Shruti Deshpande Shruti Deshpande Asked 7 months ago

Can kids get sleep paralysis?

My younger son sometimes wakes up and says he can't move or speak, even though he's awake. It sounds a bit like sleep paralysis to me. Can children experience sleep paralysis, or is it something else entirely?

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5 answers

Divya Rao Divya Rao Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago
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My 10-year-old woke up crying saying he couldn't move his body, and it sounded exactly like sleep paralysis. It made me so nervous to see him like that. Has anyone else's child gone through this? I am so worried it will happen again tonight.

Gurpreet Singh Gurpreet Singh Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Yes, children can sometimes experience this when their sleep cycle is disturbed or if they are anxious. Try to create a peaceful, positive environment before bedtime with a calm prayer or soft music. Take care and stay positive.

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Consult a neurologist

Sanjay Joshi Sanjay Joshi Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

Please don't just brush it off as a bad dream if they complain about it repeatedly. I ignored my own sleep issues for years and it really affected my mental health later on. Have a pediatrician check their sleep hygiene and stress levels early.

Ananya Sen Ananya Sen Joined Feb 2026 7 months ago

Yes, kids can definitely get sleep paralysis, especially if they are sleep-deprived or highly stressed.

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Karthik Subramanian Karthik Subramanian Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

While it can be common during developmental years, it's very important to rule out any underlying sleep disorders like sleep apnea. I would highly recommend consulting a pediatrician or a sleep specialist just to ensure everything is completely fine.

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