My Toddler Sleepwalks
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, NSF, Cleveland Clinic guidelines
Last reviewed:
Sleep concerns affect nearly every family at some point. When it comes to my toddler sleepwalks, here is what the guidelines recommend.
The short answer
Sleepwalking is a common parasomnia in children that typically occurs during deep non-REM sleep in the first third of the night. Your child may walk around, open doors, or even talk, all while remaining asleep. It is not a sign of a psychological problem and most children outgrow it by adolescence. The main concern is safety during episodes.
Key takeaways
- Sleepwalking is a common parasomnia in children that typically occurs during deep non-REM sleep in the first third of the night. Your child may walk around, open doors, or even talk, all while remaining asleep. It is not a sign of a psychological problem and most children outgrow it by adolescence. The main concern is safety during episodes.
- Usually normal when: Episodes occur in the first 1-3 hours after falling asleep
- Call your doctor if: Your child injures themselves during a sleepwalking episode or is in immediate physical danger
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“To reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, the AAP recommends that infants sleep on their backs, on a firm, flat surface, without any soft bedding.”
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, NSF, Cleveland Clinic guidelines, sleepwalking is a common parasomnia in children that typically occurs during deep non-REM sleep in the first third of the night. Your child may walk around, open doors, or even talk, all while remaining asleep. It is not a sign of a psychological problem and most children outgrow it by adolescence. The main concern is safety during episodes. At 12-24 months, sleepwalking can begin as soon as a child is mobile enough to climb out of a crib or walk independently. At this age, what looks like sleepwalking may sometimes be a partial arousal where the child sits up, crawls, or stands in the crib in a dazed state. True sleepwalking with purposeful movement around the house is less common before age 2 but does occur. It is generally considered normal when episodes occur in the first 1-3 hours after falling asleep. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child injures themselves during a sleepwalking episode or is in immediate physical danger.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
12-24 months
Sleepwalking can begin as soon as a child is mobile enough to climb out of a crib or walk independently. At this age, what looks like sleepwalking may sometimes be a partial arousal where the child sits up, crawls, or stands in the crib in a dazed state. True sleepwalking with purposeful movement around the house is less common before age 2 but does occur.
2-4 years
Sleepwalking becomes more recognizable in this age range. Your toddler may get out of bed, walk to another room, or try to open doors - all while appearing to be awake but actually being in a state of partial arousal from deep sleep. Their eyes may be open but glassy, and they will not respond normally to your voice. Episodes typically last 5-15 minutes. Gently guide them back to bed without forcefully waking them.
4-8 years
This is the peak age for sleepwalking, with about 15-40% of children having at least one episode. It runs strongly in families - if one or both parents sleepwalked as children, your child is significantly more likely to as well. Overtiredness, irregular sleep schedules, fever, and stress are common triggers. Most children have infrequent episodes and outgrow them entirely.
8+ years
Sleepwalking typically decreases through later childhood and adolescence as the brain matures. If sleepwalking is still frequent, is increasing in complexity (leaving the house, engaging in potentially dangerous behavior), or is accompanied by other symptoms like bedwetting or excessive daytime sleepiness, a sleep study may be recommended.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler sleepwalks and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if sleepwalking occurs multiple times per week or is becoming more frequent.
- Mention if your child also has loud snoring, mouth breathing, or pauses in breathing during sleep that could suggest obstructive sleep apnea.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Episodes occur in the first 1-3 hours after falling asleep
- Your child does not remember the episode in the morning
- Sleepwalking happens occasionally, especially when overtired or sleeping in a new environment
- Your child is otherwise healthy, well-rested during the day, and developing normally
- Sleepwalking occurs multiple times per week or is becoming more frequent
- Your child also has loud snoring, mouth breathing, or pauses in breathing during sleep that could suggest obstructive sleep apnea
- Episodes involve complex or potentially dangerous behavior such as trying to leave the house or going near stairs
- Your child injures themselves during a sleepwalking episode or is in immediate physical danger
- Sleepwalking is accompanied by seizure-like movements, prolonged confusion lasting more than 30 minutes after the episode, or begins after a head injury
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice my toddler sleepwalks — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that episodes occur in the first 1-3 hours after falling asleep — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 12-24 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Maintain a consistent bedtime routine. Keep the sleep environment cool, dark, and quiet.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your child injures themselves during a sleepwalking episode or is in immediate physical danger.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Baby Sleep Guide
Age-by-age sleep needs, schedules, and evidence-based sleep strategies.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is my toddler sleepwalks normal?
