Shaken Baby Syndrome
What Every Parent Needs to Know About Shaken Baby Syndrome
 Babies can't talk!
They cry when they are unhappy or have a problem.
Babies may cry because they are:
- Wet
- Hungry
- Lonely
- Hot or Cold
- Scared
- Want to be held or rocked
Sometimes babies cry no matter what you do!
It is never okay to shake or hit your baby! Shaking or hitting your
baby can cause:
- Blindness
- Bleeding in the brain
- Brain damage
- Mental retardation
- Death
It only takes once to hurt your baby for the rest of his or her life!
You can comfort your baby by:
- Changing his diaper
- Feeding her
- Holding or carrying him
- Wrapping or unwrapping her blanket
- Gentle rocking
- Taking him for a walk outside
You can comfort yourself by:
- Taking a break--lay your baby down and go to another room
- Breathing slowly and deeply
- Asking for help--have your partner, mom or a friend take
over
- Calling a friend or relative to talk
- Remember that your baby is not trying to upset you on
purpose
|
Remember--all parents feel worried, tense, frustrated and tired
sometimes. It's okay to feel this way. Just remember to never take your
feelings out on your baby.
|
Babies' necks are weak and their heads wobble easily .
- Never shake your baby.
- Never bounce your baby
- Never toss your baby in the air.
- Never hit your baby.
- Never jerk your baby around.
- Never swing your baby by his arms or legs.
- Never pick up your baby by one arm.
Where can you go for help?
| Call your health care provider |
| They can check your baby and make sure your baby is healthy. |
| They can give you advice on ways to calm your baby. |
| Join with a group of new parents like yourself: |
| Call your health care provider, clinic, care coordinator or The
Gift of Life Foundation for more information. |
|
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