Learn why sleepwalking is more common in children, how to respond during a sleepwalking episode, ways to make your home safer and tips to help prevent sleepwalking.

Sleepwalking Basics

During a typical night, adults move through four to six sleep cycles. Each cycle takes about 90 to 120 minutes and includes different sleep stages, from light and deep non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep to rapid eye movement sleep (REM), when dreaming often happens. Most sleepwalking occurs in the first few hours of the night during slow‑wave sleep (also called stage N3). This is the deepest stage of NREM sleep.

Sleepwalking is most common in children between 8 and 12 years old because children spend more time in NREM sleep and their brains are still learning to switch smoothly between sleep and wakefulness. Most children outgrow sleepwalking by their teen years.

“Adults can sleepwalk, too, but it’s less common and may need medical evaluation since it’s more likely to be linked to an underlying medical condition,” says Hrayr P. Attarian, MD, a neurologist and sleep medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine.

Sleepwalking Behavior
Common actions of someone sleepwalking include:

• Sitting Up
• Walking
• Talking
• Opening doors
• Eating
• Moving items
• Trying to get ready for the day

The person may:

• Look glassy-eyed
• Have a blank expression
• Say a few words
• Avoid eye contact
• Be difficult to wake

They usually do not respond well to questions and have no awareness or memory of the episode the next day. Parts of the brain that store new memories are “offline,” so their recall is weak.

Some people may also separately have sleep terrors, such as sudden fear, sweating and screaming when not fully awake.

What Causes Sleepwalking?

Certain factors can trigger sleepwalking:

• A family history of sleepwalking
• Some medical conditions, including other sleep disorders
• Sleep deprivation
• Fever
• Stress
• An irregular schedule
• Drinking alcohol

“Sleepwalking is not the same as acting out dreams. REM sleep behavior disorder, which is when you physically act out dreams unknowingly, happens during REM sleep,” says Dr. Attarian.

What Should You Do if Someone Is Sleepwalking?

Safety always comes first. If they are in immediate risk of danger, such as moving toward stairs, carrying sharp objects or leaving the house, wake them gently to keep them safe.

If their safety is not at risk:

• Guide them back to bed with a soft, calm voice and light touch on the shoulder or elbow.
• Use a short, simple prompt like, “Let’s go to bed.”
• Stand at their side, not directly in front of them.
• Do not argue or try to “snap them out of it.”
• Clear the path of obstacles, and lock doors and windows.

If someone in the home sleepwalks regularly, use these tips to help keep them safe:

• Place a door alarm or bell on bedroom doors.
• Lock outside doors and windows.
• Place keys out of reach.
• Block stairways with gates.
• Move furniture away from paths.
• Keep sharp objects and items that can easily break out of common routes.
• Use a bed with a low mattress for severe cases.

Signs a sleepwalking episode is starting or ending

• When an episode is starting: You may notice restlessness, sitting up, mumbling, a blank stare or slow movements.
• At the end of an episode: The person lies back down, becomes quiet or seems confused for a short time.

What Are the Risks of Waking Someone?

If you wake a person who is sleepwalking, they may be confused or startled because their brain is still in deep sleep. Serious harm from waking them is rare.

“The biggest concern is injury if they keep moving around while asleep,” says Dr. Attarian.

When To Call the Doctor

Occasional sleepwalking usually isn’t a concern. But talk with your doctor or child’s pediatrician if:

• Episodes are frequent, including in the same night
• Behavior is risky
• There is loud snoring or choking during sleep
• Daytime sleepiness is severe
• Sleepwalking starts in adulthood

Track any patterns and share your concerns with a neurologist or sleep medicine specialist. At your evaluation, your doctor may ask about bedtime habits, stress and if there is a family history of sleepwalking. They may check for other conditions that can trigger sleepwalking, such as sleep apnea and periodic limb movements.

When Is a Sleep Study Needed?

Sometimes a video sleep study is the best way to understand what’s causing sleepwalking, especially if:

• You’re worried about safety.
• The cause isn’t clear.
• Another sleep disorder might be involved.

A wrist monitor may also be used at home to capture sleep patterns.

“If the study finds something like sleep apnea, treating it can help reduce sleepwalking episodes,” says Dr. Attarian.

Can You Prevent Sleepwalking?

Although you may not be able to fully prevent sleepwalking, the following strategies may help:

• Maintain a regular bedtime.
• Make sure you are getting the amount of sleep you need.
• Limit caffeine late in the day and avoid alcohol near bedtime.
• Create a wind‑down routine that includes dim lights and quiet activities.
• Manage stress with simple tools like breathing, stretching and journaling.

If safety is a concern or sleepwalking episodes happen often, your doctor may suggest:

• Scheduled awakenings: Gently waking the person 15 to 30 minutes before their usual episode time
• Therapy: Mental health therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy
• Medications that can alter neurotransmitters: Includes antidepressants, though there’s no evidence they help with sleepwalking
• Treating underlying conditions: Managing medical issues that may be causing sleepwalking

Most sleepwalking is harmless, but it’s important to keep your home safe and get help when you need it. If you’re worried about sleepwalking either for you or a family member, reach out to your doctor for guidance.