How Can I Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome?
- Never shake a child for any reason.
- Always provide support for a baby's head when holding, playing with or transporting him.
- Learn what to do if a baby won't stop crying. Remember, all babies cry.
- Make sure that everyone who cares for your baby knows the dangers of shaking a baby.
- Always play gently with a baby. Never throw or toss a baby in the air.
How Can I Relieve My Frustration?
When you are tired, angry or frustrated with a baby, do the following for yourself:
- Caring for a child can be tiring. Stop and think about why you are so upset. Remember that the baby doesn't hate you or want to ruin your life. You are not a bad caregiver when a baby cries. Your job is to make the baby comfortable and not necessarily to stop the crying.
- Sit or lie down and close your eyes; think of a pleasant place. Stay quiet for several minutes.
- Call a friend or relative and talk about your frustration or see if someone can take care of the baby for a while.
- Call your child's doctor or health clinic if you feel frustrated and angry with your child because of crying, toilet training, feeding, sleep problems, constant interruptions or other behavior. Ask for specific things to do to change the situation. Keep talking to your doctor or nurse about the problems until they get better.
What Is Shaken Baby Syndrome?
Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs when a baby is vigorously shaken by a caregiver, usually out of frustration because the baby won't stop crying.
What Happens to the Baby?
Hard shaking causes a baby's head to whip back and forth, slamming the brain repeatedly against the skull. When this happens, blood vessels to the brain are broken, causing the brain to swell and bleed. This can result in:
- Brain damage
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Mental retardation
- Blindness
- Even DEATH
What if a Baby Is Shaken?
Get the baby to the emergency room immediately, even if you feel embarrassed or guilty. Quick medical attention may save the baby's life.
How Does It Happen?
It usually happens out of frustration and anger. If a baby continues to cry, won't eat, won't lie still for a diaper change or continues other frustrating behaviors, a caregiver may get the urge to shake the baby because he is upset. Shaking a baby is not the answer to frustration. It will only make the situation worse.
What if Crying Won't Stop?
- Meet the baby's basic needs: slowly feed and burp the baby, change his diaper, make him feel comfortable.
- Check for signs of illness.
- Sing or talk quietly to the baby.
- Give the baby a pacifier.
- Walk with the baby.
- Rock the baby, holding him close to you and supporting the baby's head.
- Take the baby for a ride in a car (in a car safety seat).
- If nothing works, put the baby in a safe place like a crib, close the door and go into another room. Check on the baby every 10 minutes.
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