Some children with epilepsy find it difficult to control their body temperature, so it's very important to make sure they stay as cool as possible in hot weather. Overheating can be a seizure trigger for some. Here are some top tips to share for keeping babies and children cool in the Summer months...
Alex"It feels like my daughter's seizures are worse when it’s above 18 degrees outside. We’ve been batch-whizzing-up yogurt, cream, butter and strawberries and popping it in the lovely purple ice pop moulds from The Daisy Garland."
Sharon"Saved up DLA and got air con installed in my daughter's room!"
Julie"We do ice pops, ice-cream, sit in the shade with our feet in a bowl of cold water, playing card or board games. We also use a fan indoors, have a Chillmax pillow for her bed and wrap a dampened flannel round her neck when really hot - it doesn't look attractive but it works! This year I think I'll also encourage her to water her plants and herself at the same time! I've also just bought a Kylie chair pad for my daughter. It's more for when she loses bladder control during seizures but it'll be good for when we need to use her wheelchair in the summer to stop her sticking to the cushion."
Simmone"We usually stay inside because my son is vitamin D deficient and as he's non-mobile with pale skin he catches the sun. We use floppy hats and ladies sarongs a thin material draped at the back of his neck or his legs. I also cover his legs with a slightly damp towel so it protects him from sunburn and is cool on his legs as he can't move to keep cool. We use p20 factor 50, which I really recommend it as it’s not slippy if your child's non-mobile, and we reapply it regularly and he’s only ever caught sun a bit once. If your child has a peg try flavoured lip balms my son lets us moisten with a flannel. We do add extra flushes. So remember in-between feeds, if you need a drink, your peg-fed child maybe could do with a little flush too."
Leila "We chill our son's bed sheets in a sandwich bag in the fridge, removing them and making up the bed just before he goes to bed and we fill a hot water bottle with cold water and put in the freezer each day so he goes to bed with cold sheets and a cold hot water bottle inside a pillow case each night. This does the trick and keeps him cool!"
Julia"After yet another seizure yesterday, hubby got in his car and bought a tower fan from ToolStation which I'd recommend. School have said they can wear PE kit for the next 2 weeks. We also have a Chillmax pillow that we pop inside her pillowcase. And our freezer is well-stocked with ice cubes and sugar free squash ice lollies."
Albena"Air conditioning (AC) on 23. Check your car's AC and refill freon if needed. If travelling move from an AC place to an AC place. Keep away from direct sun. Keep really well hydrated."
Natalia"Try fast meals, yogurts, soups, lots of fruit and ice cream."
Dawn"We’ve changed our day a wee bit, getting up and out by 8am, then back in the house by 12 noon, eating and drinking by 1pm, then afternoon nap with music and fan on....waking at 5pm eating then walking the dogs and back indoors and bed at 9pm."
Isabel"I've got people reminding me to stay hydrated, I am loading up with suncream and when out and about, a sunhat is a must! Things like cucumber and celery are very hydrating snacks, so very good for cooling down. Making sure to keep salt levels high too, as people often forget that when it's hot and it's very important. We also find mist bottles a god send, as it allows the skin to get cooler quicker xx"
Chloe"Reusable ice lolly moulds… use my protein flavdrops with water to make ice pops."
Lindsay"The cooling towels from Dock and Bay look good, we haven't tried one but we purchased our beach towels from here and they're amazing."
Nadia "We stay indoors in a cool room with an air cooler and sometimes with blinds down. Never take my son out in the heat."
Carrie"We stay indoors with blinds down. But if we do get caught out and it turns really warm when we're out, we have a huge hood over the pram for shade and hand held fans. I also carry a spray bottle filled with water (I use it to do the kids hair) but I spray that on my daughter. It sounds mean but she loves it, it cools her down without too drastic a temperature change. "
Lindsay "Some drugs can affect the rate your body can cool down. My daughter has just started Zonisamide and I read that this can affect her ability to cool down."
Julie"We keep windows and blinds closed while sunny if it's really hot. Have fans in bedrooms. We sit and play board games in the shade (if there's a good breeze) while having our feet in a basin of cold water! A damp cold cloth to hold, cools down sweaty hands and wrists. We make ice pops, ice cream and cold meals (salad or BBQ!)."
Tara
"We bought a portable air con unit as the heat is unbearable for my child if too warm. I know they eat electric, but if it keeps my daughter cool so she doesn't have any heat related seizures so it's worth it! It's such a lifesaver. I wanted to sleep in her room as it was so cool! Before I tried all sorts too...paddling pool, ice-blocks, freezing gel pads and chilled hot water bottles, freezing rice in socks putting a frozen bottle in front of a fan..."
Heather
"Can’t recommend a cooling vest enough. This has been a god send for my son. It’s made of space-age type material that you soak in water and wring out, it’s wet and cool but feels dry on the skin, no idea how it works but it’s been amazing!"
Zoë"We hide inside, away from the heat if is just too hot!"
Nikki"Electric fans, paddling pools, parasols, and lots of cool drinks."
Sadia"I'm using a dog's large cooling mat that I picked up from B&M, we then place it where my daughter is most for her to lie on."