Common triggers for seizures when you are looking after a baby or young child

Common triggers for seizures when you are looking after a baby or young child. When you are looking after a baby or young child, you may be at a higher risk of some common triggers for seizures. Here are some of these triggers, with suggestions for ways to avoid them.

Forgetting to take your anti-epileptic drugs

Use an alarm clock, alarm on your mobile phone or a pill reminder to help you remember when to take your anti-epileptic drugs. If you live in the UK, the Disabled Living Foundation can give you details of suppliers of pill reminders, tel 0845 130 9177; www.dlf.org.uk

Missing meals/low blood sugar levels

• Avoid missing meals if possible. You might find it helpful to prepare meals in advance, so you always have a supply of something ready to eat.
• If you want to lose any weight that you put on during your pregnancy, seek advice about a well-balanced diet from your family doctor.

Disturbed sleep

• If possible, share night-time feeds with your partner or a friend so you can have longer periods of uninterrupted sleep. If you breastfeed, you could use a breast pump and build up a milk supply. Someone else could feed this to your baby at night, using a cup or bottle. Discuss this with your midwife or health visitor. Further information for breastfeeding support is available at www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk
• Talk to your family doctor or health visitor about setting a good sleep routine for the baby or child. When they sleep more soundly, so can you. Further information about sleep routines is available at www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Childrenssleep
• If a baby is in a cot or Moses basket in your room, place it away from your side of the bed. This would mean that there is less chance of them waking you with every little noise they make.

Stress, anxiety and depression

• Talk to your health visitor or family doctor about any stress, anxiety or depression you may be feeling. They can help you to get the right support, information and treatment, if this would be helpful.
• If you live in the UK and are worried about having a seizure when alone with a child, the Careline alarm service, available from your local council for a monthly fee, may help you to feel safer. If you need help before or after a seizure, you can use the alarm to call for a carer to come straight to you. Contact your local council for more information about this service.
• If you live in the UK and are finding it very difficult to care for a child, particularly at night, you may be entitled to extra support or benefits. For more information, speak to your health visitor, family doctor, staff at your local Jobcentre Plus office or contact the Epilepsy Helpline.