What You Should Do If Your Infant Has a Seizure

As a new parent, watching your infant suffer with aremove any vomit so as not to block his breathing
seizure can not only be devastating, but leave youand prevent choking or aspiration. If the Infant starts
feeling helpless and inadequate as a parent. The firstto have labored breathing gently pull his mouth open
time you see your infant having a seizure is usuallyfrom the back sides of the jaw bone using two of
the worst and it is not until you understand what isyour fingers.
happening and what to do that you will feel moreOnce the seizure is over and your child is awake,
comfortable handling the situation.notify your doctor or pediatrician right away or take
Infant seizures are not uncommon and usually thethe infant to the emergency room of nearest
Infant will be fine afterwards. Seizures will only last ahospital or clinic for a full examination. As previously
few minutes and eventually will stop without anymentioned, an underlying illness is usually present and
intervention. These seizures or convulsions are thethis needs to be treated.
result of abnormal brain nerve cell activity thatSeizures With No Fever
causes unconsciousness, rigidity in the arms and legs,These types of seizures should be treated the same
and twitching of the face or limbs. Most infantas Febrile Seizures except for the fact there is no
seizures are related to fevers, however, recurrentfever, so cooling down the Infant is not necessary.
seizures with no fever may indicate a seizure disorderKeep the infant comfortable, away from any objects
and should be diagnosed by a doctor or pediatrician.and do not try to restrain the Infant in any way.
Febrile SeizuresSometimes during a seizure, the infant will stop
Febrile seizures have a short duration of five minutesbreathing momentarily. Do not be alarmed or try CPR,
or less, are triggered by a high fever and usuallythe child will start breathing again on their own
indicate an underlying illness. They can be sudden, butwithout any intervention on your part.
after the first episode do not usually reoccur. What'sMany parents fear that their infant will choke on their
important here is to find out what the underlyingtongue or bite it off. There is no way that the Infant
illness is that is creating the high fever. Many times,will swallow their own tongue and rarely does the
the seizure is the first indication that your infant haschild do severe damage to their tongue or bite it off.
some kind of illness.These fears are unfounded and you should never
Although the seizure will only last a few minutes,stick your fingers or any other object into your
there are steps that should be taken. First, removeInfant's mouth during a seizure.
any objects in the immediate area so if the childAs with febrile seizures, once the seizure has ended
starts flinging around no injuries will occur. You willand your Infant is conscious and awake, seek medical
want to bring the fever down and the best way toattention for a full examination, diagnosis and
do this is by removing the infant's clothes andtreatment.
applying cool cloths to the Infant's head and chest.Although frightening, seizures are common place and
Always use cool water, do not use rubbing alcohol.rarely result in brain damage of any kind. If your
Placing your Infant into a cool bath during a seizure isinfant has a seizure, remain calm, follow these simple
not recommended and can be very dangerous.steps and then follow up with a medical professional
In the event your infant starts vomiting, turn him tofor treatment.
his side or lay him down on his stomach. Try to