepwalking but it would be advisable to see a GP in this regard in case there is anything he can prescribe or refer for your sister.

I have heard that this can be a phase that is outgrown so like most periods in parenting she may just have to bear with her son.

Obviously it is advisable to ensure adequate measures are taken in order to ensure that he cannot harm himself in his night time endeavours such as child gates on the stairs, locks on cubboards containing knives, medicine etc.