Say yes to preventing shaken baby syndrome

  • Published
  • Whiteman Family Advocacy Program
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Did You Know:

  • Shaking an infant can cause brain damage, blindness, mental retardation, and even death.
  • Head trauma is the leading cause of disability and death among abused infants and children. Violent shaking is involved in many of these cases.
  • Although professionals have been calling for a campaign to alert parents for decades, less than half of all Americans are aware that shaking a baby can lead to brain damage and death.
Never Shake a Baby!

Shaken baby syndrome most often occurs when parents or people who care for children become frustrated or angry with a child. Instead of shaking, there are many safer ways to handle a crying baby:
  • Check first to see if the baby is hungry, wet, or uncomfortable.
  • Try giving the baby a pacifier or teething ring.
  • Take the baby for a walk or a ride in the car.
  • Try hugging the child, gently rocking or carrying him.
If you find yourself getting angry or upset, ask someone trustworthy to sit with the baby while you take a break. If all else fails, leave the baby in a safe place, such as a crib, and step out of the room or go outside until you feel more in control.

Play Safely

Occasionally a parent or person who cares for a child causes unintentional harm by playing too roughly, throwing a small child into the air too vigorously, or hitting an infant too hard on the back. Although parents should not be afraid to handle their children, or to let others play with them, they should remember to be gentle.

Always take care when handling a child younger than age 5. Make sure that anyone who cares for your child knows that children should never be shaken for any reason.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time for all of us to realize the role we can play in preventing child abuse. Say yes to preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome. For more information please call Jeannine M. Johnson, MSW, Family Advocacy Outreach Manager or Mae Hertig, RN, Family Advocacy Nurse at 687-4341.

Remember protecting children is everyone's mission.