My daughter sleepwalks

My 10-year-old daughter often sleepwalks. She does some things which she hardly ever remembers the following day. Kindly advise me on what to do.

Bilikis (by SMS)

Sleepwalking in children is a common phenomenon, with nearly one-third of children experiencing it at some point. It typically occurs an hour or two after falling asleep and can last from a few seconds to about 30 minutes. For ages, sleepwalkers have intrigued us—those who wander in their sleep or even mistake a closet for a restroom, or much worse.

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Indeed, sleepwalking is just one of many behaviours that can occur during deep sleep, specifically the non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) phase. This stage can also cause people to talk, sit up, or make unusual body movements. It’s a relatively common phenomenon, with about 7% of people experiencing sleepwalking at some point in their lives. Most children outgrow sleepwalking by their teenage years.

The condition can be inherited, and children who sleepwalk may follow instructions but are difficult to fully awaken. To ensure safety, parents can take preventive measures, such as removing obstacles in the child’s path and ensuring a safe sleeping environment.