Help for the Sleepwalker
Somnambulism, also known as sleepwalking, can be a disturbing activity for many children as well as adults. Studies indicate that around 18% of people around the world have sleepwalking tendencies. The problem is seen more in children especially boys with the onset between the ages of 11 and 12. It has been noted that if a child begins sleepwalking by the age of 9, that he or she will continue this behavior in his or her adult life.
Sleepwalkers have been known to get out of bed, open doors, make sandwiches, and perform many other tasks. It is difficult to awake the person while they are in this state and after their sleepwalking activity, they usually do not remember what they did. One example is that a sleepwalker might find a saucer and glass in their room the next morning and not remember they had made a sandwich and a had a glass of milk during the previous night hours.
Sleepwalking can be very serious. Some individuals may walk out of the home and into the lake nearby, fall down stairs, or even get in their car and drive. Sleepwalking is something that should not be ignored.
If you have a sleepwalker in your home, there are a few things you can do before seeking medical help. However, once these efforts have not shown an improvement it is recommended that you contact a physician or other professional who might be able to help.
A few things you will need to change in your home and in the sleepwalker's routine include:
- Making sure that the sleepwalker's bedroom is on the ground floor
- Creating a bedtime routine when preparing to go to sleep
- Creating a sleep environment by providing the sleepwalker with a sound conditioner or white noise machine.
In many cases, developing a bedtime routine and a sleep environment will help sleepwalkers. The main goal is to ensure they are receiving enough rest. To create a bedtime routine all you have to do is pick a specific bedtime and stick to it, have a calm or quiet time prior to bed such as taking a relaxing bath. Do not watch television prior to going to bed especially shows that might excite the sleepwalker such as violent or scary movies.
Now, on the sleep environment. The room should be dark and free from distractions such as televisions, computers, game systems and so on and so forth. You can purchase a white noise machine to absorb all the annoying sounds that might be causing difficulty in their sleeping pattern. Outside noises could be disrupting sleep. Along with a white noise machine, a calming tabletop water fountain could help in relieving stress, which could be the root of the sleepwalking episodes.
If none of this helps and the sleepwalker is having more than one episode per month, you should seek medical advice.
If you have any questions about your specific needs, please speak to one of our customer care representatives at Sleepwellbaby, (866)694-1375.
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