Bedwetting, Sleepwalking, and Night Terrors: Pediatric Sleep Disorders That Surprise Parents
You tuck your child into bed, kiss their forehead, whisper goodnight—and you think the day is done. But hours later, you hear soft footsteps… or maybe a cry from the next room. You find them sleepwalking. Or they’ve wet the bed. Or worse, they’re screaming, eyes wide open, but not fully awake. Sound familiar? Welcome to the unexpected world of pediatric sleep disorders —a world that many parents walk into unprepared. What Are Pediatric Sleep Disorders? Sleep isn’t just rest. It’s when a child’s body and brain grow, process memories, and recover. But for some kids, sleep comes with disruptions that seem harmless at first—until they become regular. Pediatric sleep disorders refer to abnormal sleep patterns or behaviors that affect a child’s rest, health, or daily functioning. While adults may battle insomnia or sleep apnea, children often experience: Bedwetting (Nocturnal Enuresis) Sleepwalking (Somnambulism) Night Terrors (Pavor Nocturnus) Let’s break them down. ...