When should I call the doctor about my toddler sleepwalks?
When is my toddler sleepwalks normal?
What causes my toddler sleepwalks?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about my toddler sleepwalks?
Is my toddler sleepwalks normal at 12-24 months?
Is my toddler sleepwalks normal at 2-4 years?
Should I go to the ER for my toddler sleepwalks?
Does my toddler sleepwalks go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics. Sleepwalking in Children. HealthyChildren.org. AAP
- [2]National Sleep Foundation. Sleepwalking. SleepFoundation.org. NSF
- [3]Cleveland Clinic. Sleepwalking (Somnambulism). ClevelandClinic.org. Cleveland Clinic
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Toddler Sleepwalks.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler sleepwalks and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if sleepwalking occurs multiple times per week or is becoming more frequent.
- Mention if your child also has loud snoring, mouth breathing, or pauses in breathing during sleep that could suggest obstructive sleep apnea.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Sleepwalking occurs multiple times per week or is becoming more frequent
- Your child also has loud snoring, mouth breathing, or pauses in breathing during sleep that could suggest obstructive sleep apnea
- Episodes involve complex or potentially dangerous behavior such as trying to leave the house or going near stairs
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child injures themselves during a sleepwalking episode or is in immediate physical danger
- Sleepwalking is accompanied by seizure-like movements, prolonged confusion lasting more than 30 minutes after the episode, or begins after a head injury
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of my toddler sleepwalks are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child injures themselves during a sleepwalking episode or is in immediate physical danger.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
Was this page helpful?
Related Sleep Concerns
How Long Should Baby Be Awake Between Naps?
The ideal awake time between naps (called a "wake window") increases as your baby grows. Newborns may only handle 45-90 minutes awake, while toddlers can manage 4-6 hours. Getting wake windows right is one of the most effective ways to improve nap quality, because both too-short and too-long wake times lead to poor sleep.
Is a Bath Before Bed Really Necessary?
A nightly bath is not medically necessary and some babies with sensitive skin do better with less frequent bathing. However, a warm bath can be a powerful sleep cue because the subsequent body temperature drop triggers melatonin production. If you include a bath, keep it calm and warm rather than stimulating.
How Long Should the Bedtime Routine Be?
An ideal bedtime routine for babies and toddlers is 20-30 minutes. Shorter routines may not give enough time to wind down, while routines longer than 45 minutes can become a stalling tactic. Consistency in the routine order matters more than exact length.
Is My Baby's Bedtime Too Early?
For most babies over 3 months, bedtime between 6:00-8:00 PM is appropriate. A bedtime that is too early can cause early morning wakings (before 6 AM) or long periods of wakefulness in the middle of the night. However, during nap transitions or on days when naps were short, an earlier-than-usual bedtime helps prevent overtiredness.
Is My Baby's Bedtime Too Late?
For babies over 3-4 months, consistently going to bed after 8:30-9:00 PM may result in overtiredness, which paradoxically makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Cortisol rises when babies are overtired, leading to more night wakings and early mornings. Moving bedtime earlier, even by 15-30 minutes, often improves overnight sleep quality.
Is It Dangerous for My Baby to Sleep in a Car Seat?
Babies should not be left to sleep in car seats outside of the car. Car seat-related deaths are most often caused by positional asphyxia, which occurs when a baby's head falls forward, compressing the airway. While car seats are essential and safe for travel, the AAP recommends transferring your sleeping baby to a firm, flat sleep surface as soon as you reach your destination. Never use a car seat as a substitute for a crib or bassinet.