Coping with Seizures in Children

Children with epilepsy may have seizures only once in a while, or they may have them every day. And though seizures can be scary for parents and caregivers, they aren’t painful and are usually brief.

What to Do If Your Child Has a Seizure

If your child shows signs of having a convulsive (also known as a major motor or gand mal) seizure:

• Stay calm.

• Make sure the child is breathing.

• Roll the child onto his or her side.

• Place the child on the ground in a safe area.

• Remove any nearby objects that the child might hit.

• Loosen any clothing around the child’s head and neck.

• Remain with your child until the seizure is over.

Watch and be able to describe what happened before, during, and after the seizure.

What Not to Do During and After a Seizure

• Do not try to restrain the child’s movements.

• Do not put anything in the child’s mouth.

• Do not wake the child if he or she falls asleep after the seizure.

• Do not give the child anything to eat or drink until he or she is awake and alert.

Keeping Your Child Safe

• Develop a list of safety measures with your doctor to prevent injury to your child when he or she has a seizure.

• Carefully monitor activities such as swimming and bathing to keep your child safe in the case of a seizure.

• Inform other caretakers of your child’s condition. Instruct them in how to respond to a seizure if it happens.

• If your child is on medication, make sure it is taken as prescribed.

• Keep track of the number of remaining pills and refills. Call your doctor for refills if you are running low.