Coping with Seizures in Children

Seizures can be scary for parents and caregivers, but they aren’t painful and are usually brief.

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About 1 in 10 people will have a seizure in their life. Children who have seizures may have only one and never have another. Other children may have seizures once in a while, or many times a 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

A convulsive seizure is also known as a major motor seizure or a grand mal seizure. If your child shows signs of having this type of seizure:

  • Stay calm.
  • Make sure the child is breathing.
  • Roll the child onto their 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. Try to look at a watch or clock to know how long the seizure lasts.

If your child has medicine to stop a seizure while it happens, make sure you know how to use it.

If your child has a vagus nerve stimulator to treat seizures, follow the instructions you were given to activate it.

What not to do during and after a seizure

  • Don't try to restrain the child's movements.
  • Don't put anything in the child's mouth.
  • Don't wake the child if they fall asleep after the seizure.
  • Don't give the child anything to eat or drink until they are awake and alert.

Keeping your child safe

  • Develop a list of safety measures with your doctor to prevent injury to your child when they have a seizure.
  • Carefully watch activities such as swimming and bathing to keep your child safe in the case of a seizure.
  • Tell other caretakers of your child's condition. Instruct them on how to respond to a seizure if it happens.
  • If your child is on medicine, make sure they take it as prescribed.
  • Keep track of the number of remaining pills and refills. Call your doctor for refills if they are running low.
  • Talk with your doctor about when and if it will be safe for your child to learn to drive and get a driver's license.

Call 911

Call 911 if your child:

  • Has trouble breathing.
  • Has bluish skin.
  • Has a heart condition.
  • Hurts themselves during the seizure.
  • Has a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes.
  • Has a seizure that seems different than usual.
  • Remains unconscious, unresponsive, or confused for more than 5 minutes after the seizure.

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