Safe Sleeping

When Weslee, my son, first started having seizures, the tonic clonics (grand mal) often happened first thing in the morning...just before awakening or as he awoke. I once found him pressed between his mattresses and the wall.

He was sleeping downstairs at the time, but soon after finding him in that awkward position, I made him move back upstairs.

If your kiddo has sleeping seizures too, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. No pillows, stuffed toys, extra blankets etc on the bed. If a twisting motion is made during a seizure, the child could suffocate. Research: SUDEP.
2. Some parents have the child sleep with them. It makes it easier to listen to breathing, or lack thereof, feel the bed vibrate with convulsions, and in general experience a slight bit of relief knowing you are right there.  This doesn't work for everyone, especially when older children are involved.
3. Get a bed monitor. Although many epileptologists (neuro docs who specialize in seizures)  won't actually recommend them as efficient, just as many parents swear by them.  Explanation: a special pad is placed under the top mattress. If it detects unusual vibrations, like convulsing, an alarm will sound and/or be sent to a cell phone.
4. Pulse/ox detector: I am in the process of getting one of these for Weslee to wear at night. He tends to stop breathing during his TCs.
5. SmartWatch: Same as the monitor. Physicians won't recommend it often but it often catches electrical spikes and will alert to your cell phone.
6. Pad around the bed.  The last time I bought a bed for Weslee (last year, at age 22), I got one with a trundle.  At night, he pulls it out on one side, and in the other side we unfold one of those cushion chairs to be like a mattress.  When he falls off of the bed, he lands on softness. No black eyes yet!

What else can we do to keep our kiddos safe at night?