NEVER SHAKE A BABY!
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Babies or small children who suffer injury of death from severe shaking or jerking are victims of what is called Shaken Baby Syndrome. Sometimes a young child's crying or need for attention can be more than tired parents or caregivers can cope with. In frustration, without knowing the dangers, they may shake a baby or small child to get its attention or to make it stop crying.
Children under two can easily be injured from shaking because their weak neck muscles aren't yet strong enough to fully control their head movements. When a child is shaken, the head whips back and forth, slamming the fragile brain tissue against the hard skull, causing bruising, bleeding and swelling inside the brain. When the shaking is combined with throwing the baby against the crib mattress or pillow, even more force is applied to the brain and more damage can occur.
Half of the children who are victims of SBS die from their injuries. Depending on the age of the child and how severe the shaking, injuries can include:
Preventing SBS
Shaken Baby Syndrome Can Be Prevented! Although the effects of SBS are frightening and tragic, the reassuring news is that, unlike some diseases that disable or kill children, SBS can be avoided. Follow the important steps described here, and remember: Never shake a baby! Even a brief moment of vigorous shaking can cause serious and permanent damage.
Make sure that everyone who cares for your child knows about the dangers of shaking. This includes friends, relatives, babysitters, child care providers, brothers and sisters, and especially anyone who has had little or no experience caring for babies or young children. Surveys indicate that two-thirds of offenders are males, often in their early 20's, many with no previous history of abuse offenses or substance abuse problems. Half tend to be the child's natural parent. The other half include boyfriends of the mother, non-relative caregivers and stepparents.
Support your baby's head and neck when holding or transporting him or her. Be sure to tell others who care for your infant to do the same.
Always play gently with your baby. Never throw or toss your baby in the air, swing your baby by the ankles or jog with a young infant on your back.
Most importantly, know what to do when your baby of child cries. Crying, particulary the constant crying of a colicky baby, is the behavior that most often triggers an episode of severe shaking.