If you are a parent of a new baby and you have epilepsy, you may need to take extra care to ensure the safety of your child. A few simple precautions can reduce the risk of accidents and prevent unnecessary anxiety.

Some of the following precautions may be of more relevance than others, depending on your type of epilepsy and the frequency of your seizures.

general safety rules

The health visitor will be an excellent source of advice on baby care and general safety procedures. There are standard precautions which any parent with a baby or young child should take, including:

A gate at the kitchen entrance, to ensure that a toddler cannot reach a hot cooker

A cooker guard to prevent hot pans being pulled over (available from ‘Mothercare’)

A stair-gate

A playpen

A sturdy garden gate with a secure lock

Electric socket covers

bathing

If you have a seizures which involve loss of consciousness, it is preferable to bath the baby when someone else is there. Alternatively, you can sponge the child in its cot or on a waterproof sheet on the floor, with the basin of water well out of reach so that it cannot be knocked over should a seizure occur. Plastic baby sitters which hold a child in place in the bath are available.

carrying

If you are subject to very frequent seizures which occur without warning and involve loss of consciousness, you may prefer to avoid carrying the baby if you are alone, and wheel it instead.

feeding

Whether breast feeding or bottle feeding your baby, you can minimise the risk of dropping the child during a seizure. Sit on the floor with your back to the wall and a cushion on either side so that the baby does not have far to fall if you lose consciousness. If you bottle feed your baby and tend to fall in the same direction each time, hold the baby on the opposite side so that you will fall away from the child. Most highchairs are adaptable and you can set the chair at its lowest height and sit on the floor while feeding the baby.

nappy changing

Again, this is best carried out on a waterproof mat on the floor. Kneel at the side of the mat where you will avoid falling on the child in the event of a seizure. Avoid changing the baby on furniture where the baby could roll and fall off.

drugs

Many new mothers are anxious that their epilepsy medication will be passed on in their milk if they breast feed their child. The amount that is passed on is likely to be negligible in most cases and is therefore unlikely to affect the child. Ask your own doctor to advise on this.

Children love to imitate adults and a toddler who watches a parent taking tablets may be tempted to copy them. Keep all medicines out of reach of your child.

outside the home

When you take your baby out in the pram, you may consider tying a length of cord from your wrist or waist to the pram so that it will not run away if you have a seizure. The cord should be long enough to ensure that you do not pull the pram over when you fall.

Reins will prevent a toddler from wandering off but the child should always carry identification. However, even a very young child can learn to sit by your side until you recover.

explaining your epilepsy

Your child will be alarmed if a seizure occurs without any warning or explanation. It is therefore important to explain your epilepsy to your child as early as possible.

‘Learning About Epilepsy’ (a picture book for very young children).

‘Epilepsy: The Detective’s Story’.

‘What difference Does It Make To Danny?’ (for older school aged children).

relationships

A new baby can put stress on any relationship and this can increase if the couple has the additional anxiety of epilepsy. However, open and frank discussion with each other can often prevent or reduce this stress altogether. Parents should be sympathetic and understanding towards each other. Parents may initially feel ‘distanced’ from their baby by the safety precautions they have to take and may need time when their partner is around to hold and cuddle their baby.

conclusion

A new addition to your family should be a time of pleasure and should not be marred by unnecessary concerns. The extra care required to ensure that your child enjoys an accident free home will only be an extension of your existing safety procedures. If you have further concerns, approach your health visitor or GP for advice.