Photo via FreePik

As a parent or guardian, you assume having seizures in bed would be typically safe. Maybe you are right, as long as the person doesn't walk into something or fall while walking right? Maybe! But what you probably don’t know is that having seizure while in bed also presents other dangers, especially if a child is involved. Nighttime seizures, also known as nocturnal seizures, are seizures that happen while sleeping and they are more common than you think. Imagine your kid rolling to the other side of the bed, only for them to hit their head against a sharp object. Have you also considered the possibility that your child may be having seizures and is face down? This could result in serious breathing problems, and who do you blame?

Your child getting good quality sleep goes beyond sleeping on a nice bed or in a temperature-controlled room which is important for having a well-rested night rest. But beyond that, the environment also needs to be safe for your kid. In today’s blog, we’d be looking at how you can make bedtime safer for your kids with epilepsy.

The Relationship Between Sleep and Epilepsy

Sleep is essential, as it enhances mental alertness, physical well-being, and overall quality of life. However, it’s closely intertwined with epilepsy. In most cases, especially in the absence of adequate safety measures, epileptic patients find it difficult to get good-quality sleep. Sleep deprivation is a common trigger for many kids with seizures. For instance, children with sleep-related hyper motor epilepsy (SHE) have nocturnal seizures, which affects their sleep quality.

Epilepsy worsens a child’s ability to sleep. Lack of sleep has short and long-term effects on the child, such as increased anxiety, attention problems, overeating, short tempers, high blood pressure, stroke, depression, and mood disorders. While there’s no one-size-fits-all method to help reduce the frequency of occurrence, some measures can help create a strong foundation of sleep.

6 Ways to Make Bedtime Safer for Kids with Epilepsy

Now, we come to the main part. Here are some steps to take to improve your epileptic child’s sleep quality.

1. Adhere Strictly to Prescribed Medications

The first step to creating a solid sleep foundation is to minimize the risks of seizures. Remember, nocturnal seizures can cause sleep deprivation. Creating a strong sleep foundation starts with being consistent with medication. A day skipped or an hour extended could be fatal.

Therefore, help the child to adhere strictly to the prescribed medications for seizures, and ensure they take them at the appropriate time. Missed doses and bad timing can increase the risk of seizures, and you wouldn’t want that for your child.

Furthermore, create a written Seizure Action Plan (SAP) with the neurologist that includes emergency steps to take in the event of such an incident, especially at night.

2. Create a Safer Sleep Environment

Like earlier said, a solid sleep foundation is necessary for an awesome bedtime experience. Creating a sleep environment is also part of it. It’s crucial to design the environment to enhance sleep.

Start by optimizing the bedroom. Ensure it’s dark and quiet and turn off any electronics an hour before bedtime. In addition, consider a low-lying bed, such as those offered by Safety Beds, on the floor. Place some padding around the bed to prevent accidental falls to the ground.

Keep large pillows away or all pillows, if possible, as they could pose a suffocation risk. Also, keep away heavy blankets that might restrict movement or cause suffocation. Furthermore, keep away sharp and dangerous objects from the bed and the entire room.

3. Use Seizure Monitors

Nocturnal seizures go unnoticed. That’s where seizure monitors come in. Installing a seizure monitor, such as a SAMi3 camera or Emfit, under the mattress can be a lifesaver. These devices detect movement and alert parents/caregivers.

If you want an alternative seizure monitoring device, video monitors and wearables could suffice. Video monitors are particularly helpful, especially when false alarms are a problem. They can alert parents and caregivers to irregular breathing, prompting rapt medical attention. Wearables, such as FDA-approved smart watches can also help signal potential seizures.

4. Setup the Room

Where your child slumbers is also essential. While we encourage independence, sleeping in the same room as your child can give you the edge in terms of emergency responses. Supervision may reduce the risks of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy). 

Furthermore, keep bedroom doors open and accessible. You never know when you need to make a quick run - you wouldn’t want the door to hold you back. Besides, the bolt could get stuck. As mentioned, remember to use low-lying beds.

5. Imbibe Good Sleep Habits

This can help kids control the frequency of their seizures to some extent. Set up realistic sleep and wake-up times and stick to it. Going to bed and waking up around the same time every day regulates the body clock. It trains the brain to associate with specific times of the day and night, maintaining calm and relaxation.

You could also opt for calm bedtime routines, such as reading a book or listening to soft music. Setting up routines like this is vital for improving relaxation, as it helps to ease the transition from the day’s activities to nighttime. Remember to keep the room dark, quiet, and devoid of any distractions, such as mobile phones and other gadgets.

6. Build a Supportive Network

Your child is everyone’s child. You don't have to manage it all alone. Ask yourself this, “What happens if I’m absent? Would the child cope without my presence?” If your answer is no, then it’s time to involve a caregiver, relative, or even neighbor. Share your strategies with them and ensure your emergency contacts are accessible.

Educate everyone at home on how to respond to seizures, such as turning the child onto their side, when to administer rescue medication, and when to seek emergency medical help. The key is to ensure you stay prepared, even while you’re absent.

How Much is Enough Sleep for Your Kids?

The right amount of sleep is essential. More is not always good, so maintaining just about the right amount is important. The National Sleep Foundation recommends these sleep times for the following age groups.

For newborns (0-3 months), 14 to 17 hours will suffice. Infants (4-11 months) require about 12 to 15 hours of sleep. 11-14 hours is appropriate for toddlers (1-2 years), while 10-13 hours is recommended for pre-schoolers (3-5 years).

As for school-aged children (6-13 years), 9 to 11 hours of quality sleep may be appropriate. Teenagers and young adults typically need between 7 and 10 hours of sleep.

Final Thoughts

Making bedtime safer for kids with epilepsy requires a multiple approach. The environment, sleep hygiene, and medications play a huge part in aiding sleep.

Therefore, combining these strategies can significantly enhance your kid’s sleep and also give you peace of mind.

Both you and your kid deserve a restful sleep!