Hello! I am Dr. Balachandra.
Seeing your child have a seizure can be frightening. The most important thing is to stay calm, keep your child safe, and carefully note how long the seizure lasts.
Most seizures stop on their own within a few minutes. Knowing what to do can help you respond safely.
What Should You Do During a Seizure?
When a seizure starts:
- Stay calm and stay with your child.
- Move hard or dangerous objects away.
- Place your child safely on the floor and support the head with something soft.
- Loosen tight clothing around the neck.
- Turn your child onto their left side and keep the head supported.
- Note the exact time the seizure begins.
- Watch your child's breathing.
What Should You NEVER Do?
During a seizure:
• Never put anything in your child's mouth — not a spoon, cloth, finger or any other object.
• Do not hold down or restrain the child's movements.
• Do not give food, water or oral medicines during the seizure.
• Never leave your child alone.
If the Seizure Stops Within 5 Minutes
Keep your child in the recovery position on the left side and continue watching them.
Your child may be sleepy afterwards. Check for fever and, if relevant, whether any prescribed seizure medicine was missed. Inform your pediatrician about the episode.
If the Seizure Lasts More Than 5 Minutes
This is an emergency.
If your child's doctor has prescribed an emergency medicine such as midazolam nasal spray, use it according to the individual emergency plan and call 108 immediately.
Do not rely on a general dose guide from the internet for emergency seizure medication. The correct medicine and dose should be specifically prescribed and explained to you by your child's doctor.
When Should You Call 108?
Seek emergency help if:
• The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.
• Another seizure starts before your child fully recovers.
• Breathing is slow, difficult or stops.
• Your child is injured during the seizure.
• This is your child's first-ever seizure.
• You are frightened or uncertain about what is happening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put a spoon in my child's mouth during a seizure?
No. Never put anything in the mouth during a seizure.
Should I hold my child down?
No. Do not restrain the child's movements. Instead, remove nearby hazards and protect the head.
What is the most important thing to remember?
Stay calm, turn your child onto their side, time the seizure and stay with them.
When is a seizure an emergency?
A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, repeated seizures without recovery, breathing difficulty, significant injury or a first-ever seizure requires emergency medical attention.
Should I give water or medicine during the seizure?
No. Never give anything by mouth while the child is actively having a seizure.
Final Thoughts
A seizure can look terrifying, but your calm response can make a real difference.
Remember: SAFE + SIDE + TIME + STAY.
Keep the area safe. Turn your child to the side. Time the seizure. Stay with your child.
If the seizure continues beyond 5 minutes, use the child's prescribed emergency seizure plan and call 108 immediately.
If your child has experienced a seizure, recurrent episodes, fever-associated seizures or you are unsure how to prepare an emergency seizure plan, consult Dr. Balachandra B V, Consultant Pediatrician & Allergy Specialist, Chirayu Multispeciality Clinic, Kasturi Nagar, Bangalore.
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