Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) Prevention for high school students

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Let’s see what we know so far

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All babies cry

• Crying is normal.

• Babies cry for many reasons.

• ALL babies will have times when they CANNOT stop crying.

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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?

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Normal infant crying

Adapted from the NCSBS and Ronald G. Barr, MDCM

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

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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

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Same baby ─ same day

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The crying game

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Soothing an irritable 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.

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Difficultdevelopmental

phases•Night crying

•Separation anxiety

•Exploratory behavior

•Negativism

•Loss of appetite

•Toilet training draft

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.

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Elijah’s Story

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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.

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

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Head movement during shaking

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Brain movement inside the skull

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Signs that a baby has been shaken

• Broken bones

• Unusual crying

• Sleepiness

• Pale or bluish skin

• Vomiting or refusing to eat

• Not breathing

• Unconsciousdraft

What are the long term results?• Even with prompt medical attention

many 1 of 4 infants dies.

• Those who survive may have lifelong medical conditions:

Blindness

Paralysis

Deafness

Learning disabilities

Coordination problems

Developmental disabilities

Seizures

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Risk factors for being a victim

• Age

• Gender

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

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Who would shake a baby?

Anyone, but some people are more at risk:

• Late teens and early 20s

• Males

• Inexperience with babies

• People with other risk factors – drug and alcohol use, mental illness, high stress, lack of self-control

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Rate the Risk Calculator

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The families - - - -

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Remember the Rule of

• Lay the baby on his back in his crib or another safe place.

• Stay feet or more away.• Slowly count to or take deep

breaths to calm yourself down.• After minutes, check on the baby• Repeat if necessary.• If you still feel stressed, call someone for

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It’s okay to ask for help

Someone who can come over right away and help like a family member or friend

• 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.

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My pledge

This hand will never harm a baby

Pass the message ondraft

This material was developed by the SBS Prevention K12 curriculum team

• Pamela Anderson – Middleton School District• Anne Haverland – Oshkosh School District• Nancy Graese – CESA 11• Nancy Merwin – Cuba City School District• Sue Mokler – Ripon School District• Wendi Schreiter – Wisconsin Shaken Baby

Association

With support from:• Children’s Trust Fund – Susan Abbey

• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction – Janice Atkinson

• Wisconsin Shaken Baby Association – Wendi Schreiter

These materials may not be used beyond their express intent without permission from the Wisconsin Children’s Trust Fund. Our goal is to protect the integrity of the material and educational techniques contained within this curriculum.