https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:34:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260919 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 08:23:21 +0000 looch 1260919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have foscams all over our house, very useful </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260917 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 08:22:05 +0000 spaniellove 1260917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and I realized that since I'm not going to BF (as much as I'd hoped to) because passing on the meds interferes with growth, I think I'm going to ask my neuro to increase my dosage as soon as the baby is born. There's no reason I shouldn't have better seizure control by now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260879 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 08:01:06 +0000 spaniellove 1260879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for all the great suggestions! You've given me a lot to think about. Since I do get a fair amount of warning (and when I look back, I feel almost sick for a few hours before) it would probably work best to give DH a heads up so he can keep an eye on the baby online, and to have a spot in each room where I can easily set him or her down. I guess if I had to have seizures I'm fortunate to have the kind that I do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260868 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 07:53:27 +0000 mediagirl 1260868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: you're going to be a great mom!! :heart: I think if you just (like @mrs. bird said) baby proof the crap out of your house, you won't have much to worry about. Honestly, if I was incapacitated for 5 minutes, or even 10 minutes, I know my daughter would be safe with me in our house. She may stand over me, slapping my head or pulling my eyeballs open, but she would be safe. :)</p> <p>How long do you normally have between the aura and the seizure? - sorry if that is already answered.</p> <p>I hope you find a good forum for other moms with epilepsy!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260859 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 07:40:49 +0000 regberadaisy 1260859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: @LovelyPlum: thank you! Very interesting. Yea my college buddy's epilepsy was pretty severe and he never got any kind of warning. We were around for one during a late night at studio and scared the crap outta me bc I h<br /> Didn't know what to do. </p> <p>My brother never gets any kind of warnings when he gets one. It's usually in his sleep or he'll be standing and talking one minute and just fall and faint and have a seizure the next. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260716 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 02:00:06 +0000 lemondrop 1260716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like the idea of a life alert type of something to wear. </p> <p>Also even without medical concerns I usually try to avoid bath time when I'm home alone. I usually aim for it between dinner and bedtime when my husband is home. There are definitely times where it can't be avoided, but with our schedule it works out pretty well. </p> <p>You will do great! That's awesome that you are coming up with a plan at this point, I'm so excited for you guys </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260708 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 01:47:44 +0000 indi 1260708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: You will be an awesome ma, you're already doing a fabulous job of looking out for LO. I think the PPs had many great suggestions. Like @mrs. bird: said, perhaps look into something like Life Alert/local call-button nurses who can set up a plan with you (how much time to wait before coming or calling for assistance, etc). I'm wondering if there's even a quick way to have DH notified through the same push-button service, rather than having to find a place for baby, text DH, and activate the service. They may be able to set that up as one of their immediate responses. </p> <p>Between safe spots, reducing potential accidents (changing on the floor, bath tub with a quick-drain plug you can pull, etc) and informing your support system (close reliable neighbor, local assistance or med assistance, baby sitters), you seem to have all of your bases covered as best you can. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260652 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 23:36:28 +0000 mrsmate 1260652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Because you know when you're about to have a seizure maybe this is going overboard, but I would be wary of babywearing, since you could accidentally fall on your baby. And I would look into a stroller tether so that your stroller (and baby) won't roll away if you have a seizure. I'm pretty sure jogging strollers like BOB come with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260530 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 22:06:30 +0000 LovelyPlum 1260530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: it's state-specific whether or not you're allowed to drive. In some states, you can, but you have to wait a certain amount of time after a seizure. In others, you cannot. My sister is epileptic and allowed to drive (PA) but where we lived before (OH) and I'm pretty sure where we live now (NY) you can't get your license if you're epileptic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260524 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 22:03:17 +0000 mrs. bird 1260524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: depends on the type of seizures you have and your awareness of them. if you have just started having them, you can't drive, but if you've had them for some time and have always known ahead of time and the drs feel you have enough of an aura beforehand that you could safely pull over, they can allow you to drive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260516 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 21:59:19 +0000 mrs. bird 1260516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: you've gotten some excellent suggestions! i would baby proof the crap out of your house, that way even if you were out of it for a few minutes, it'd be unlikely LO would get in much trouble. my friend spent a lot of time on the floor with her LO rather than up on the bed or couch, she kept a pack'n'play in her bedroom and in the living room &amp; kept a RNP in the room with her (that thing was AWESOME!). also having a playspace set up for when LO gets more mobile is handy. there are services you can sign up for as a medical alert, where when you feel one coming on (there's also the option of getting a service dog that can warn you when one is coming! she had one, it was great) they can call for help for you if you don't respond within a certain amount of time. do you have a security system now? one of the things that ended up being a problem for her mom was during episodes the toddlers would leave the house, but a security system might help you prevent that from happening. having some part time help sounds great! anything to help you keep your stress level as low as possible and make sure you are able to catch a nap if you need to. i'd also make sure to go over your procedures with any help you hire, like how long they should allow you to seize before calling 911, etc. because when people have never witnessed one before, they can be a bit shaken and often overreact. </p> <p>FWIW, it sounds like yours are far more mild than hers, and even though she's had some pretty nasty ones, ones where she had to be intubated and kept in a medically induced coma after, never once was the baby harmed because she always made sure she was checking in with people throughout the day and she had lots of safe places to keep the baby if something were to happen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260483 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 21:43:12 +0000 spaniellove 1260483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: It's a valid question - I do drive and none of my epilepsy specialists have mentioned that I shouldn't, since I have some