My Toddler Sleepwalks
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.
By Age
What to expect by age
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.
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.
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.
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 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
Sources
Related Resources
Related Sleep Concerns
Baby Only Napping 30 Minutes
Short naps of 30-45 minutes are extremely common in babies under 6 months. Your baby is waking at the end of a single sleep cycle and has not yet learned to link cycles together during the day. This is developmentally normal and typically improves on its own between 5-7 months as the brain matures.
Baby Fighting Sleep
A baby who fights sleep is usually either overtired, undertired, or going through a developmental leap. It can feel exhausting, but it is very common and does not mean anything is wrong. Adjusting wake windows and creating a calming pre-sleep routine are the most effective strategies.
My Baby Grinds Teeth While Sleeping
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is surprisingly common in babies and toddlers, affecting up to 30% of children. It often begins when babies first get teeth and may continue through early childhood. While the sound can be unsettling, occasional grinding is usually harmless and most children outgrow it by age 6. It may be related to teething discomfort, jaw development, or simply exploring their new teeth.
My Baby Moans in Their Sleep
Moaning, groaning, and grunting during sleep are extremely common in babies and are almost always harmless. Babies spend a large proportion of their sleep in active (REM) sleep, during which they naturally vocalize, twitch, and make facial expressions. These sounds typically decrease as your baby's nervous system matures over the first few months.
My Baby Naps Too Much
How much daytime sleep is "too much" depends heavily on your baby's age. Newborns naturally nap frequently and for long stretches, while older babies and toddlers gradually consolidate daytime sleep into fewer, shorter naps. Excessive daytime napping becomes a concern mainly if it consistently interferes with nighttime sleep or if it signals an underlying issue like illness.
Baby Needs Rocking to Sleep
Rocking your baby to sleep is a perfectly natural and loving way to help them drift off. It is not a bad habit - it is responsive parenting. If rocking is working for your family, there is no need to change anything. If you would like your baby to learn to fall asleep with less help, gentle, gradual approaches work best.