My mother has told me stories about my sleep walking as a child…my older two children were never unsettled sleepers, Ryan is, this is why I am beginning to wonder whether Ryan could be sleep walking,

                          Ryan will often wonder around his room, he seems to reach a certain point and then he gets stuck somehow, that is when he cries and you find him in a corner of his room, looking disoriented. Some times he wonders into our bedroom, not to hop into bed with us but more just to find us, and even though his eyes are open they look like his not there, if you know what I mean, and on other occasions he can became very agitated and upset. He may have a few quiet nights and then a few unsettled nights, they happen randomly. They appear to get worse if his getting sick…..

                    This is the reason for my advice……..

               Sleep walking is where a child is partly, but not completely, awake during the night, sleep walking is called “Somnambulism”. Sleep walking is common in children and can begin as soon as a child is able to walk. Often there is a family history of sleep walking or night terrors.

          Signs and Symptoms;

n      A young child may wonder around in his/her cot

n      A child may sit up in bed and repeat certain movements

n      An older child will get out of bed and walk around their room or house

n      Occasionally a child may wonder outside

n      They will either walk to were their parents are or may follow a light source

n      The child is disorientated, eyes will be open but will looked glazed

n      Occasionally a child will became very upset during an episode

n      Episodes may became worse with illness

                             The most important thing as a parent of a sleep walking child is to protect your child from harm;

n      Lock all windows and doors

n      Make sure there are gates on stairways

n      Make sure the child’s room is cleared of any objects they may trip over

n       If the child is going away overnight make sure you inform the person in charge, so they are prepared.

n      Maintain a good sleeping pattern

n      Stay calm and never try waking the child

                              Sleep walking is not usually associated with psychiatric or psychological problems. It usually does not need medical treatment…

                             Most children will outgrow these episodes, however, children who do not outgrow them may need to have a medical evaluation.

                 When attending an evaluation you should have documentation of what has been happening (keep a dairy). The doctor will need to know a full medical history, medications and if there are any other sleep disorders. The doctor will most probably organise a sleep study and other test to rule out any underlaying causes…..

             I hope this helps……..