| Sleep talking and Sleepwalking both belong to a group | | | | should not have a bed that is too high or a bunk bed, |
| called 'Parasomnias' which are sleep disorders. It is not | | | | which is totally out of the question. Before bedtime, |
| fully understood why it occurs, as it does not mean | | | | obstacles such as books and toys should be picked up |
| that your child has a psychological or physical problem | | | | off the floor and tidied away. Check that all windows |
| which is causing this. Once a child is asleep, this will | | | | are locked and the bedroom door is closed, which will |
| occur within one to three hours during deep sleep. | | | | hopefully keep your child in their room and not |
| In children, sleep talking is more common than sleep | | | | wandering around the house. The parents may also |
| walking, which do often happen at the same time. | | | | consider putting alarm systems on the doors, windows |
| Children have a tendency to experience not just one | | | | and the sleepwalker's bed. Once a child reaches |
| or two, but all three types of parasomnias if it runs in | | | | adolescence, the sleepwalking usually stops, although it |
| their families. | | | | is best to keep up the safety precautions. |
| The parents main concern is for their child's safety | | | | Sleep talking is the more common problem in |
| whilst they are sleepwalking. A child that is | | | | parasomnias. Some children that sleep talk can be |
| sleepwalking is not capable of making good judgement | | | | easily understood as their words are clear when |
| whilst he is up and about, as he would when he is | | | | spoken. Others just mumble or make noises which are |
| awake and conscious, so injury is more likely to occur. | | | | incoherent. Sometimes a child may appear upset and |
| Children who sleepwalk do not make much noise, so it | | | | start talking loudly, so a parent should try to comfort |
| is difficult for a parent to wake up when this is | | | | them in some way and try not to wake them whilst |
| happening. Preventative measures need to be put in | | | | doing so. They are best left alone if they are just |
| place to protect the child. The child's needs to be | | | | talking, and you will probably find that the episode lasts |
| evaluated for any potential hazards. A sleepwalker | | | | a short time and your child is sleeping soundly again. |