warning before my seizures. Fortunately we live in a community where nothing takes me more than 5-10 minutes from home, so it's easy to pull into a parking lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260442 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 21:28:17 +0000 regberadaisy 1260442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: I didn't think people with epilepsy are allowed? My college buddy wasn't allowed to. My brother doesn't even have epilepsy but has epileptic seizures and he's not allowed to drive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260439 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 21:27:04 +0000 Andrea 1260439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This may be too obvious, but do you drive? My BIL has epilepsy and didn't drive for a long time so your post made me think of that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260380 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 21:00:36 +0000 spaniellove 1260380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: @MsLipGloss: I'd be open to considering the cameras although we might have to work something out! </p> <p>There are some good tips in this link, although I like the practical tips you guys gave me!<br /> <a href="http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/livingwithepilepsy/gendertopics/womenshealthtopics/parentingconcerns.cfm" rel="nofollow">http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/livingwithepilepsy/gendertopics/womenshealthtopics/parentingconcerns.cfm</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260378 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:57:53 +0000 mrs. wagon 1260378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think pack n plays in all major areas is a great idea! You can get them used so easily since people want those big things out of their houses once their kids are bigger.</p> <p>Changing the baby on the floor shouldn't be a problem.. I keep changing pads on the ground with a changing station caddy upstairs and downstairs. And you can place a changing pad right on the ground. A bath seat with a buckle should be fine for bathing. </p> <p>I think it's great that you are getting all kinds of opinions and ideas now. You are gonna be a wonderful mom!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260367 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:54:06 +0000 MsLipGloss 1260367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: No. Although I know in theory anything is possible. I wasn't sure about it at first, but after the first couple of times I used them, I was okay with it. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260364 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:53:23 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1260364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: I think everyone has given you some great suggestions. You're going to be a kick ass momma. You're being so proactive about this! </p> <p>I second the idea of asking on an epilepsy forum -- someone might have a suggestion for something based on experience! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260361 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:51:35 +0000 regberadaisy 1260361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: in your case that is not ridiculous at all. The first few weeks after you bring baby home is so high stress. And from what I know of epilepsy stress aggravates it. So I think it would be a smart thing to do. I wonder, if you could apply for any kind of grant/assistance to help supplement the cost of this help since your condition is the reason why you need it?</p> <p>The camera is a great idea too, I think. A few Foscams? If DH has a smartphone he can view the feed remotely.</p> <p>I think perhaps perusing the forum might not be bad idea. I don't know if there are any moms on here who have epilepsy. But like anything else unless you've gone through it you just can't think of certain things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260359 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:49:49 +0000 spaniellove 1260359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: Do you ever feel like you don't have any privacy with the cameras? We've actually talked about adding cameras (mostly exterior) to our security system but I wasn't sure about feeling watched. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260358 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:49:21 +0000 Ra 1260358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Is there a neighbor nearby that could be available if needed? Perhaps you could call him/her to come over if you feel a seizure coming on. Obviously, there is no way to guarantee he/she would be home but it could be nice to have as a back up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260349 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:46:25 +0000 MsLipGloss 1260349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: I think extra help is a great idea . . . I know most new moms/ first time moms would welcome extra help even without your circumstances.</p> <p>Also, what about a security system or a couple of cameras in the house so that DH could see you and LO if you were in trouble? We have a system where there are two cameras in our house and we can view them remotely. We can't see the whole house, but we can see a big portion of our kitchen and living room, and we can see in our nursery, which is/are the rooms in which we spend most of our time with LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260337 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:40:08 +0000 spaniellove 1260337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: I think there's a forum? I used to read it when I was first diagnosed ages ago. </p> <p>Usually I get a chance to text DH when I think I'm going to have a seizure even though there's nothing he can do. I will be a SAHM, and under normal circumstances this might sound ridiculous but I'm thinking of maybe having someone around part-time to help out, at least in the beginning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260323 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:31:06 +0000 regberadaisy 1260323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: are there any support groups online for people who have epilepsy? I wonder if you can ask on there if there are fellow moms who will have some suggestions as well?</p> <p>I like the safe spots idea for the baby. Will you be SAHM with LO? I think you and DH and someone else should have a protocol in hand where he calls/text you every so often to check in so to speak. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260322 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:30:57 +0000 MsLipGloss 1260322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260319 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:30:01 +0000 spaniellove 1260319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: That's a good idea! Better than just setting them down and hoping they don't roll away or anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260279 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:14:31 +0000 .twist. 1260279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: best idea!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260278 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:12:59 +0000 LovelyPlum 1260278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: that is a GREAT idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260276 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:11:47 +0000 LovelyPlum 1260276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have many good ideas for you, but I second @mrs. bird: you are going to be an AWESOME mama. Good for you for being proactive about your sweet little one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-infant-safety#post-1260272 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:09:58 +0000 MsLipGloss 1260272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Maybe you can position several safe areas around the house, i.e., like a pack and play, mini crib, etc., so that when you get an aura, you can put LO inside the safe area until the seizure passes? </p>