Sleepwalking and Talking: What You Need to Know

What Does Talking While Sleepwalking Mean?

Sleepwalking also termed somnambulism, is when a child falls asleep but then wakes up and performs actions like sitting up, getting out of bed, eating, or even dressing. The child will typically forget they participated in those activities, which could take a few seconds to a half hour. It typically occurs in the first few hours of a child’s sleep. 

Some of the most common sleepwalking symptoms are:

• Step out of bed and go for a walk.
• Sit up in bed.
• Not reply or talk to anyone.
• Having glassy-eyed expression.
• Being briefly confused or disoriented after being woken.

Sleep talking is when a youngster converses while they are asleep, usually without being aware of it. It might be random sounds and phrases or a normal dialogue.

By the time a child reaches adolescence, sleeptalking and talking subside naturally.

How Commonly Do Sleepwalking and Talking Occur?

Sleep Talking: Kids sleep talking is extremely common, and they may outgrow it as they get older. Sleep-talking episodes typically lessen as kids age and may only occur once every few months. However, children between the ages of 2 and 12 are the ones who experience them most frequently.

Sleepwalking: Between the ages of 5 and 16, up to 15% of kids sleepwalk. Tiredness is the most frequent trigger.

What Leads to Talking or Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking: Many factors can lead to sleepwalking in kids, including:

• being sleep deprived or staying up late
• Stress or illness
• Noise or unfamiliar surroundings
• Several medicines
• Having a full bladder as you sleep

What Can Be Done to Treat or Stop Talking or Sleepwalking?

Sleep Talking: In contrast to sleepwalking, the reason for sleep talking is less clear, and there is little information on how to prevent it. However, because sleep talking episodes are uncommon and often do not interfere with sleep, no treatment or intervention is usually required.

You can assist your child stop talking in their sleep by doing a few things.

• Maintain your child’s regular bedtime.
• Give them some downtime before night and put all electronics away at least 30 minutes before bed.
• Set up a quiet, dark, and pleasant sleeping area for your child.
• Make sure your kids get enough exercise throughout the day.
• Prevent caffeine.

Sleepwalking: In most situations, there is no need for treatment. The risk to the child experiencing the episode is usually very low or nonexistent. Sleepwalking is generally outgrown in children. If it continues:

• Take safety measures: Avoid any safety worries by eliminating trip hazards, locking doors, and keeping hazardous objects out of your child’s reach. Additionally, you can close windows and set a gate on the steps.
• Change the bedtime routines: Ascertain that your youngster has a regular nighttime routine and gets enough rest. Limit your screen time if necessary.
• Treat the underlying causes: A child’s sleepwalking may occasionally indicate different underlying diseases or problems. If so, addressing such issues might help stop the instances of sleepwalking. Contact your doctor if you think your kid is experiencing this.
• Gently assist your child in going back to bed: Do not attempt to awaken or disturb them. This can make sleeping harder, prolong the episode, and make you fearful. Instead, your youngster will benefit if you speak quietly and calmly. Additionally, try to prevent kids from feeling ashamed, as this is common in childhood.

Consult Neuropedia for expert care 

The first comprehensive paediatric neurosciences facility, Neuropedia, offers top-tier neuroscience, psychology, behaviour, and rehabilitation knowledge. The top paediatric or kid neurologists in Dubai can be found at Neuropedia. Book an appointment today.