Shaken Baby Syndrome
SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME INFORMATION (DOWNLOAD PDF) 
Never Shake A Baby, Ever!
Warning: Even moderate shaking can result in blindness, permanent
brain damage or death.
The Dangers of Shaken Baby Syndrome
There is no one type of person who will
shake a baby. Every one from young babysitters
to grandparents have done it. Usually
it's done to make a baby or young child stop
crying. But it often only makes the situation
worse, causing more vigorous shaking, until
brain damage or death occurs. You probably
aren't aware of the dangers of shaking a
baby. Most people aren't in fact, it's estimated
that between 25 and 50 percent of parents
and caregivers aren't aware of the serious
dangers of shaking a baby.
Here's what can happen
Infants and young children up to age 5 are
susceptible to head trauma because their
neck muscles are weak and can't always
support the size of their heads. Sudden
shaking motion causes the baby's fragile
brain to slam against the skull wall, causing
damage or death. It's so deadly, in fact, that
almost 25 percent of its victims die.
Damage to a child's brain from shaking can
affect many different parts of the child's
body. These effects can be devastating, they
include:
- Death
- Cerebral Palsy
- Severe motor dysfunction
- Communication impairment
- Dyslexia
- Attention deficit disorder
- Mental retardation and learning disabilities
YOU CAN PREVENT SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME
- Leave the baby in a safe and secure place then take deep breaths and count to 10.
- Go to another room or out of the house.
- Ask someone else to watch the baby for you, a parent, neighbor or friend.
- Gently rock or give the baby a pacifier.
- Take the baby out of the house for a ride in a stroller or a car.
- Be patient, if you find that you cannot calmly take care of your baby, and are having trouble managing your anger, take a break and let the baby work it out.
Remember, no matter how angry or impatient you feel, Never Shake A Baby!
Helpful Resources: 1-800-4A-CHILD or 1-800-CHILDREN
