Sleepwalking (also known as somnambulism) is where a child moves or engages in activity whilst still asleep. 

• It usually occurs in the first few hours after going to bed. 
• Even though the name suggests walking, it can include a range of other behaviours, for example, doing exercise, rearranging furniture or eating food in the kitchen.
• A child’s eyes will be open during sleepwalking, but they are likely to be vacant.
• Talking to a sleepwalking child may prompt a partial response or something that is unlikely to make sense to you.  

Keeping your child safe during a sleepwalking episode 

Sleepwalking is harmless in itself but can pose potential risks to children from embarrassment all the way through to life-threatening, for example, handling knives or attempting to drive a car or machinery. 

In order to keep your child safe during sleepwalking episodes apply the following tips: 

• set up safe sleeping arrangements, for example, lower set beds to prevent falls
• remove clutter or obstacles from your child’s bedroom floor
• secure your home by locking doors and windows in the house
• secure any stairs by installing an appropriately sized gate at the top or bottom (between your child’s room and the stairs). 

See Improving your child's sleep pattern for more tips on how to help reduce the incidence of sleepwalking episodes. 

As a parent of a child who sleepwalks, you should raise your concerns with a health professional when your child’s sleepwalking is: 

• becoming dangerous or involving risky behaviour
• significantly disrupts your child’s sleep where they are tired most of the day
• occurring quite regularly or most nights.