"Shaken Baby Syndrome" is the result of when a young child’s head is whiplashed back and forth while being shaken. If a baby is shaken, they can be injured very easily. Their neck muscles are not strong enough to control head movements. Rapid head movement can cause the brain to be bruised from being banged against the skull wall. Bleeding behind the eyes and in and around the brain can also cause serious injury. Approximately 20% of cases are fatal. Signs and symptoms range on a spectrum of neurological alterations from minor (irritability, lethargy, tremors, vomiting) to major (seizures, partial or total blindness, paralysis, mental retardation, coma, stupor, death.) In constant and less violent shaking, a young child can have lifelong effects such as learning disorders, behavioral changes, and attention deficits.People usually shake children because they are constantly crying or they may have colic. Parents and childcare givers often get frustrated and angry and before you know it, they lose control. Other reasons why people shake babies are over: eating problems, toilet training, the child making noise, or their interruption of watching TV. Not knowing that baby shaking is harmful and dangerous is another factor.
Rather than shaking your baby, try these calming tips:
• Feed your baby slowly and burp him/her often.
• Give you baby a pacifier.
• Check your baby's diaper to see if it needs changing.
• Hold your baby against your chest and walk or rock him/her.
• Sing to your baby or play soft music.
• Take your baby for a ride in a stroller or car.
Be patient. If you don’t know how, learn. It will help your baby and … it will help you!
No matter how impatient or angry you feel, DO NOT SHAKE YOUR BABY.
If you find you’re at the end of your rope, wrap your baby snugly in a soft blanket. Put him/her in a safe, quiet, dark room, and close the door and take a break. If you can call someone you trust to take care of your baby, call them. When they arrive, go out and take a walk … a drive … do anything that will calm you down!
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