Sleep problems, like bedwetting, leg restlessness, teeth grinding, sleepwalking, and sleep talking in children, can be frequently seen. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), about 50% of the pediatric population have some type of sleep problem, with just around 4% being diagnosed with a sleep disorder (1). Sleep talking, also known as somniloquy, is a sleep-wake transition condition in which people talk in their sleep without realizing it (2). Children may speak in whole sentences, blabber, mumble, chuckle, or even whistle while sleeping. Sleep talking is harmless and temporary in most cases and does not require treatment. Continue reading to learn more about sleep talking, its effects on children, and how to deal with it.

Why Do Children Talk In Their Sleep?

Sleep primarily consists of two different stages, namely REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement). Sleep talking can occur in any stage of sleep. Children do not remember the content of their talks and have no memory of that event (1) (3). Sleep talking has been known to be genetic, which means it runs in the family. It may also be caused by other factors or conditions (4).

Sleep deprivation Fever Anxiety Excitement — about an activity such as an outing, event at school, etc., Stress Daytime drowsiness Depression

Sleep talking is also likely to be associated with other sleep-related disorders such as nightmares, night terrors ,sleep walking, sleep apnea (interruption of breathing during sleep), REM sleep behavior disorder, and confusional arousals  (4). The good news is that children usually grow out of this condition by adolescence (2).

Stages And Symptoms Of Sleep Talking In Kids

Symptoms of sleep talking can vary depending on the severity and duration of the condition (4). When sleep is lighter, talks can be understandable. However, they turn gibberish in the later stages of sleep.

Stages 1 and 2: The sleep is light during these stages, thus making the talking comprehensible. Sleep talkers can often have an entire conversation during these stages.

Stages 3 and 4:It is marked by deep sleep, which makes it difficult to comprehend the speech. There is some amount of speech restriction that could make the speech sound like gibberish or moaning.

Sleep talking can be classified as follows, depending on the severity.

Mild: Sleep talking episodes occur less than once a month

Moderate: They occur more than once a week. The sleep talk doesn’t interfere or disturb the sleep of others.

Severe: Episodes occur every night and could disturb the sleep of others.

Sleep talking can be classified as follows, depending on the duration.

 Acute: The duration of the condition has been a month or less than a month.

Subacute: The duration has been more than a month but less than a year.

Chronic: The condition has persisted for more than a year.

Complications Of Sleep Talking In Children

There are no complications of sleep talking in children. If sleep talkers are loud and the episodes frequent, then it may disturb the sleep of others in the room.

When To See A Doctor?

Sleep talking is a harmless condition. However, if your child shows severe symptoms such as frequent episodes and loud speech, then it may require a visit to the healthcare practitioner or a sleep expert. There might be an underlying condition such as stress, anxiety, or depression in school-aged children.

Treatment For Sleep Talking In Children

There is no known treatment for sleep talking. However, consulting a sleep expert can help you manage the condition. Solving an underlying cause can eventually help cure sleep talking.

Tips To Manage Sleep Talking In Children

The following tips can help you manage sleep talking in children (1) (4) (5).

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