“Can children get sleep paralysis?”
My daughter was complaining one morning that she felt "stuck" in her bed. Like she couldn't move, but was able to talk and was wide awake. This sounds like a sleep paralysis episode to me, but she's only 9 years old. Is it possible for children to get sleep paralysis as well?
1 Answer
Sleep offset paralysis can definitely happen at any age and in general is normal. It represents a defect of awakening during dream sleep. It doesn't need of treatment and is harmless though frightening when it happens. I would reassure your daughter that this is not serious. It may vanished as she gets older. Good sleep habits and regular bed and wake times may be of some value. Sleep onset paralysis however is a very different thing and deserves medical evaluation if it occurs.
