Don't Shake Your Baby!

Taking care of a fussy baby, or a baby who cries and cannot be consoled, is very, very stressful. Sometimes, usually out of frustration, a caregiver will shake the baby forcefully, in an attempt to make him stop crying. Never shake a baby because his tiny, fragile brain may be damaged. 

It takes only a few seconds of shaking to cause irreversible brain damage in an infant. Further damage can occur if the shaking ends with the baby hitting something, like a wall or mattress. When a baby is shaken to the point where his brain is damaged, it is called shaken baby syndrome (SBS) or shaken impact syndrome. 

SBS is the leading cause of death in child abuse cases in the United States. The average age of the victims is between 3 and 8 months. In most cases, the person who injures the baby is a young male in his early 20s. He often is the baby's father or the mother's boyfriend.  

When a baby is shaken forcefully, the brain strikes the inside of the skull. This causes blood vessels and nerves to burst and the brain tissue to tear. Afterwards, the brain swells, causing more pressure and more damage. About half the babies who have SBS die. 

Children who survive may suffer: 

• Partial or total blindness 
• Hearing loss 
• Seizures 
• Developmental delays 
• Learning problems 
• Paralysis 
• Mental retardation

In mild cases, the baby may appear normal after the shaking. But over time, he may develop one or more of the problems listed above. Often a problem is first noticed when the child goes to school and has trouble learning or behaving. 

SBC can be totally prevented, especially when parents recognize when they are frustrated and get help to reduce stress.

What you should know about shaking a baby

What can parents do to help soothe a crying baby?

 

The Canadian Paediatric Society has information for parents about colic and crying. The following suggestions might also be helpful.

 • Check to see whether the crying is a signal that your baby needs something specific, like a diaper change, feeding, relief from being too hot or too cold, or attention, or has a fever .

 • Hold your baby. This will not spoil him. However, some babies do not like being passed from person to person.

 • Wrap or swaddle your baby in a soft blanket.

 • Turn off the lights and keep surroundings quiet. Too much stimulation can often trigger crying or make it worse.

 • Soft music, white noise or a gentle shushing noise can soothe some babies. 

 • Many babies are soothed by motion. Try walking with baby in a sling or in a stroller. Rock or sway with baby in a gentle, rhythmic motion. Or try going for a ride in a car.       

 • Sucking sometimes helps babies to calm and relax. You can provide this by allowing your baby to breastfeed or by offering a pacifier.

 • Give your baby a warm bath.

 

What if my baby keeps crying?

 

If your baby continues to cry after you've made sure there's no specific problem, try to stay calm and be aware of how you feel. Are you upset? Are you frustrated? Are you angry? Take a moment to relax. Here are some suggestions to help calm yourself:

 • If you feel like you might lose control, stop! Place your child safely in the crib, take a time-out and leave the child's room for a few minutes.

 • Take slow and deep breaths.

 • Say NO a few times loudly, or count to 10, 20 or 30..

 • Hold onto something soft.

 • Listen to gentle music or nature recordings.

 • Cry.

 • Take a shower.

 • Talk to a friend, family member, neighbour, or anyone else you trust, and get some support.

 • If you ever feel you may hurt your baby, call for help: a local crisis line, your child welfare agency, or police. Check the first pages of you local phone book for the emergency numbers in your area.

 

What are the signs a baby may have been shaken?

 

Common signs include:

 • Unusual sleepiness or extreme fussiness

 • Refusing to eat, poor feeding or vomiting for no apparent reason

 • Usual smiling, eye-contact, babbling responses are lost

 • Body stiffness or seizures(legs and arms become stiff or uncontrollable)

 • Appears to have difficulty breathing

 • Eyes are not focused, pupils size is unequal or your baby can't follow a movement with his eyes

 

What should you do if you think your baby has been shaken?

 • Call 911, see your doctor or got to an emergency room immediately.

 • If your baby stops breathing or has seizures before emergency help arrives, call 911.

 • If your baby is vomiting, gently roll her whole body to one side at the same time (like rolling a log) while supporting the neck to prevent choking and breathing in the vomit.

 

Shaking is not first aid! 

 

If your baby is not breathing, shaking will not help. The only way to help a baby breathe is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (mouth-to-mouth breathing). Call 911 and start mouth-to-mouth breathing. Many community organizations, such as St. John Ambulance or Red Cross, offer inexpensive or free courses for these first-aid skills.

 

Where can new parents go for help and support?

 

Being a parent or caregiver is not easy. A baby's constant crying can be stressful, and can cause you to feel frustrated. You're probably not sleeping much while trying to meet your baby's needs around the clock.

 

Try to arrange for regular child care relief so you can get some rest. Find a friend, family member or someone else you trust who can look after your baby for short periods while you get a break. If people that you trust offer help, accept it. Know your caregiver. Never leave your child with someone you don't trust, or someone who has violent reactions.

 

Remember, no matter how upset you feel, DON'T SHAKE YOUR BABY.

 

If you have concerns or questions, talk to your paediatrician, family doctor, or public health nurse, and look for local community resources that support parents.

 

Don't harm a baby in a moment of frustration. The effects could last a lifetime.

Never Shake Your Baby

What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?

 

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a type of Abusive Head Trauma (AHT). The victims are babies who have are shaken violently and repetitively with or without the head hitting something. The effects can be very serious and can include lifelong injury or even death.

 

SBS or AHT can cause:

 • Damage to a child's brain.

 • Permanent disabilities, like blindness or paralysis.

 • Death.

 

Children less than 1 year old are the most at risk because they cry more often, but older children can also be seriously injured if they are shaken violently. No child, at any age, should ever be shaken.

When Do Babies Cry? 

Babies usually cry because they need something. Normal babies cry when they are: 

• Hungry 
• Tired 
• Wet 
• Uncomfortable 

Healthy babies might cry up to two or three hours a day. A baby with colic may cry all day long. Sometimes your baby just wants to be picked up and held.  

Things To Try 

• Give the baby a bottle of boiled water after it has been cooled 
• Gently rub the baby's tummy 
• Offer a pacifier—sucking is a comfort 
• Walk or rock the baby snuggled up close to your chest so the baby can feel your heartbeat 
• Take the baby for a walk in the fresh air 
• Sing or talk to your baby 
• Wrap the baby in a soft blanket 
• Call a friend or relative to talk about your frustration or see if they can relieve you for a while