SHAKEN BABY SYDROME SIGNS
The following information is provieded to you for your information only!!! Please remember to contact your local law enforcement if you feel/think that or your child is a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome!!
What Is Shaken Baby Syndrome
Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs when adults, frustrated and angry with children, shake them violently.
If you are a parent, or ever care for a baby, it is important to know the dangers of shaking.
You also need to tell everyone who cares for your baby, that it is NEVER okay to shake a baby.
Why is Shaking a baby a Danger?
A babies neck is too weak to support their heavy head.
Consequently, when shaken, their head flops back and forth, causing serious brain injury.
A baby's brain and the blood vessels connecting the skull to the brain are fragile and immature.
Shaken Baby Syndrome Is:
A serious brain injury
Occurs when a baby is violently shaken.
Occurs when a baby is slammed against a hard object.
Shaking usually is done out of anger or frustration.
Shaking must be of such force that an independent observer would recognize the act as dangerous.
Coping with a Crying Baby - Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome
An infant may spend 2 to 3 hours a day crying.
20%-30% of infants exceed that amount of time
A caregiver momentarily succumbs to the frustration of responding to a crying baby by shaking.
Caregivers may be inadequately prepared for children.
They may be under stress and connot deal with the frustrations of parenting.
The caregiver personalizes the infants crying as inadequate care-giving.
"Shaken Baby Syndrome" usually happens when a caregiver is angry and looses control.
Ways To Soothe A Crying Baby
Take the baby for a walk outside in a stroller or for a ride in the car seat.
Hold the baby against your chest and gently massage the baby.
Rock, walk, or dance with the baby.
Be patient; take a deep breath and count to ten (10)
Call a friend or relative that you can trust to take over for a while, then get away, get some rest, take care of yourself.
Offer a pacifier.
Lower any surrounding noise and lights.
Offer the baby a noisy toy; shake and rattle it.
Hold the baby and breathe slowly and calmly; the baby may feel your calmness and become quiet.
Sing or talk to the baby using soothing tones.
Record a sound, like a vacuum cleaner, or hair dryer.
If All Else Fails.......
If you suspect the baby is ill, has a fever, swollen gums, etc.
CALL A DOCTOR!!!!!!!!