Place protective gates on stairways. Never let the child sleep on a top bunk bed. Lock away any firearms. Parents should seek medical help for their sleepwalker when the youngster puts themselves in danger by their late night excursions or the episodes become disruptive to their family. Perhaps the physician might refer the child to a specialist in sleep disorders.
Most children outgrow sleepwalking by the time they are teenagers.
Until this happens, parents should reassure the child that their sleepwalking is normal. In addition, make sure the child is well rested, since sleepwalking usually occurs only when the child is deep sleeping. Do not be angry or punish the sleepwalking. Remember, how parents react to sleepwalking will decide how the child will react. As a reminder, this column is being written to draw attention to the issues discussed, and should not be relied upon as medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your child's physician.