Shaken Baby Syndrome PreventionTraining for Child Care Providers

Activity: Let’s get acquainted

Prevent Violence Against Children Act(Shaken Baby Syndrome Act)

Activity: Learning to relax

Activity: Learning to relax (cont.)

All babies cry

• Crying is normal.• Babies cry for many reasons.• ALL babies will have times when they

CANNOT stop crying.

Babies cry to communicate

Quotes about 12-year-old 2-month-old

Hunger “When’s dinner? I’m starved.”

Discomfort “I’m not wearing these dress pants. They’re too tight.”

Over-stimulation “Leave me alone.”

Under-stimulation “I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.”

Fatigue “I’ve had a long day”

“CRY!”

“CRY!”

“CRY!”

“CRY!”

“CRY!”

Normal infant crying

Adapted from the NCSBS and Ronald G. Barr, MDCM

The amount of crying: • Changes over time• Varies among normally-developing babies

The period of PURPLE crying

From the NCSBS and Ronald G. Barr, MDCM

Peak pattern

UnpredictableResistant to soothing

Pain-like face

Long bouts

Evening cry

What is colic?• “Colic” suggests intestinal distress• Is something medically wrong with the

baby?• Is the baby in pain?• Does “infant colic”

simply refer to ababy that cries a lot?

What if the baby cries a lot?• “Colic” is extreme, but normal, crying.• Crying will greatly decrease by the time the

baby is 3 to 4 months old.• Colicky infants show no lasting harm.• Get help if the crying is a problem for you or

the baby.• Normal doesn’t mean easy!

Same baby ─ same day

The crying game

Soothing a baby

• Feed baby slowly and burpbaby often.

• Make baby as comfortableas possible, for example,check temperature and diaper.

• Provide gentle motionor relaxing sound.

• Is baby hungry? Thirsty?Bored? Anxious? Sleepy?

• Understand that all babies have times when they cannot stop crying.

Pre-anger

Heating up

Before boiling over

Don’t let yourself boil over.

Anger

Anger workout

Accept

Name

Get it out

Energize

Resume

A tired, frustrated caregiver and a crying baby can be a deadly combination leading a parent or other caregiver to shake a baby in a moment of frustration.

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)What is it?

• SBS is a medical term used to describe the injuries that can result if a baby is violently shaken.

• The younger the baby, the greater the risk of harm.

• Violent shaking is one of the most devastating forms of child abuse.

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)What is it? (cont.)

Early symptoms of shaking

• Irritability• Lethargy,

sleepiness• Feeding problems• Vomiting• Dilated pupils

• Poor muscle tone• Pale or bluish skin• Seizures• Not breathing• Loss of

consciousness

Other physical signs

• Rib fractures• Fractures of long bones in the arms or legs• External wound or bruise to head

Emergency response

Call 911 • If the child stops breathing, begin CPR.• If the child is vomiting, turn the child to

prevent choking or aspiration.• Do NOT pick up or shake the child!

What is the result?• Even with prompt medical attention many

victims die.• Those who survive may have:

Blindness Paralysis Deafness Broken bones

Learning disabilities Coordination problems Developmental challenges Seizures

The most common reason given for shaking a baby is that the baby wouldn’t stop crying.

Risk factors for being a victim

• Age• Gender• Greater demands for

care, for example illness, pre-maturity, or other special needs of some kind

Anyone, but some people are more at risk:• Parents and other caregivers• Late teens and early 20s• Males• People with other risk factors – drug and

alcohol use, mental illness, lack ofself-control, inexperience with babies,high stress

Who would shake a baby?

When a baby can’t stop crying• Try different ways to soothe the baby.• Know that a comforted baby doesn’t

always mean a quiet baby.• Know that crying isn’t always a sign that

something is wrong.• If at anytime you start feeling tense or

frustrated, it is important for you to take a break.

It is more important to stay calm than to stop the crying

• Put the baby in a safe place.• Shut the door. Leave for 10- to

15-minutes.• If you are calm, try again to soothe

the baby.• If you are not calm, seek help.

Call someone.

Babies cry. Have a plan.

Activity:Difficultdevelopmentalphases

Activity: Self-calming brainstorm

It’s okay to ask for help• Someone who can

come over right away and help

• The baby’s doctor, or nurse helpline

• Local community resources

Have the phone numbers of people who can help when the crying is too much.

Activity: Building a support system

“Portrait of Promise” DVD

Babies cry.Have a plan…• To soothe the baby• To calm yourself• For who you can

call for help

Remember… • All babies cry. • It is more important for you to stay calm

than to stop the crying.• Plan ahead for who you will call when you

need help.• Never shake a baby for any reason.

Babies cry. Have a plan.

http:wctf.state.wi.us

A special thanks to the Alberta, Canada, Shaken Baby SyndromePrevention Network for generously sharing materials and expertise.