Communicating with babies (birth to 2 years)

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HealthWiki > Epilepsy and Seizures > Chapter 8: Talking with children about epilepsy and seizures > Communicating with babies

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

• Chapter 8: Talking with children about epilepsy and seizures
• Communicating with babies (birth to 2 years)
• Talking with children 3 to 5 years old
• Talking with children 6 to 8 years old
• Talking with children 9 to 13 years old
• Talking with young people 14 to 18 years old
• Sex and relationships
• Talking with siblings about epilepsy
• For health workers

Seizures happen more often in babies and infants than at any other time in childhood. They can be caused by epilepsy or by fevers, difficult births, or other illness. Seizures in a baby can be sudden and short. Seizures with convulsions or other body movements can be hard to tell apart from other ways a baby moves their body, like flapping their arms, stretching their entire body, and eye movements.

Camila’s back! You are fine, Camila, and your mama is here with you.

By watching a baby’s movements, parents and caregivers can get clues about possible seizures, so the baby gets the right treatment. For example, repetitive movements like chewing, smacking lips, and leg-bicycling that happen many times close together is a possible seizure. The same actions happening just once or occasionally are not likely to be seizures.

Helping seizure recovery. We cannot know what a baby feels when they come out of a seizure, but they may feel anxious, confused, or uncomfortable. When a seizure ends and awareness returns, reassure them by holding them, speaking with them, and acknowledging that something happened and you are still there. Stay connected by maintaining eye contact or physical touch. It can be helpful to stay quiet and keep the lights dim. A calm environment that is easy on the senses may make it easier for a baby to recover from a seizure and feel safe.

Time to mix the medicine that Mai likes to take... Put it in the bottle and shake, shake, shake...

Communicating without words. Because they cannot speak, babies communicate with sounds and movements. For example, a baby cries, frowns, or squirms when wet or hungry. Cooing noises can mean your baby is feeling happy and comfortable. As you learn what sounds and facial expressions your baby makes at different times, you will begin to notice when there is something new or different in their mood and behavior.

Giving babies medicine. Taking daily antiseizure medicine may make a baby irritable or uncomfortable. A baby may try to avoid taking medicine by turning their head away from it, coughing, or spitting it out. Distract or calm your baby with love, care, and attention by speaking softly, singing, or gently massaging them when you give medicine. Make up a simple, reassuring song that lets the child know it is medicine time.

Seizure first aid training. If you need to leave a baby who has seizures with an older child or another caregiver, make sure the person knows what to do when a seizure happens. For information about seizure first aid, see Chapter 2.

Caring for fever seizures. A high fever (above 38°C or 100.4°F) may cause a seizure in a newborn or infant. When the fever lowers, the seizures typically go away but may return if the baby has another high fever. For information about fever seizures, see Chapter 3. For information about medicines to reduce fever, see Chapter 4.

Finding support. Caring for an infant and toddler, whether they have epilepsy or not, can be tiring. Ask for help, take time to rest, and be patient with yourself and your child. Your child’s epilepsy should not stop you from reaching out for support from family and friends, or from finding ways to enjoy the time you share with your baby.

For the health worker. When you care for a baby who has epilepsy or seizures, communicate as clearly as you can with parents and other caregivers. What causes seizures and how to care for a baby with epilepsy or seizures are complex topics. As you discuss these issues, share the most up-to-date medical information you have. When you cannot answer a question confidently, you can say, “I will find out and let you know”—and be sure to follow up. Make sure parents know how to reach you for advice or during an emergency.

It can also be helpful to arrange support from other parents of children with epilepsy. Identify or start support groups in your community to help connect people. For information about support groups, see Chapter 5.

How to communicate with children who have rare epilepsy syndromes

Parents and caregivers of children with rare childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), and West syndrome, among others, need additional support. These usually require lifetime care and management. Children with these syndromes may have delays learning to speak, difficulty speaking, or may remain nonverbal, but not all children will have the same level of disability. You can support their attempts to communicate with gestures, facial expressions, and signs. Guidance from a speech pathologist may help. Teaching them (and you!) the sign language used in your country will help their mental and social development. For information about rare childhood epilepsy syndromes, see Chapter 3.

This page was updated:24 May 2026