SEIZURES

Seizures are a less common symptom of NAS. Seizures are sudden uncontrolled shaking, convulsion, twitching, and/ or eye rolling or fluttering of the eyes. Some seizures present as Absence Seizures (staring spells/blanking out) and/or nocturnal seizures (night seizures - waking up crying/disoriented). Seizures are a sign of impact on the central nervous system. You will likely not be able to tell if your baby is having a seizure, but you should let your baby’s doctor know; they may order an EEG or refer you to a child neurologist. If your baby is having seizures, they will likely be given medication to control the seizures. However, there are things you can do that help babies who have seizures. Note that Seizures can cause your baby to be irritable and/or cry more and can also happen during sleep causing them to wake up (disoriented and irritable). Assisting your baby with some interventions suggested below can be helpful.

NOTE: The Following Videos found in this kit under the Parenting Tips from Specialists will provide more information and/or demonstration that might be useful for some of the interventions recommended here.

NAS: Early Interventions

STRATEGIES BY DISCIPLINE

NEURODEVELOPMENT

  • Avoid fast movements or position changes for the baby.

  • Handle the baby gently and give the baby intention movements; place your hand on your chest every time before you pick them up.

  • Make sure the baby is well supported when picking them up and holding them.

  • Provide a calm and supportive environment – make sure to have a medical professional provide you with strategies to do if your baby has a seizure.

  • While it is strongly recommended that there be NO screen time (tv, phones, tablets etc) until a child is 2 years of age. With infants with seizures it is even more important that there be no screens in their environment (flashing lights and quick changes in visual information (scenes change frequently or are choppy) can trigger seizures).

MEDICAL

  • Determine if there are seizures by evaluation with your baby’s doctor or child neurologist.

  • Let your baby’s doctor know about the Seizures (it is helpful to let them know when they occur, how often, and what parts of the body are involved) so they can do a thorough examination.

  • Make sure that the baby’s environment is not too stimulating.

  • Work with nursing if necessary to find ways to decrease amounts of handling (ways to provide comfort/pliable restrictions/swaddling during handling like diaper changes, bathing, and feeding etc.).

  • Swaddling can be used to provide calming during or after seizure. Make sure to use safe swaddling instructions offered by the manufacturer AND do not swaddle arms in if the baby can roll over.

NURSING

  • Tell your Baby’s doctor about the Seizures. Ask if baby should see a child neurologist.

  • Ask nursing care at your doctors office to help you learn strategies to keep your baby safe during a seizure.

  • Swaddling especially to calm when Seizures create irritability. Make sure to use safe swaddling instructions offered by the manufacturer AND do not swaddle arms in if the baby can roll over.

  • Use of a pacifier to calm the infant can reduce fussiness around seizures.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

  • Swaddling during feeds, handling the baby and sleep will help with reduction and impact of Seizures. Make sure to use safe swaddling instructions offered by the manufacturer AND do not swaddle arms in if the baby can roll over.

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

  •  Be very aware of Seizures and use safety strategies;

    • stop the feeding and/or remove a pacifier when a seizure is suspected and/or while occurring.

    • Ensure that your baby is alert and awake when feeding.

    • Watch for hunger cues after feeding to identify a post seizure feeding schedule.